● THE INDEX MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IF LATER FUTURES CONTRACTS HAVE HIGHER PRICES THAN AN
EXPIRING FUTURES CONTRACT INCLUDED IN THE INDEX -
As the Futures Contracts included in the Index come to expiration, they are replaced by Futures Contracts that expire three months
later. This is accomplished by synthetically selling the expiring Futures Contract and synthetically purchasing the Futures Contract
that expires three months from that time. This process is referred to as "rolling." Excluding other considerations, if the market for
the Futures Contracts is in "contango," where the prices are higher in the distant delivery months than in the nearer delivery
months, the purchase of the later Futures Contract would take place at a price that is higher than the price of the expiring Futures
Contract, thereby creating a negative "roll yield." In addition, excluding other considerations, if the market for the Futures Contracts
is in "backwardation," where the prices are lower in the distant delivery months than in the nearer delivery months, the purchase of
the later Futures Contract would take place at a price that is lower than the price of the expiring Futures Contract, thereby creating
a positive "roll yield." The presence of contango in the market for the Futures Contracts could adversely affect the level of the
Index and, accordingly, any payment on the notes.
● THE INDEX IS AN EXCESS RETURN INDEX THAT DOES NOT REFLECT "TOTAL RETURNS" -
The Index is an excess return index that does not reflect total returns. The return from investing in futures contracts derives from
three sources: (a) changes in the price of the relevant futures contracts (which is known as the "price return"); (b) any profit or loss
realized when rolling the relevant futures contracts (which is known as the "roll return"); and (c) any interest earned on the cash
deposited as collateral for the purchase of the relevant futures contracts (which is known as the "collateral return").
The Index measures the returns accrued from investing in uncollateralized futures contracts (i.e., the sum of the price return and
the roll return associated with an investment in the Futures Contracts). By contrast, a total return index, in addition to reflecting
those returns, would also reflect interest that could be earned on funds committed to the trading of the Futures Contracts (i.e., the
collateral return associated with an investment in the Futures Contracts). Investing in the notes will not generate the same return
as would be generated from investing in a total return index related to the Futures Contracts.
● AN INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES IS SUBJECT TO RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SMALL-CAPITALIZATION STOCKS -
Small-capitalization companies may be less able to withstand adverse economic, market, trade and competitive conditions relative
to larger companies. Small-capitalization companies are less likely to pay dividends on their stocks, and the presence of a
dividend payment could be a factor that limits downward stock price pressure under adverse market conditions.
● CONCENTRATION RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INDEX MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE VALUE OF YOUR NOTES -
The Index generally provides exposure to a single futures contract on the Russell 2000® Index that trades on the Chicago
Mercantile Exchange. Accordingly, the notes are less diversified than other funds, investment portfolios or indices investing in or
tracking a broader range of products and, therefore, could experience greater volatility. You should be aware that other indices
may be more diversified than the Index in terms of both the number and variety of futures contracts. You will not benefit, with
respect to the notes, from any of the advantages of a diversified investment and will bear the risks of a highly concentrated
investment.
● THE INDEX IS SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FUTURES CONTRACTS, INCLUDING VOLATILITY -
The Index tracks the returns of futures contracts. The price of a futures contract depends not only on the price of the underlying
asset referenced by the futures contract, but also on a range of other factors, including but not limited to changing supply and
demand relationships, interest rates, governmental and regulatory policies and the policies of the exchanges on which the futures
contracts trade. In addition, the futures markets are subject to temporary distortions or other disruptions due to various factors,
including the lack of liquidity in the markets, the participation of speculators and government regulation and intervention. These
factors and others can cause the prices of futures contracts to be volatile.
● SUSPENSION OR DISRUPTIONS OF MARKET TRADING IN FUTURES CONTRACTS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE
VALUE OF YOUR NOTES -
Futures markets like the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the market for the Futures Contracts, are subject to temporary distortions
or other disruptions due to various factors, including the lack of liquidity in the markets, the participation of speculators, and
government regulation and intervention. In addition, futures exchanges have regulations that limit the amount of fluctuation in
some futures contract prices that may occur during a single day. These limits are generally referred to as "daily price fluctuation
limits" and the maximum or minimum price of a contract on any given day as a result of these limits is referred to as a "limit price."
Once the limit price has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made at a price beyond the limit, or trading may
be limited for a set period of time. Limit prices have the effect of precluding trading in a particular contract or forcing the liquidation
of contracts at potentially disadvantageous times or prices. These circumstances could affect the level of the Index and therefore
could affect adversely the value of your notes.
● THE OFFICIAL SETTLEMENT PRICE AND INTRADAY TRADING PRICES OF THE RELEVANT FUTURES CONTRACTS MAY
NOT BE READILY AVAILABLE -
The official settlement price and intraday trading prices of the Futures Contracts are calculated and published by the Chicago
Mercantile Exchange and are used to calculate the levels of the Index. Any disruption in trading of the Futures Contracts could
delay the release or availability of the official settlement price and intraday trading prices and may delay or prevent the calculation
of the Index.
● CHANGES IN THE MARGIN REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FUTURES CONTRACTS INCLUDED IN THE INDEX MAY
ADVERSELY AFFECT THE VALUE OF THE NOTES -
Futures exchanges require market participants to post collateral in order to open and to keep open positions in futures contracts. If
an exchange changes the amount of collateral required to be posted to hold positions in the Futures Contracts, market participants
may adjust their positions, which may affect the prices of the Futures Contracts. As a result, the level of the Index may be affected,
which may adversely affect the value of the notes.