Merck Kommanditgesellschaft

* Positive performance in the past is no guarantee of positive performance in the future. The risk of price and foreign currency losses and of fluctuations in return as a result of unfavorable exchange rate movements cannot be ruled out.

General risk information

This publication is a financial analysis. This publication is intended only for your information purposes. It is not intended as an offer, solicitation of an offer, or public advertisement or recommendation to buy or sell any investment or other specific product. The publication addresses solely the recipient and may not be multiplied or published to third parties in electronic or any other form. The content of this publication has been developed by our staff of  Bank (Switzerland) AG and is based on sources of information we consider to be reliable. However, we cannot provide any confirmation or guarantee as to its correctness, completeness and up-to-date nature. The circumstances and principles to which the information contained in this publication relates may change at any time. Once published information is therefore not be interpreted in a manner implying that since its publication no changes have taken place or that the information is still up to date. The information in this publication does not constitute an aid for decision-making in relation to financial, legal, tax or other matters of consultation, nor should any investment decisions or other decisions be made solely on the basis of this information. Advice from a qualified expert is recommended. Investors should be aware of the fact that the value of investments can decrease as well as increase. Therefore, a positive performance in the past is no guarantee of a positive performance in the future. The risk of exchange rate and foreign currency losses due to an unfavorable exchange rate development for the investor cannot be excluded. There is a risk that investors will not receive back the full amount they originally invested. Forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future performance. The commissions and costs charged on the issue and redemption of units are charged individually to the investor and are therefore not reflected in the performance shown. We disclaim, without limitation, all liability for any losses or damages of any kind, whether direct, indirect or consequential nature that may be incurred through the use of this publication. This publication is not intended for persons subject to a legislation that prohibits its distribution or makes its distribution contingent upon an approval. Persons in whose possession this publication comes, as well as potential investors, must inform themselves in their home country, country of residence or country of domicile about the legal requirements and any tax consequences, foreign currency restrictions or controls and other aspects relevant to the decision to tender, acquire, hold, exchange, redeem or otherwise act in respect of such investments, obtain appropriate adviceand comply with any restrictions. In line with internal guidelines, persons responsible for compiling this publication are free to buy, hold and sell the securities referred to in this publication.

Risk information for single stock/single bond recommendations

Responsibilities

Responsible for compilation:  Bank (Switzerland) Ltd.,  Zurich, Switzerland. Responsible supervisory authority: Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, Laupenstrasse 27, CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland. Responsible for distribution within the meaning of article 8 FinMV [Financial Analysis Market Abuse Ordinance]:  Bank Ltd. Responsible for distribution within the meaning of the Directives on the Independence of Financial Research from the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA):  Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. Responsible supervisory authority: Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, Laupenstrasse 27, CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland. 

Precautions for avoiding and dealing with conflicts of interest

Employees of  Capital Partners Ltd, who are responsible for compiling and/or distributing financial analyses, are subject to the applicable regulations as prescribed by law and supervisory legislation. In particular, measures were taken to avoid conflicts of interest (e.g. checking information exchanged with other employees, independence of the remuneration of the employees concerned, preventing the exertion of influence on these employees, compliance with rules on employee transactions, etc.). In addition, the handling of financial analyses is governed by an internal, group-wide directive issued by  Group Foundation, Vaduz. Adherence to the regulations and organizational instructions is monitored by a Compliance Officer.

Reference regarding analysis history

If this analysis was made available to any issuers mentioned in the publication prior to its distribution or publication, no changes were made to the price or rating after the issuer’s feedback. Important references for Liechtenstein can be found in articles 3 to 6 FinMV [Financial Analysis Market Abuse Ordinance], for Switzerland in the Swiss Bankers Association Directives on the Independence of Financial Research, and for Austria in section 48 BörseG [Stock Exchange Act], the Austrian analysis principles of the Österreichische Vereinigung für Finanzanalyse und Asset Management [Austrian Association for Financial Analysis and Asset Management, ÖVFA] and the Austrian Society of Investment Professionals (ASIP) and the Standard Compliance Code of the Austrian banking sector. A history of all ratings and recommendations is available at your  relationship manager.

Essential sources of information

Our analysts draw on publicly accessible information we consider to be reliable. For the compilation of the analysis, publications by domestic and foreign media and news services (e.g. Reuters, Bloomberg, VWD etc.), business publications, trade publications, statistics and rating agencies were used, together with information from the issuers of the analyzed securities – mainly via the Internet, but also in writing or by telephone. We also procure information from investment banks (sell-side research and primary research).

Reference regarding valuation rates

Unless otherwise stated or specified, the rates used in the analysis are normally the share prices provided by the news agencies Reuters and/or Bloomberg at the close of the stock exchange of the domestic market of the analyzed security or the relevant principal market of this security on the respective local stock exchange on the eve of the day of compilation.