and cross-shareholdings in non-U.S. companies, may affect trading prices and volumes in that market. Also, there is generally less publicly available information about non-U.S. companies than about U.S. companies that are subject to the reporting requirements of the SEC. Further, non-U.S. companies are likely subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies. The prices of securities in a non-U.S. country are subject to political, economic, financial and social factors that are unique to such non-U.S. country's geographical region. These factors include: recent changes, or the possibility of future changes, in the applicable non-U.S. government's economic and fiscal policies; the possible implementation of, or changes in, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions applicable to non-U.S. companies or investments in non-U.S. equity securities; fluctuations, or the possibility of fluctuations, in currency exchange rates; and the possibility of outbreaks of hostility, political instability, natural disaster or adverse public health developments. Any one of these factors, or the combination of more than one of these or other factors, could negatively affect such non-U.S. securities market and the prices of securities therein. Further, geographical regions may react to global factors in different ways, which may cause the prices of securities in a non-U.S. securities market to fluctuate in a way that differs from those of securities in the U.S. securities market or other non-U.S. securities markets. Non-U.S. economies may also differ from the U.S. economy in important respects, including growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources and self-sufficiency, which may have a positive or negative effect on non-U.S. securities prices.
The securities may also be subject to regulatory risks, including sanctions, because the EURO STOXX 50® Index is comprised, at least in part, of stocks that are traded in one or more non-U.S. securities markets. For instance, pursuant to U.S. executive orders, U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions in publicly traded securities of certain companies that are determined to be linked to the military, intelligence and security apparatus of the People’s Republic of China. The prohibition also covers any securities that are derivative of, or are designed to provide investment exposure to, such securities. Actions taken by an index sponsor in response to any such developments could adversely affect the performance of the EURO STOXX 50® Index and, as a result, the market value of, and return on the securities. Additionally, following certain events, if the calculation agent determines that a change in law has occurred or would have occurred but for a decision by its index sponsor to modify or reconstitute its index, then the calculation agent may select a successor index, reference a replacement basket or use an alternative method of calculation, in each case, in a manner it considers appropriate, or, if it determines that no successor index, replacement basket or alternative method of calculation would achieve an equitable result, it may deem the underlying asset’s closing level on the trading day immediately prior to the date of such event to be its closing level on each applicable date. For additional information, see the section “General Terms of the Securities — Discontinuance of, Adjustments to, or Benchmark Event or Change in Law Affecting, an Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation” in the accompanying product supplement.
■The underlying indices reflect price return, not total return. The return on your securities is based on the performance of the underlying indices, which reflect the changes in the market prices of the index constituent stocks. It is not, however, linked to a “total return” index or strategy, which, in addition to reflecting those price returns, would also reflect any dividends paid on the index constituent stocks. The return on your securities will not include such a total return feature or dividend component.
Estimated Value Considerations
■The issue price you pay for the securities will exceed their estimated initial value. The issue price you pay for the securities will exceed their estimated initial value as of the trade date due to the inclusion in the issue price of the hedging costs, issuance costs and other costs and projected profits. As of the close of the relevant markets on the trade date, we will determine the estimated initial value of the securities by reference to our internal pricing models and the estimated initial value of the securities will be set forth in the applicable pricing supplement. The pricing models used to determine the estimated initial value of the securities incorporate certain variables, including the levels of the underlying indices, volatility of the underlying indices, the correlation of the underlying indices, any dividends paid on the index constituent stocks, prevailing interest rates, the term of the securities and our internal funding rate. Our internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate we would pay to issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities of a similar term. The hedging costs, issuance and other costs, projected profits and the difference in rates will reduce the economic value of the securities to you. Due to these factors, the estimated initial value of the securities as of the trade date will be less than the issue price you pay for the securities.
■The estimated initial value is a theoretical price; the actual price that you may be able to sell your securities in any secondary market (if any) at any time after the trade date may differ from the estimated initial value. The value of your securities at any time will vary based on many factors, including the factors described above and in “— Risks Relating to Characteristics of the Underlying indices — Market risk” above and is impossible to predict. Furthermore, the pricing models that we use are proprietary and rely in part on certain assumptions about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. As a result, after the trade date, if you attempt to sell the securities in the secondary market, the actual value you would receive may differ, perhaps materially, from the estimated initial value of the securities determined by reference to our internal pricing models. The estimated