PRICING SUPPLEMENT Dated February 8, 2019 Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) Registration Statement No. 333-225551 (To Prospectus dated October 31, 2018, Index Supplement dated October 31, 2018 and Product Supplement dated October 31, 2018)

 

UBS AG $984,000 Capped Buffer Participation Securities

Linked to the S&P 500^® Index due March 26, 2020

Investment Description

UBS AG Capped Buffer Participation Securities (the “Securities”) are unsubordinated, unsecured debt securities issued by UBS AG (“UBS” or the “issuer”) linked to the performance of the S&P 500^® Index (the “underlying asset”). The amount you receive at maturity will be based on the direction and percentage change in the level of the underlying asset from the trade date to the final valuation date (the “underlying return”) and whether the closing level of the underlying asset on the final valuation date (the “final level”) is less than the downside threshold. If the underlying return is positive, at maturity, UBS will pay you a cash payment per Security equal to the principal amount plus a percentage return equal to the lesser of (a) the underlying return and (b) the maximum gain. If the underlying return is zero or negative and the final level is equal to or greater than the downside threshold, at maturity UBS will pay you a cash payment per Security equal to the principal amount. If, however, the final level is less than the downside threshold, UBS will pay you a cash payment per Security that is less than the principal amount, resulting in a percentage loss on your initial investment equal to the percentage that the final level is less than the initial level in excess of the buffer and, in extreme situations, you could lose almost all of your initial investment. Investing in the Securities involves significant risks. The Securities do not pay interest. You may lose some or almost all of your initial investment. The contingent repayment of principal applies only if you hold the Securities to maturity. Any payment on the Securities, including any repayment of principal, is subject to the creditworthiness of UBS. If UBS were to default on its payment obligations you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the Securities and you could lose all of your initial investment.

Notice to investors: the Securities are significantly riskier than conventional debt instruments. The issuer is not necessarily obligated to repay the principal amount of the Securities at maturity, and the Securities may have downside market risk similar to an investment in the underlying asset subject to the buffer. This market risk is in addition to the credit risk inherent in purchasing a debt obligation of UBS. You should not purchase the Securities if you do not understand or are not comfortable with the significant risks involved in investing in the Securities.

You should carefully consider the risks described under “Key Risks” beginning on page 3 and under “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-9 of the accompanying product supplement before purchasing any Securities. Events relating to any of those risks, or other risks and uncertainties, could adversely affect the market value of, and the return on your Securities. You may lose some or almost all of your initial investment in the Securities. The Securities will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or any electronic communications network.

Security Offering

These terms relate to the Securities. The return on the Securities is subject to, and will not exceed, the “maximum gain” or the corresponding “maximum payment at maturity per Security”.

 

Underlying Asset	Bloomberg Ticker	Maximum Gain	Maximum Payment at Maturity per Security	Initial Level	Downside Threshold	Buffer	CUSIP	ISIN
S&P 500® Index	SPX	18.00%	$1,180.00	2,707.88	2,437.09, which is 90% of the Initial Level	10%	90270KXY0	US90270KXY09

The estimated initial value of the Securities as of the trade date is $995.70. The estimated initial value of the Securities was determined as of the close of the relevant markets on the date hereof by reference to UBS’ internal pricing models, inclusive of the internal funding rate. For more information about secondary market offers and the estimated initial value of the Securities, see “Key Risks — Fair value considerations” and “Key Risks — Limited or no secondary market and secondary market price considerations” on pages 3 and 4 herein.

See “Additional Information about UBS and the Securities” on page ii. The Securities will have the terms specified in the accompanying product supplement relating to the Securities, dated October 31, 2018, the accompanying prospectus and this document.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this document, the accompanying product supplement, the index supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The Securities are not bank deposits and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Offering of Securities	Issue Price to Public			Underwriting Discount(1)		Proceeds to UBS AG(1)
	Total		Per Security	Total	Per Security	Total	Per Security
Securities linked to the S&P 500® Index	$984,000.00		$1,000.00	$1,476.00	$1.50	$982,524.00	$998.50
UBS Securities LLC		UBS Investment Bank

 

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⁽¹⁾ Our affiliate, UBS Securities LLC, will receive an underwriting discount of $1.50 per principal amount for each Security sold in this offering. UBS Securities LLC has agreed to re-allow the full amount of this discount to a third party dealer.

 

Additional Information about UBS and the Securities

UBS has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented by a product supplement for the Securities and an index supplement for various securities we may offer, including the Securities), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), for the Securities to which this document relates. Before you invest, you should read these documents and any other documents relating to the Securities that UBS has filed with the SEC for more complete information about UBS and this offering. You may obtain these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 0001114446.
You may access these documents on the SEC website at www.sec.gov as follows:
¨	Market-Linked Securities product supplement dated October 31, 2018: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1114446/000091412118002085/ub47016353-424b2.htm
¨	Index supplement dated October 31, 2018: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1114446/000091412118002083/ub46174419-424b2.htm
¨	Prospectus dated October 31, 2018: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1114446/000119312518314003/d612032d424b3.htm
References to “UBS,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer only to UBS AG and not to its consolidated subsidiaries and references to “Securities” refer to the Capped Buffer Participation Securities that are offered hereby, unless the context otherwise requires. Also, references to the “accompanying product supplement” mean the UBS product supplement, dated October 31, 2018, references to the “index supplement” mean the UBS index supplement, dated October 31, 2018 and references to “accompanying prospectus” mean the UBS prospectus titled “Debt Securities and Warrants,” dated October 31, 2018.
This document, together with the documents listed above, contains the terms of the Securities and supersedes all other prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including all other prior pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or other educational materials of ours. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Key Risks” herein and in “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-9 of the accompanying product supplement, as the Securities involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before deciding to invest in the Securities.
If there is any inconsistency between the terms of the Securities described in the accompanying prospectus, the index supplement, the accompanying product supplement and this document, the following hierarchy will govern: first, this document; second, the accompanying product supplement; third, the index supplement and last, the accompanying prospectus.
UBS reserves the right to change the terms of, or reject any offer to purchase, the Securities prior to their issuance. In the event of any changes to the terms of the Securities, UBS will notify you and you will be asked to accept such changes in connection with your purchase. You may also choose to reject such changes in which case UBS may reject your offer to purchase.

 

Investor Suitability

The investor suitability considerations identified above are not exhaustive. Whether or not the Securities are a suitable investment for you will depend on your individual circumstances and you should reach an investment decision only after you and your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors have carefully considered the suitability of an investment in the Securities in light of your particular circumstances. You should review “Information About the Underlying Asset” herein for more information on the underlying asset. You should also review “Key Risks” herein and the more detailed “Risk Factors” in the accompanying product supplement for risks related to an investment in the Securities.

 

Investing in the Securities involves significant risks. You may lose some or almost all of your initial investment. Any payment on the Securities, including any repayment of principal, is subject to the creditworthiness of UBS. If UBS were to default on its payment obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the Securities and you could lose all of your initial investment.

 

Key Risks

An investment in the Securities involves significant risks. Some of the key risks that apply to the Securities are summarized here, but we urge you to read the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the Securities generally in the “Risk Factors” section of the accompanying product supplement. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the Securities.

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Risk of loss at maturity — The Securities differ from ordinary debt securities in that UBS will not necessarily repay the principal amount of the Securities. UBS will pay you the principal amount of your Securities in cash at maturity only if the final level is equal to or greater than the downside threshold. If the underlying return is negative and the final level is less than the downside threshold, you will lose a percentage of your principal amount equal to the percentage that the final level is less than the initial level in excess of the buffer and, in extreme situations, you could lose almost all of your initial investment.

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The contingent repayment of principal applies only at maturity — You should be willing to hold your Securities to maturity. The stated payout by the issuer is available only if you hold your Securities to maturity. If you are able to sell your Securities prior to maturity in the secondary market, you may have to sell them at a loss relative to your initial investment even if the then-current level of the underlying asset is equal to or greater than the downside threshold.

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The participation in any positive underlying return, subject to the maximum gain, applies only at maturity — You should be willing to hold your Securities to maturity. If you are able to sell your Securities prior to maturity in the secondary market, the price you receive will likely not reflect the full economic value of any positive underlying return and the percentage return you realize may be less than the then-current underlying return, even if such return is positive and does not exceed the maximum gain. You can receive the full benefit of any positive underlying return, subject to the maximum gain, only if you hold your Securities to maturity.

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Your potential return on the Securities is limited to the maximum gain — The return potential of the Securities is limited to the maximum gain. Therefore, you will not benefit from any positive underlying return in excess of an amount that exceeds the maximum gain and your return on the Securities may be less than it would be in a hypothetical direct investment in the underlying asset or a direct investment in the underlying equity constituents.

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No interest payments — UBS will not pay any interest with respect to the Securities.

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Credit risk of UBS — The Securities are unsubordinated, unsecured debt obligations of UBS and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. Any payment to be made on the Securities, including any repayment of principal at maturity, depends on the ability of UBS to satisfy its obligations as they come due. As a result, UBS’ actual and perceived creditworthiness may affect the market value of the Securities. If UBS were to default on its obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the terms of the Securities and you could lose all of your initial investment.

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Greater expected volatility generally indicates an increased risk of loss at maturity — “Volatility" refers to the frequency and magnitude of changes in the level of the underlying asset. The greater the expected volatility of the underlying asset as of the trade date, the greater the expectation is as of the that date that the final level of the underlying asset could be less than the downside threshold and, as a consequence, indicates an increased risk of loss. However, the underlying asset's volatility can change significantly over the term of the Securities, and a relatively lower downside threshold may not necessarily indicate that the Securities have a greater likelihood of a return of principal at maturity. You should be willing to accept the downside market risk of the underlying asset and the potential to lose some or almost all of your initial investment.

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Market risk — The return on the Securities, which may be negative, is directly linked to the performance of the underlying asset and indirectly linked to the performance of the underlying equity constituents, and will depend on whether, and the extent to which, the underlying return is positive or negative. The level of the underlying asset can rise or fall sharply due to factors specific to the underlying equity constituents, such as stock price volatility, earnings and financial conditions, corporate, industry and regulatory developments, management changes and decisions and other events, as well as general market factors, such as general market volatility and levels, interest rates and economic and political conditions.

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Fair value considerations.

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The issue price you pay for the Securities exceeds their estimated initial value — The issue price you pay for the Securities exceeds their estimated initial value as of the trade date due to the inclusion in the issue price of the underwriting discount, hedging costs, issuance costs and projected profits. As of the close of the relevant markets on the trade date, we have determined the estimated initial value of the Securities by reference to our internal pricing models and it is set forth in this pricing supplement. The pricing models used to determine the estimated initial value of the Securities incorporate certain variables, including the level and volatility of the underlying asset and underlying equity constituents, any expected dividends on the underlying equity constituents, 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 underwriting discount, hedging costs, issuance 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 is less than the issue price you pay for the Securities.

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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 “— 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 initial value of the Securities does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which we or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase your Securities in any secondary market at any time.

 

 

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Our actual profits may be greater or less than the differential between the estimated initial value and the issue price of the Securities as of the trade date — We may determine the economic terms of the Securities, as well as hedge our obligations, at least in part, prior to pricing the Securities on the trade date. In addition, there may be ongoing costs to us to maintain and/or adjust any hedges and such hedges are often imperfect. Therefore, our actual profits (or potentially, losses) in issuing the Securities cannot be determined as of the trade date and any such differential between the estimated initial value and the issue price of the Securities as of the trade date does not reflect our actual profits. Ultimately, our actual profits will be known only at the maturity of the Securities.

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Limited or no secondary market and secondary market price considerations.

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There may be little or no secondary market for the Securities — The Securities will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or any electronic communications network. UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates intend, but are not required, to make a market for the Securities and may stop making a market at any time. If you are able to sell your Securities prior to maturity, you may have to sell them at a substantial loss. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that a secondary market for the Securities will develop. The estimated initial value of the Securities does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which we or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase your Securities in any secondary market at any time.

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The price at which UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates may offer to buy the Securities in the secondary market (if any) may be greater than UBS’ valuation of the Securities at that time, greater than any other secondary market prices provided by unaffiliated dealers (if any) and, depending on your broker, greater than the valuation provided on your customer account statements — For a limited period of time following the issuance of the Securities, UBS Securities LLC or its affiliates may offer to buy or sell such Securities at a price that exceeds (i) our valuation of the Securities at that time based on our internal pricing models, (ii) any secondary market prices provided by unaffiliated dealers (if any) and (iii) depending on your broker, the valuation provided on customer account statements. The price that UBS Securities LLC may initially offer to buy such Securities following issuance will exceed the valuations indicated by our internal pricing models due to the inclusion for a limited period of time of the aggregate value of the underwriting discount, hedging costs, issuance costs and theoretical projected trading profit. The portion of such amounts included in our price will decline to zero on a straight line basis over a period ending no later than the date specified under “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest); Secondary Markets (if any).” Thereafter, if UBS Securities LLC or an affiliate makes secondary markets in the Securities, it will do so at prices that reflect our estimated value determined by reference to our internal pricing models at that time. The temporary positive differential relative to our internal pricing models arises from requests from and arrangements made by UBS Securities LLC with the selling agents of structured debt securities such as the Securities. As described above, UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates intend, but are not required, to make a market for the Securities and may stop making a market at any time. The price at which UBS Securities LLC or an affiliate may make secondary markets at any time (if at all) will also reflect its then current bid-ask spread for similar sized trades of structured debt securities. UBS Securities LLC reflects this temporary positive differential on their customer statements. Investors should inquire as to the valuation provided on customer account statements provided by unaffiliated dealers.

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Economic and market factors affecting the terms and market price of Securities prior to maturity — Because structured notes, including the Securities, can be thought of as having a debt component and a derivative component, factors that influence the values of debt instruments and options and other derivatives will also affect the terms and features of the Securities at issuance and the market price of the Securities prior to maturity. These factors include the level of the underlying asset and underlying equity constituents; the volatility of the underlying asset and the underlying equity constituents; any dividends paid on the underlying equity constituents; the time remaining to the maturity of the Securities; interest rates in the markets; geopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, force majeure and regulatory or judicial events; the availability of comparable instruments; the creditworthiness of UBS; the then current bid-ask spread for the Securities. These and other factors are unpredictable and interrelated and may offset or magnify each other.

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Impact of fees and the use of internal funding rates rather than secondary market credit spreads on secondary market prices — All other things being equal, the use of the internal funding rates described above under “— Fair value considerations” as well as the inclusion in the issue price of the underwriting discount, hedging costs, issuance costs and any projected profits are, subject to the temporary mitigating effect of UBS Securities LLC’s and its affiliates’ market making premium, expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the Securities in any secondary market.

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Owning the Securities is not the same as owning the underlying equity constituents — The return on your Securities may not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the underlying equity constituents. For instance, you will not benefit from any positive underlying return in excess of an amount that exceeds the maximum gain. Furthermore, you will not receive or be entitled to receive any dividend payments or other distributions during the term of the Securities, and any such dividends or distributions will not be factored into the calculation of the payment at maturity on your Securities. In addition, as an owner of the Securities, you will not have voting rights or any other rights that a holder of the underlying equity constituents may have.

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There can be no assurance that the investment view implicit in the Securities will be successful — It is impossible to predict whether and the extent to which the level of the underlying asset will rise or fall and there can be no assurance that the final level of the underlying asset will be equal to or greater than the initial level or downside threshold. The final level of the underlying asset will be influenced by complex and interrelated political, economic, financial and other factors that affect the underlying equity constituents. You should be willing to accept the risks of owning equities in general and the underlying equity constituents in particular, and the risk of losing some or almost all of your initial investment.

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The underlying asset reflects price return, not total return — The return on your Securities is based on the performance of the underlying asset, which reflects the changes in the market prices of the underlying equity constituents. 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 underlying equity constituents. The return on your Securities will not include such a total return feature or dividend component.

 

 

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Changes affecting the underlying asset could have an adverse effect on the value of the Securities — The policies of the sponsor of the underlying asset as specified under “Information About the Underlying Asset” (the “index sponsor”), concerning additions, deletions and substitutions of the underlying equity constituents and the manner in which the index sponsor takes account of certain changes affecting those underlying equity constituents may adversely affect the level of the underlying asset. The policies of the index sponsor with respect to the calculation of the underlying asset could also adversely affect the level of the underlying asset. The index sponsor may discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of the underlying asset. Any such actions could have an adverse effect on the value of the Securities.

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UBS cannot control actions by the index sponsor and the index sponsor has no obligation to consider your interests — UBS and its affiliates are not affiliated with the index sponsor and have no ability to control or predict its actions, including any errors in, or discontinuation of, public disclosure regarding methods or policies relating to the calculation of the underlying asset. The index sponsor is not involved in the Securities offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your interest as an owner of the Securities in taking any actions that might affect the market value of your Securities.

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Potential UBS impact on price — Trading or transactions by UBS or its affiliates in the underlying equity constituents, listed and/or over-the-counter options, futures or other instruments with returns linked to the performance of the underlying asset or any underlying equity constituent may adversely affect the performance and, therefore, the market value and the amount payable at maturity of the Securities.

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Potential conflict of interest — UBS and its affiliates may engage in business with any issuer of an underlying equity constituent (an “underlying constituent issuer”), which may present a conflict between the obligations of UBS and you, as a holder of the Securities. There are also potential conflicts of interest between you and the calculation agent, which will be an affiliate of UBS. The calculation agent can postpone the determination of the terms of the Securities on the trade date and the final level on the final valuation date, if a market disruption event occurs and is continuing on that day. As UBS determines the economic terms of the Securities, including the maximum gain and downside threshold and such terms include the underwriting discount, hedging costs, issuance costs and projected profits, the Securities represent a package of economic terms. There are other potential conflicts of interest insofar as an investor could potentially get better economic terms if that investor entered into exchange-traded and/or OTC derivatives or other instruments with third parties, assuming that such instruments were available and the investor had the ability to assemble and enter into such instruments.

Additionally, UBS and its affiliates act in various capacities with respect to the Securities, including as principal, agent or dealer in connection with the sale of the Securities. Such affiliates and any other third-party dealers will derive compensation from the distribution of the Securities and such compensation may serve as an incentive to sell these Securities instead of other investments. Furthermore, given that UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates temporarily maintain a market making premium, it may have the effect of discouraging UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates from recommending sale of your Securities in the secondary market.

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Potentially inconsistent research, opinions or recommendations by UBS — UBS and its affiliates publish research from time to time on financial markets and other matters that may influence the value of the Securities, or express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with purchasing or holding the Securities. Any research, opinions or recommendations expressed by UBS or its affiliates may not be consistent with each other and may be modified from time to time without notice. Investors should make their own independent investigation of the merits of investing in the Securities and the underlying asset to which the Securities are linked.

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The Securities are not bank deposits — An investment in the Securities carries risks which are very different from the risk profile of a bank deposit placed with UBS or its affiliates. The Securities have different yield, and/or return, liquidity and risk profiles and would not benefit from any protection provided to deposits.

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If UBS experiences financial difficulties, FINMA has the power to open restructuring or liquidation proceedings in respect of, and/or impose protective measures in relation to, UBS, which proceedings or measures may have a material adverse effect on the terms and market value of the Securities and/or the ability of UBS to make payments thereunder — The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (“FINMA”) has broad statutory powers to take measures and actions in relation to UBS if (i) it concludes that there is justified concern that UBS is over-indebted or has serious liquidity problems or (ii) UBS fails to fulfill the applicable capital adequacy requirements (whether on a standalone or consolidated basis) after expiry of a deadline set by FINMA. If one of these pre-requisites is met, FINMA is authorized to open restructuring proceedings or liquidation (bankruptcy) proceedings in respect of, and/or impose protective measures in relation to, UBS. The Swiss Banking Act grants significant discretion to FINMA in connection with the aforementioned proceedings and measures. In particular, a broad variety of protective measures may be imposed by FINMA, including a bank moratorium or a maturity postponement, which measures may be ordered by FINMA either on a stand-alone basis or in connection with restructuring or liquidation proceedings. The resolution regime of the Swiss Banking Act is further detailed in the FINMA Banking Insolvency Ordinance (“BIO-FINMA”). In a restructuring proceeding, FINMA, as resolution authority, is competent to approve the resolution plan. The resolution plan may, among other things, provide for (a) the transfer of all or a portion of UBS’ assets, debts, other liabilities and contracts (which may or may not include the contractual relationship between UBS and the holders of Securities) to another entity, (b) a stay (for a maximum of two business days) on the termination of contracts to which UBS is a party, and/or the exercise of (w) rights to terminate, (x) netting rights, (y) rights to enforce or dispose of collateral or (z) rights to transfer claims, liabilities or collateral under contracts to which UBS is a party, (c) the conversion of UBS’ debt and/or other obligations, including its obligations under the Securities, into equity (a “debt-to-equity” swap), and/or (d) the partial or full write-off of obligations owed by UBS (a “write-off”), including its obligations under the Securities. The BIO-FINMA provides that a debt-to-equity swap and/or a write-off of debt and other obligations (including the Securities) may only take place after (i) all debt instruments issued by UBS qualifying as additional tier 1 capital or tier 2 capital have been converted into equity or written-off, as applicable, and (ii) the existing equity of UBS has been fully cancelled. While the BIO-FINMA does not expressly address the order in which a write-off of debt instruments other than debt instruments qualifying as additional tier 1 capital or tier 2 capital should occur, it states that debt-to-equity swaps should occur in the following order: first, all subordinated claims not qualifying as regulatory capital; second, all other claims not excluded by law from a debt-to-equity swap (other than deposits); and third, deposits (in excess of the amount privileged by law). However, given the broad discretion granted to FINMA as the resolution authority, any restructuring plan in respect of UBS could provide that the claims under or in connection with the Securities will be partially or fully converted into equity or written-off, while preserving other obligations of UBS that rank pari passu with, or even junior to, UBS’ obligations under the Securities. Consequently, holders of Securities may lose all of some of their investment in the Securities. In the case of restructuring proceedings with respect to a systemically important Swiss bank (such as UBS), the creditors whose claims are affected by the restructuring plan will not have a right to vote on, reject, or seek the suspension of the restructuring plan. In addition, if a restructuring plan has been approved by FINMA, the rights of a creditor to seek judicial review of the restructuring plan (e.g., on the grounds that the plan would unduly prejudice the rights of holders of Securities or otherwise be in violation of the Swiss Banking Act) are very limited. In particular, a court may not suspend the implementation of the restructuring plan. Furthermore, even if a creditor successfully challenges the

 

 

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restructuring plan, the court can only require the relevant creditor to be compensated ex post and there is currently no guidance as to on what basis such compensation would be calculated or how it would be funded.

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Uncertain tax treatment — Significant aspects of the tax treatment of the Securities are uncertain. You should consult your tax advisor about your tax situation. See “What are the Tax Consequences of the Securities?” herein and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”, including the section “— Securities Treated as Prepaid Derivatives or Prepaid Forwards”, in the accompanying product supplement.

 

Hypothetical Examples and Return Table of the Securities at Maturity

The below examples and table are based on hypothetical terms. The actual terms are indicated on the cover hereof.

The examples and table below illustrate the Payment at Maturity for a $1,000 Security on a hypothetical offering of the Securities, with the following assumptions (amounts may have been rounded for ease of analysis):

Term:	Approximately 13.5 months
Initial Level:	3,000
Downside Threshold:	2,700 (90% of the Initial Level)
Buffer:	10.00%
Maximum Gain:	18.00%
Range of Underlying Return:	-100% to 40%

Example 1: The Underlying Return is 5%.

Because the underlying return is positive and is less than the maximum gain, the payment at maturity per Security will be calculated as follows:

$1,000 × (1 + the lesser of (a) 5.00% and (b) 18.00%)

= $1,000 x (1 + 5.00%)

= $1,050.00 per Security (a 5.00% total return).

Example 2: The Underlying Return is 20%.

Because the underlying return is positive and is greater than the maximum gain, the payment at maturity per Security will be calculated as follows:

$1,000 × (1 + the lesser of (a) 20.00% and (b) 18.00%)

= $1,000 x (1 + 18.00%)

= $1,180.00 per Security (an 18.00% total return).

Example 3: The Underlying Return is -5% and the Final Level is equal to or greater than the Downside Threshold.

Because the underlying return is negative and the final level is equal to or greater than the downside threshold, the payment at maturity per Security will be equal to the principal amount of $1,000 (a 0.00% total return).

Example 4: The Underlying Return is -60% and the Final Level is less than the Downside Threshold.

Because the underlying return is negative and the final level is less than the downside threshold, the payment at maturity per Security will be less than the principal amount, calculated as follows:

$1,000 × [1 + (-60.00% + 10.00%)]

= $1,000 × 0.50

= $500.00 per Security (a 50.00% loss).

In this scenario, you will suffer a percentage loss on your initial investment in an amount that is equal to the percentage that the final level is less than the initial level in excess of the buffer.

 

Underlying Asset		Payment and Return at Maturity
Final Level	Underlying Return(1)	Payment at Maturity	Security Total Return at Maturity
4,200.00	40.00%	$1,180.00	18.00%
3,900.00	30.00%	$1,180.00	18.00%
3,600.00	20.00%	$1,180.00	18.00%
3,540.00	18.00%	$1,180.00	18.00%
3,450.00	15.00%	$1,150.00	15.00%
3,300.00	10.00%	$1,100.00	10.00%
3,150.00	5.00%	$1,050.00	5.00%
3,075.00	2.50%	$1,025.00	2.50%
3,000.00	0.00%	$1,000.00	0.00%
2,850.00	-5.00%	$1,000.00	0.00%
2,700.00	-10.00%	$1,000.00	0.00%
2,550.00	-15.00%	$950.00	-5.00%
2,400.00	-20.00%	$900.00	-10.00%
2,100.00	-30.00%	$800.00	-20.00%
1,800.00	-40.00%	$700.00	-30.00%
1,500.00	-50.00%	$600.00	-40.00%
1,200.00	-60.00%	$500.00	-50.00%
900.00	-70.00%	$400.00	-60.00%
600.00	-80.00%	$300.00	-70.00%
300.00	-90.00%	$200.00	-80.00%
0.00	-100.00%	$100.00	-90.00%

(1)

The underlying return excludes any cash dividend payments.

 

Information About the Underlying Asset

All disclosures contained in this document regarding the underlying asset are derived from publicly available information. UBS has not conducted any independent review or due diligence of any publicly available information with respect to the underlying asset. You should make your own investigation into the underlying asset.

Included on the following pages is a brief description of the underlying asset. This information has been obtained from publicly available sources. Set forth below is a table that provides the quarterly closing high and quarterly closing low for the underlying asset. We obtained the closing level information set forth below from Bloomberg Professional^® service (“Bloomberg”) without independent verification. You should not take the historical prices of the underlying asset as an indication of future performance.

S&P 500^® Index

We have derived all information regarding the S&P 500^® Index (“SPX”) contained in this document, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components, from publicly available information. Such information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “index sponsor” or “S&P Dow Jones”).

SPX is published by S&P Dow Jones, but S&P Dow Jones has no obligation to continue to publish SPX, and may discontinue publication of SPX at any time. SPX is determined, comprised and calculated by S&P Dow Jones without regard to the Securities.

As discussed more fully in the index supplement under the heading “Underlying Indices and Underlying Index Publishers — S&P 500^® Index”, SPX is intended to provide an indication of the pattern of common stock price movement. The calculation of the value of SPX is based on the relative value of the aggregate market value of the common stock of 500 companies as of a particular time compared to the aggregate average market value of the common stocks of 500 similar companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943. Eleven main groups of companies comprise SPX, with the percentage weight of each group in the index as a whole as of January 31, 2019 as follows: Information Technology (19.9%), Health Care (15.1%), Financials (13.5%), Communication Services (10.3%), Consumer Discretionary (10.1%), Industrials (9.5%), Consumer Staples (7.2%), Energy (5.5%), Utilities (3.2%), Real Estate (3.0%) and Materials (2.7%). As of September 28, 2018, the underlier sponsor broadened the current Telecommunication Services Sector and renamed it Communication Services. The renamed Sector includes the existing telecommunication companies, as well as companies selected from the Consumer Discretionary Sector previously classified under the Media Industry Group and the Internet & Direct Marketing Retail Sub-Industry, along with select companies currently classified in the Information Technology Sector. Effective March 10, 2017, company additions to the underlying asset should have an unadjusted company market capitalization of $6.1 billion or more (an increase from the previous requirement of an unadjusted company market capitalization of $5.3 billion or more).

Information from outside sources is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered part of, this document or any document incorporated herein by reference. UBS has not conducted any independent review or due diligence of any publicly available information with respect to the SPX.

Historical Information

The following table sets forth the quarterly closing high and quarterly closing low levels for SPX, based on the daily closing levels as reported by Bloomberg, without independent verification. UBS has not conducted any independent review or due diligence of publicly available information obtained from Bloomberg. The closing level of the SPX on February 8, 2019 was 2,707.88. Past performance of SPX is not indicative of the future performance of SPX.

Quarter Begin	Quarter End	Quarterly Closing High	Quarterly Closing Low	Quarterly Close
1/1/2015	3/31/2015	2,117.39	1,992.67	2,067.89
4/1/2015	6/30/2015	2,130.82	2,057.64	2,063.11
7/1/2015	9/30/2015	2,128.28	1,867.61	1,920.03
10/1/2015	12/31/2015	2,109.79	1,923.82	2,043.94
1/1/2016	3/31/2016	2,063.95	1,829.08	2,059.74
4/1/2016	6/30/2016	2,119.12	2,000.54	2,098.86
7/1/2016	9/30/2016	2,190.15	2,088.55	2,168.27
10/1/2016	12/31/2016	2,271.72	2,085.18	2,238.83
1/1/2017	3/31/2017	2,395.96	2,257.83	2,362.72
4/1/2017	6/30/2017	2,453.46	2,328.95	2,423.41
7/1/2017	9/30/2017	2,519.36	2,409.75	2,519.36
10/1/2017	12/31/2017	2,690.16	2,529.12	2,673.61
1/1/2018	3/31/2018	2,872.87	2,581.00	2,640.87
4/1/2018	6/30/2018	2,786.85	2,581.88	2,718.37
7/1/2018	9/30/2018	2,930.75	2,713.22	2,913.98
10/1/2018	12/31/2018	2,925.51	2,351.10	2,506.85
1/1/2019	2/8/2019*	2,737.70	2,447.89	2,707.88

*       The above table only includes data through this date. Accordingly, the “Quarterly Closing High”, “Quarterly Closing Low” and “Quarterly Close” data indicated are for this shortened period only and do not reflect complete data for this calendar quarter.

 

The graph below illustrates the performance of SPX from January 1, 2009 through February 8, 2019, based on information from Bloomberg. The dotted line represents the downside threshold of 2,437.09, which is equal to 90% of the initial level. Past performance of the underlying asset is not indicative of the future performance of SPX.

 

What Are the Tax Consequences of the Securities?

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the Securities are uncertain. There are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings or judicial decisions addressing the characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of securities with terms that are substantially the same as the Securities. Some of these tax consequences are summarized below, but we urge you to read the more detailed discussion in “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”, including the section “—Securities Treated as Prepaid Derivatives or Prepaid Forwards”, in the accompanying product supplement and to discuss the tax consequences of your particular situation with your tax advisor. This discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), final, temporary and proposed U.S. Treasury Department (the “Treasury”) regulations, rulings and decisions, in each case, as available and in effect as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Tax consequences under state, local and non-U.S. laws are not addressed herein. No ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been sought as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the Securities, and the following discussion is not binding on the IRS.

U.S. Tax Treatment. Pursuant to the terms of the Securities, UBS and you agree, in the absence of a statutory or regulatory change or an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to characterize your Securities as prepaid derivative contracts with respect to the underlying asset. If your Securities are so treated, you should generally recognize gain or loss upon the taxable disposition of your Securities in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you receive at such time and the amount you paid for your Securities. Such gain or loss should generally be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your Securities for more than one year (otherwise such gain or loss should be short-term capital gain or loss if held for one year or less). The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Based on certain factual representations received from us, our counsel, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, is of the opinion that it would be reasonable to treat your Securities in the manner described above. However, because there is no authority that specifically addresses the tax treatment of the Securities, it is possible that your Securities could alternatively be treated for tax purposes as a single contingent payment debt instrument, or pursuant to some other characterization, such that the timing and character of your income from the Securities could differ materially and adversely from the treatment described above, as described further under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”, including the section “—Securities Treated as Prepaid Derivatives or Prepaid Forwards”, in the accompanying product supplement.

Except to the extent otherwise required by law, UBS intends to treat your Securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes in accordance with the treatment described above and under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”, including the section “—Securities Treated as Prepaid Derivatives or Prepaid Forwards”, in the accompanying product supplement, unless and until such time as the Treasury and the IRS determine that some other treatment is more appropriate.

Notice 2008-2. In 2007, the IRS released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of the Securities. According to Notice 2008-2, the IRS and the Treasury are actively considering whether the holder of an instrument similar to the Securities should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis, and they are seeking taxpayer comments on the subject. It is not possible to determine what guidance they will ultimately issue, if any. It is possible, however, that under such guidance, holders of the Securities will ultimately be required to accrue income currently and this could be applied on a retroactive basis. The IRS and the Treasury are also considering other relevant issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital, whether non-U.S. holders of such instruments should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accruals, and whether the special “constructive ownership rules” of Section 1260 of the Code should be applied to such instruments. Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the significance, and the potential impact, of the above considerations.

Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income. U.S. holders that are individuals, estates, or certain trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which may include any income or gain realized with respect to the Securities, to the extent of their net investment income that when added to their other modified adjusted gross income, exceeds $200,000 for an unmarried individual, $250,000 for a married taxpayer filing a joint return (or a surviving spouse), $125,000 for a married individual filing a separate return or the dollar amount at which the highest tax bracket begins for an estate or trust. The 3.8% Medicare tax is determined in a different manner than the income tax. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of the 3.8% Medicare tax.

Specified Foreign Financial Assets. Certain U.S. holders that own “specified foreign financial assets” in excess of an applicable threshold may be subject to reporting obligations with respect to such assets with their tax returns, especially if such assets are held outside the custody of a U.S. financial institution. You are urged to consult your tax advisor as to the application of this legislation to your ownership of the Securities.

Non-U.S. Holders. Subject to Section 871(m) of the Code and “FATCA”, discussed below, if you are a non-U.S. holder you should generally not be subject to U.S. withholding tax with respect to payments on your Securities or to generally applicable information reporting and backup withholding requirements with respect to payments on your Securities if you comply with certain certification and identification requirements as to your non-U.S. status (by providing us (and/or the applicable withholding agent) with a fully completed and duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8). Subject to Section 897 of the Code and Section 871(m) of the Code, discussed below, gain from the taxable disposition of a Security generally should not be subject to U.S. tax unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder in the U.S., (ii) the non-U.S. holder is a non-resident alien individual and is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of such taxable disposition and certain other conditions are satisfied or (iii) the non-U.S. holder has certain other present or former connections with the U.S.

 

 

Section 897. We will not attempt to ascertain whether any underlying constituent issuer would be treated as a “United States real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code. We also have not attempted to determine whether the Securities should be treated as “United States real property interests” (“USRPI”) as defined in Section 897 of the Code. If any underlying constituent issuer and the Securities were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply, including subjecting any gain to a non-U.S. holder in respect of a Security upon a taxable disposition of the Security to the U.S. federal income tax on a net basis, and the proceeds from such a taxable disposition to a 15% withholding tax. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential treatment of an underlying constituent issuer as a USRPHC and the Securities as USRPI.

Section 871(m). A 30% withholding tax (which may be reduced by an applicable income tax treaty) is imposed under Section 871(m) of the Code on certain “dividend equivalents” paid or deemed paid to a non-U.S. holder with respect to a “specified equity-linked instrument” that references one or more dividend-paying U.S. equity securities or indices containing U.S. equity securities. The withholding tax can apply even if the instrument does not provide for payments that reference dividends. Treasury regulations provide that the withholding tax applies to all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on specified equity-linked instruments that have a delta of one (“delta-one specified equity-linked instruments”) issued after 2016 and to all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on all other specified equity-linked instruments issued after 2018. However, the IRS has issued guidance that states that the Treasury and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the Treasury regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid will not apply to specified equity-linked instruments that are not delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and are issued before January 1, 2021.

Based on our determination that the Securities are not “delta-one” with respect to the underlying asset or any U.S. underlying equity constituent, our counsel is of the opinion that the Securities should not be delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and thus should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. Our determination is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination. Furthermore, the application of Section 871(m) of the Code will depend on our determinations made upon issuance of the Securities. If withholding is required, we will not make payments of any additional amounts.

Nevertheless, after issuance, it is possible that your Securities could be deemed to be reissued for tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the underlying asset, the underlying equity constituents or your Securities, and following such occurrence your Securities could be treated as delta-one specified equity-linked instruments that are subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. It is also possible that withholding tax or other tax under Section 871(m) of the Code could apply to the Securities under these rules if you enter, or have entered, into certain other transactions in respect of the underlying asset, the underlying equity constituents or the Securities. If you enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of the underlying asset, the underlying equity constituents or the Securities, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the application of Section 871(m) of the Code to your Securities in the context of your other transactions.

Because of the uncertainty regarding the application of the 30% withholding tax on dividend equivalents to the Securities, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) of the Code and the 30% withholding tax to an investment in the Securities.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) was enacted on March 18, 2010, and imposes a 30% U.S. withholding tax on “withholdable payments” (i.e., certain U.S. -source payments, including interest (and original issue discount), dividends, other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gain, profits, and income, and on the gross proceeds from a disposition of property of a type which can produce U.S. -source interest or dividends) and “passthru payments” (i.e., certain payments attributable to withholdable payments) made to certain foreign financial institutions (and certain of their affiliates) unless the payee foreign financial institution agrees (or is required), among other things, to disclose the identity of any U.S. individual with an account of the institution (or the relevant affiliate) and to annually report certain information about such account. FATCA also requires withholding agents making withholdable payments to certain foreign entities that do not disclose the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of any substantial U.S. owners (or do not certify that they do not have any substantial U.S. owners) to withhold tax at a rate of 30%. Under certain circumstances, a holder may be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.

Pursuant to final and temporary Treasury regulations and other IRS guidance, the withholding and reporting requirements under FATCA will generally apply to certain “withholdable payments”, will not apply to gross proceeds on a sale or disposition, and will apply to certain foreign passthru payments only to the extent that such payments are made after the date that is two years after final regulations defining the term “foreign passthru payment” are published. If withholding is required, we (or the applicable paying agent) will not be required to pay additional amounts with respect to the amounts so withheld. Foreign financial institutions and non-financial foreign entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

Investors should consult their tax advisors about the application of FATCA, in particular if they may be classified as financial institutions (or if they hold their Securities through a foreign entity) under the FATCA rules.

Proposed Legislation. In 2007, legislation was introduced in Congress that, if it had been enacted, would have required holders of Securities purchased after the bill was enacted to accrue interest income over the term of the Securities despite the fact that there will be no interest payments over the term of the Securities.

Furthermore, in 2013, the House Ways and Means Committee released in draft form certain proposed legislation relating to financial instruments. If it had been enacted, the effect of this legislation generally would have been to require instruments such as the Securities to be marked to market on an annual basis with all gains and losses to be treated as ordinary, subject to certain exceptions.

It is not possible to predict whether any similar or identical bills will be enacted in the future, or whether any such bill would affect the tax treatment of your Securities. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the possible changes in law and their possible impact on the tax treatment of your Securities.

 

 

Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the application of U.S. federal income tax laws to their particular situation, as well as any tax consequences of the purchase, beneficial ownership and disposition of the Securities arising under the laws of any state, local, non-U.S. or other taxing jurisdiction.

 

Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest); Secondary Markets (if any)

We have agreed to sell to UBS Securities LLC, and UBS Securities LLC has agreed to purchase, all of the Securities at the issue price to the public less the underwriting discount indicated on the cover hereof. UBS Securities LLC has agreed to resell the Securities to Incapital LLC at a discount from the issue price to public equal to the underwriting discount indicated on the cover hereof. The issue price to the public will equal $1,000.00.

Conflicts of Interest — UBS Securities LLC is an affiliate of UBS and, as such, has a “conflict of interest” in this offering within the meaning of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) Rule 5121. In addition, UBS will receive the net proceeds (excluding the underwriting discount) from the initial public offering of the Securities, thus creating an additional conflict of interest within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121. Consequently, the offering is being conducted in compliance with the provisions of FINRA Rule 5121. UBS Securities LLC is not permitted to sell Securities in this offering to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of the account holder.

UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates may offer to buy or sell the Securities in the secondary market (if any) at prices greater than UBS’ internal valuation — The value of the Securities at any time will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted. However, the price (not including UBS Securities LLC’s or any affiliate’s customary bid-ask spreads) at which UBS Securities LLC or any affiliate would offer to buy or sell the Securities immediately after the trade date in the secondary market is expected to exceed the estimated initial value of the Securities as determined by reference to our internal pricing models. The amount of the excess will decline to zero on a straight line basis over a period ending no later than 6 months after the trade date, provided that UBS Securities LLC may shorten the period based on various factors, including the magnitude of purchases and other negotiated provisions with selling agents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates intend, but are not required, to make a market for the Securities and may stop making a market at any time. For more information about secondary market offers and the estimated initial value of the Securities, see “Key Risks — Fair value considerations” and “— Limited or no secondary market and secondary market price considerations” herein.

Prohibition of Sales to EEA Retail Investors — The Securities are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (“EEA”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended (“MiFID II”); (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2002/92/EC, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC, as amended. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, as amended (the “PRIIPs Regulation”), for offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

 

 

Validity of the Securities

In the opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, as special counsel to the issuer, when the Securities offered by this pricing supplement have been executed and issued by the issuer and authenticated by the trustee pursuant to the indenture and delivered, paid for and sold as contemplated herein, the Securities will be valid and binding obligations of the issuer, enforceable against the issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium, receivership or other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity). This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the State of New York. Insofar as this opinion involves matters governed by Swiss law, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP has assumed, without independent inquiry or investigation, the validity of the matters opined on by Homburger AG, Swiss legal counsel for the issuer, in its opinion dated October 29, 2018 filed on that date with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 5.3 to the issuer’s registration statement on Form F-3 (the “Registration Statement”). In addition, this opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the indenture and, with respect to the Securities, authentication of the Securities and the genuineness of signatures and certain factual matters, all as stated in the opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP dated October 29, 2018 filed on that date with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 5.4 to the Registration Statement.