Notice regarding the daily redemption value of the iPath®
Bloomberg Natural Gas Subindex Total ReturnSM Exchange Traded
Notes
Barclays Bank PLC (“Barclays”) announced an investor guidance
notification today regarding the iPath® Bloomberg Natural Gas
Subindex Total ReturnSM Exchange Traded Notes (the “ETNs”).
The ETNs currently trade on the NYSE Arca stock exchange under the
ticker symbol “GAZ”. The Index underlying the ETNs is the Bloomberg
Natural Gas Subindex Total ReturnSM (the “Index”), with
Bloomberg ticker BCOMNGTR.
The daily redemption value of the ETNs on October 29, 2015 hit an
all-time low of $0.65 per ETN. At the current time, the daily redemption
value of the ETNs would drop to $0 if the Index decreases by another 44%
from the Index closing level on October 29, 2015. Additionally, as
accrued investor fees in the ETNs grow over time regardless of the
performance of the Index, the magnitude of the decrease in the level of
the Index required for the daily redemption value of the ETNs to drop to
$0 will also reduce progressively.
The Index has experienced a persistent decline since July 3, 2008, with
the Ievel of the Index decreasing approximately 97% since this date. The
maximum decrease in the level of the Index in a one year period since
the ETN’s inception was 81% from July 2008 to July 2009. During the last
three years, the level of the Index decreased an average of
approximately 25% per year. Continued weakness in the Henry Hub Natural
Gas futures markets may result in a significant decline in the level of
the Index in the months ahead, which in turn may result in the daily
redemption value of the ETNs declining significantly and potentially to
$0. Accordingly, anyone considering investing in the ETNs or continuing
to hold the ETNs should consider these risks when making an investment
decision.
Barclays previously announced the temporary suspension of further
issuances of the ETNs on August 21, 2009. As described in that press
release and also in the pricing supplement relating to the ETNs, the
limitations on issuance and sale implemented could from time to time
cause an imbalance of supply and demand in the secondary market for the
ETNs, which may cause the ETNs to trade at a premium or discount in
relation to their indicative value.
Barclays further issued an investor guidance notices on May 18, 2012 and
January 22, 2014 highlighting the persistent and material premium in the
trading price of the ETNs on the exchange in relation to their intraday
indicative value.
The ETNs are riskier than ordinary unsecured debt securities and have no
principal protection. The ETNs are unsecured debt obligations of the
issuer, Barclays Bank PLC, and are not, either directly or indirectly,
an obligation of or guaranteed by any third party. An investment in
the ETNs involves significant risks, including possible loss of
principal and may not be suitable for all investors.
Investors considering any purchase of the ETNs should be aware of the
fact that the intraday market prices of the ETNs on the exchange could
be significantly higher than the intraday indicative value of the ETNs
as calculated with reference to the level of the underlying index, minus
an investor fee.
Daily redemptions at the option of the holders of the ETNs continue to
stay open. The pricing supplement relating to the ETNs can be found on
EDGAR, the SEC website at: www.sec.gov,
as well as on the product website at www.iPathETN.com.
Barclays Bank PLC is the issuer of iPath® ETNs and Barclays
Capital Inc. is the issuer’s agent in the distribution. Barclays Bank
PLC and Barclays Capital Inc. have retained the services of BlackRock
Investments, LLC, a member of FINRA, to promote the ETNs and provide
certain services relating to the ETNs.
iPath ETNS: For further information about the iPath ETNs go to: http://www.iPathETN.com.
Selected Risk Considerations
An investment in the iPath ETNs described herein (the “ETNs”)
involves risks, including possible loss of principal, and may not be
suitable for all investors. Selected risks are summarized here, but we
urge you to read the more detailed explanation of risks described under
“Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and pricing
supplement.
You May Lose Some or All of Your Principal: The ETNs are exposed
to any decrease in the level of the underlying index between the
inception date and the applicable valuation date. Additionally, if the
level of the underlying index is insufficient to offset the negative
effect of the investor fee and other applicable costs, you will lose
some or all of your investment at maturity or upon redemption, even if
the value of such index has increased. Because the ETNs are subject to
an investor fee and any other applicable costs, the return on the ETNs
will always be lower than the total return on a direct investment in the
index components. The ETNs are riskier than ordinary unsecured debt
securities and have no principal protection.
Credit of Barclays Bank PLC: The ETNs are unsecured debt
obligations of the issuer, Barclays Bank PLC, and are not, either
directly or indirectly, an obligation of or guaranteed by any third
party. Any payment to be made on the ETNs, including any payment at
maturity or upon redemption, depends on the ability of Barclays Bank PLC
to satisfy its obligations as they come due. As a result, the actual and
perceived creditworthiness of Barclays Bank PLC will affect the market
value, if any, of the ETNs prior to maturity or redemption. In addition,
in the event Barclays Bank PLC were to default on its obligations, you
may not receive any amounts owed to you under the terms of the ETNs.
Market and Volatility Risk: The prices of physical commodities,
including the commodities underlying the index components, can fluctuate
widely due to supply and demand disruptions in major producing or
consuming regions. Additionally, the market value of the ETNs may be
influenced by many unpredictable factors including changes in supply and
demand relationships, governmental policies and economic events.
Concentration Risk: Because the ETNs are linked to an index
composed of futures contracts on a single commodity or in only one
commodity sector, the ETNs are less diversified than other funds. The
ETNs can therefore experience greater volatility than other funds or
investments.
A Trading Market for the ETNs May Not Develop: Although the ETNs
are listed on NYSE Arca, a trading market for the ETNs may not develop
and the liquidity of the ETNs may be limited, as we are not required to
maintain any listing of the ETNs.
No Interest Payments from the ETNs: You may not receive
any interest payments on the ETNs.
Restrictions on the Minimum Number of ETNs and Date Restrictions for
Redemptions: You must redeem at least 50,000 ETNs of the same
series at one time in order to exercise your right to redeem your ETNs
on any redemption date. You may only redeem your ETNs on a redemption
date if we receive a notice of redemption from you by certain dates and
times as set forth in the pricing supplement.
Uncertain Tax Treatment: Significant aspects of the tax treatment
of the ETNs are uncertain. You should consult your own tax advisor about
your own tax situation.
Barclays Bank PLC has filed a registration statement (including a
prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication
relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus and other
documents Barclays Bank PLC has filed with the SEC for more complete
information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these
documents for free by visiting www.iPathETN.com
or EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
Alternatively, Barclays Bank PLC will arrange for Barclays Capital Inc.
to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling toll-free
1-877-764-7284, or you may request a copy from any other dealer
participating in the offering.
BlackRock Investments, LLC assists in the promotion of the iPath ETNs.
The ETNs may be sold throughout the day on the exchange through any
brokerage account. Commissions may apply and there are tax consequences
in the event of sale, redemption or maturity of ETNs.
“Bloomberg®”, “Bloomberg Commodity IndexSM”,
“Bloomberg Commodity Index Total ReturnSM”, “Bloomberg
Natural Gas Subindex Total ReturnSM” and “BCOM” are service
marks of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates (collectively, “Bloomberg”)
and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by Barclays Bank
PLC. Any ETNs based on the Bloomberg Commodity Indices are not
sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Bloomberg, UBS AG, UBS
Securities LLC (“UBS”), or any of their subsidiaries or
affiliates. None of Bloomberg, UBS AG, UBS Securities or any of their
subsidiaries or affiliates makes any representation or warranty, express
or implied, to the owners of or counterparties to the ETNs or any member
of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities or
commodities generally or in the ETNs particularly.
© 2015 Barclays Bank PLC. All rights reserved. iPath, iPath ETNs and the
iPath logo are registered trademarks of Barclays Bank PLC. All other
trademarks, servicemarks or registered trademarks are the property, and
used with the permission, of their respective owners.
NOT FDIC INSURED · NO BANK GUARANTEE · MAY LOSE VALUE
Barclays is an international financial services provider engaged in
personal, corporate and investment banking, credit cards and wealth
management with an extensive presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa
and Asia. Barclays’ purpose is to help people achieve their ambitions –
in the right way. With 325 years of history and expertise in banking,
Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs over 130,000 people.
Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for customers and
clients worldwide. For further information about Barclays, please visit
our website www.barclays.com.
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