Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Registration Statement No. 333-208507
 
MARKET-LINKED STEP UP NOTES

 
 
 
Market-Linked Step Up Notes Linked to the S&P 500® Index
Issuer
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
Principal Amount
$10.00 per unit
Term
Approximately two years
Market Measure
S&P 500® Index
Payout Profile at Maturity
·  If the Market Measure is flat or increases up to the Step Up Value, a return equal to the Step Up Payment
·  If the Market Measure increases above the Step Up Value, a return equal to the percentage increase in the Market Measure
·  1-to-1 downside exposure to decreases in the Market Measure, with up to 100% of your principal at risk
Step Up Value
[109% to 115]% of the Starting Value, to be determined on the pricing date
Step Up Payment
[$0.90 to $1.50] per unit, a [9% to 15]% return over the principal amount, to be determined on the pricing date
Threshold Value
100% of the Starting Value
Investment Considerations
This investment is designed for investors who anticipate that the Market Measure will increase over the term of the notes and are willing to take full downside risk and forgo interim interest payments.
Preliminary Offering Documents
Exchange Listing
No
 

This graph reflects the hypothetical return on the notes, based on the mid-point of the range(s) set forth in the table to the left. This graph has been prepared for purposes of illustration only.
You should read the relevant Preliminary Offering Documents before you invest.
Click on the Preliminary Offering Documents hyperlink above or call your Financial Advisor for a hard copy.

Risk Factors
Please see the Preliminary Offering Documents for a description of certain risks related to this investment, including, but not limited to, the following:
·
Depending on the performance of the Market Measure as measured shortly before the maturity date, your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal.
·
Payments on the notes, including repayment of principal, are subject to the credit risk of RBC. If RBC becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its obligations, you may lose your entire investment.
·
The initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date will be less than their public offering price.
·
If you attempt to sell the notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than both the public offering price and the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date.
·
You will have no rights of a holder of the securities represented by the Market Measure, and you will not be entitled to receive securities or dividends or other distributions by the issuers of those securities.

Final terms will be set on the pricing date within the given range for the specified Market-Linked Investment. Please see the Preliminary Offering Documents for complete product disclosure, including related risks and tax disclosure.
 
 
RBC has filed a registration statement (including a product supplement, a prospectus supplement, and a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this document relates. Before you invest, you should read those documents, and the other documents that we have filed with the SEC, for more complete information about us and this offering. You may get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, RBC, any agent, or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you these documents if you so request by calling MLPF&S toll-free at 1-800-294-1322.