Legal & regulatory

Please read these terms carefully – they apply to your use of this website. By proceeding with access to our website you are deemed to have accepted these terms.  IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT, YOU ARE NOT AN AUTHORIZED USER OF THESE SERVICES AND YOU SHOULD NOT USE THIS WEBSITE.

AVIVA INVESTORS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE, MODIFY, ADD OR REMOVE PORTIONS OF THESE TERMS AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON. WE SUGGEST THAT YOU REVIEW THESE TERMS PERIODICALLY FOR CHANGES. SUCH CHANGES SHALL BE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UPON POSTING. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT BY ACCESSING OUR WEBSITE AFTER WE HAVE POSTED CHANGES TO THESE TERMS, YOU ARE AGREEING TO THESE TERMS AS MODIFIED.

Terms & Conditions

This website is directed at Professional Clients only (whether already existing or prospective professional clients), as defined in Annex II to “Markets in Financial Instruments Directive” 2004/39/EC (“MiFID”). Additionally, this webite is directed at U.S. Persons (as such term is defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), this website is directed at “accredited investors” only, as defined in Regulation D under the 1933 Act.

Any person who does not fall within this description may not access, use or rely on this website and the information in it. Should you proceed to access the website, you are deemed to represent and warrant that you fall within the above description of the intended audience.

By accessing this website, you certify possessing the experience, knowledge and expertise required to comprehend the risks inherent to products mentioned in this website and to make your own investment decisions.

This website is only intended to provide general information on Aviva plc or other Aviva group companies authorised for distribution. This website should not be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any products, nor shall any products be offered or sold to any person in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.  If you choose to access this website, you do so entirely at your own discretion. The views expressed on this website are the opinions of Aviva plc or other Aviva group companies at a given time. They are subject to change without prior notice. These views are not to be taken as authoritative or as a substitute for your personal judgement. Users of this website are reminded that past performance is not necessarily an indicator of future performance.

"Aviva Investors" is a trade name used in this web site and in US by Aviva Investors Americas LLC., a SEC-registered investment adviser. The name “Aviva Investors” is used in other countries by companies who are affiliated with Aviva Investors Americas LLC., such affiliated companies also use the name "Aviva Investors" in web sites they sponsor or maintain.

Copyright

Unless otherwise indicated, Aviva plc is the owner of all copyright, design rights, database rights and all other intellectual property rights in the content of this website. This content may not be used, sold, licensed, copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner or form or in or on any media to any person without the prior written consent of Aviva plc.

The information and other content provided in connection with the website are our property or the property of third parties or their licensers, and are protected by applicable copyright law. You agree not to reproduce, retransmit, disseminate, sell, distribute, publish, broadcast, circulate or commercially exploit the information and other content in any manner without our express written consent or third parties, or any other person with the authority to give such consent. You agree that you will not use the information and other content for any unlawful purpose. You further agree to comply with all our reasonable written requests intended to protect the information and third parties’, and our respective rights in the information and website. You will not remove any proprietary notices (e.g., copyright and trademark notices) from any information or other content provided in connection with the website.

Trademarks

Aviva and the Aviva logo are registered trademarks of Aviva plc or other Aviva group companies. Aviva plc or Aviva group companies may also claim rights in other trademarks, service marks, logos and icons contained on this website. Such content is solely for your personal, non-commercial use. Accordingly, you may not copy, distribute, modify, post, frame or deep link this website, including any text, graphics, video, audio, software code, user interface design or logos. You may download material displayed on this website for your personal use provided you also retain all copyright and other proprietary notices contained on the materials. You may not distribute, modify, transmit, reuse, repost, or use the content of this website for public or commercial purposes, including all text, images, audio, and video, without Aviva plc’s or Aviva group companies’ written permission. Your use of the trademarks displayed on this website, except as provided herein, is strictly prohibited.

Accuracy of information

Whilst we take all reasonable steps to ensure that the information contained within these pages is accurate and up-to-date, no liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions. Nothing in these terms or elsewhere on this website shall exclude or restrict our duties and liability to you under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 or any other conduct of business rules with which we are bound to comply.  The information contained within these pages should not be viewed as indicating any guarantee of return or result from an investment managed by Aviva Investors nor as advice of any nature.

We may make available on the website certain financial market data, quotes, news, research and opinions or other financial information (collectively, “Information”) that has been independently obtained by certain financial market information services, financial publishers, various securities markets including stock exchanges and their affiliates, investment bankers and other providers or has been obtained by us. We do not guarantee or certify the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or correct sequencing of the Information. All such Information is provided “as-is” and “as-available.” You agree that neither we nor any of the third-party sources of Information shall be liable in any way for the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or correct sequencing of the information, or for any decision made or action taken by you relying upon the Information. You further agree that neither we nor any of the third party-sources of Information will be liable in any way for the interruption of any data or information. You further understand that none of the Information constitutes a recommendation or solicitation that you should purchase or sell any particular security or use the services of any third-party source of Information.

Risk warnings

The contents of this website, including any document or narrative does not constitute an offer or solicitation to sell units or shares in any of the funds managed by Aviva Investors or any other Aviva group company referred to on this site, by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or distribution would be unlawful or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

The strategies discussed in the website may not be suitable for all investors. Aviva plc and Aviva group companies make no representations that the contents are appropriate for use in all locations, or that the transactions, securities, products, instruments, or services discussed on this site are available or appropriate for sale or use in all jurisdictions or countries, or by all investors or counterparties. By making available information on the website, Aviva plc and Aviva group companies do not represent that any investment vehicle is available or suitable for any particular user. All persons and entities accessing the website do so on their own initiative and are responsible for compliance with applicable local laws and regulations.

The information on the website does not in any way constitute investment, tax, accounting, regulatory, legal or any other form of advice.

Where specific securities are mentioned, it should not be construed as that these are recommendations to buy or sell those securities. All investments involve risk and may lose value. If you require investment advice or are unsure about the meaning of any information provided on this website, please contact an authorised investment adviser.

Past performance is not a guide to future performance.

All investments involve risk and may lose value. The value of your investment can go down depending upon market conditions. Fixed income investments are subject to risk including interest rate, credit, market and issuer risk. Currency exchange rates may cause the value of an investment to go up or down. Alternative strategies involve higher risks than traditional investments, may not be tax efficient, and have higher fees than traditional investments; they may also be highly leveraged and engage in speculative investment techniques, which can magnify the potential for investment loss or gain. BEFORE ACQUIRING THE SHARES OF ANY INVESTMENT FUND BY PURCHASE OR EXCHANGE, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO READ THE FUND'S PROSPECTUS OR OFFERING MATERIALS.In order to satisfy the requirements of the anti-money laundering regulations, additional documentation confirming identification will be required if you make an investment. Prior to making any investment decision, potential investors should conduct such investigation and analysis as they deem appropriate. Such investors should, and are expected to, seek the advice of their own counsel and other professional advisors, especially with respect to any legal, regulatory, tax or accounting treatment of such matters.

Investments in an Aviva plc or Aviva group companies product or client account are not bank deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by Aviva plc,  Aviva group companies or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, any other government agency or any bank.  Please carefully consider a fund's investment objective, risks, charges and expenses before investing.  For this and other information, call or write to Aviva plc and Aviva group companies for a free prospectus or view one online. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

For your protection, telephone calls are usually recorded and monitored.

Validity of information

If you are in any doubt as to the validity of information made available within these pages, or if you wish to rely on this information, then it may be in your best interests to seek verification by contacting us.

This website is for information purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast or predict future events, research or investment advice. The information contained herein should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Any opinions expressed on this website may change as subsequent conditions vary.

Availability

Whilst we take all reasonable steps to ensure this website is always accessible we will not be held liable if, for any reason, the website is unavailable for any period. Internet software or transmission problems may produce inaccurate or incomplete copies of information and materials that may be downloaded and displayed on a user's computer. we are not liable for any damages, changes, or omissions that occur during transmission of information and materials. We may also have to suspend access to the website for routine or emergency updates and maintenance but we will endeavour to keep any disruption to a minimum.

We cannot warrant that this website will be free of viruses or defects of any description. And we will not be held responsible for any technical problems you may suffer as a result of your use of this website.

Disclaimer

EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY STATED IN THESE TERMS OR ON THE WEBSITE, NEITHER AVIVA PLC NOR ANY OTHER AVIVA GROUP COMPANY AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OF USE, PROFITS, SAVINGS OR DATA OR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES OR DAMAGES THAT RESULT FROM USE OR LOSS OF USE OF THIS WEBSITE), WHETHER SUCH LOSSES ARISE IN CONTRACT OR TORT, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION TO THE FOREGOING ANY LOSSES IN RELATION TO YOUR USE OF, RELIANCE UPON OR INABILITY TO USE THE WEBSITE EVEN IF AVIVA PLC OR ANY OTHER AVIVA GROUP COMPANY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR LOSSES. AVIVA PLC OR ANY OTHER AVIVA GROUP COMPANY WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES SUFFERED BY ANY INVESTORS ACCESSING AREAS OF THIS WEBSITE THAT ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR JURISDICTION OR INVESTOR TYPE. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, AVIVA PLC AND AVIVA GROUP COMPANIES DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, IMPLIED, EXPRESS OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, QUALITY OF INFORMATION AND WARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT. AVIVA PLC AND AVIVA GROUP COMPANIES DO NOT WARRANT, EITHER EXPRESSLY OR IMPLIEDLY, THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INFORMATION, TEXT, GRAPHICS, LINKS OR OTHER ITEMS CONTAINED ON THIS WEBSITE. AVIVA PLC AND AVIVA GROUP COMPANIES EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL LIABILITY FOR ERRORS AND OMISSIONS IN THE MATERIALS ON THIS WEBSITE AND FOR THE USE OR INTERPRETATION BY OTHERS OF INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE WEBSITE, REGARDLESS OF CAUSE, OR THE LACK OF TIMELINESS OF, OR FOR ANY DELAY OR INTERRUPTION IN THE TRANSMISSION THEREOF TO THE USER. PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES, SO SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

Third-party websites

This website may also contain hypertext links to websites operated by third parties. The responsibility for the operation and content of those websites shall rest solely with the organisation identified as controlling the third-party website and will be governed by separate terms and conditions. Links are provided for convenience and inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement in any way of the website to which it links. The existence of any such links shall not constitute a representation or warranty by Aviva plc and Aviva group companies regarding such websites, the contents of the websites, the products or services of the websites or the operators of the websites. Your access to and use of such linked websites is governed by the terms of use and privacy policies of those sites, and shall be at your own risk. We accept no responsibility or liability for the contents of any linked website.

We and any other person involved in transmitting information will not be liable for any loss that results from a cause over which that entity does not have direct control. Such causes include, but are not limited to, (1) the failure of electronic or mechanical equipment or communication lines; (2) telephone or other interconnect problems; (3) bugs, errors, configuration problems or the incompatibility of computer hardware or software; (4) the failure or unavailability of Internet access; (5) problems with Internet service providers or other equipment or services relating to your computer or network; (6) problems with intermediate computer or communications networks or facilities; (7) problems with data transmission facilities or your telephone, cable or wireless service; or (8) unauthorised access, theft, operator errors, severe weather, earthquakes, other natural disasters or labor disputes. We are also not responsible for any damage to your computer, software, modem, telephone, wireless device or other property resulting in any way from your use of the website.

Variations

We reserve the right to update these terms from time to time without notice to you. We recommend you regularly revisit this page to ensure you have seen and are aware of our latest terms.

Choice of Law

By accessing this website, both you and Aviva plc and Aviva group companies agree that the statutes and laws in the State of Illinois, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof, will apply to all matters relating to use of this website. If you take legal action relating to these terms, you agree to file such action only in Illinois, and you consent and submit to the personal jurisdiction of those courts for the purpose of litigating any such action.

Aviva Group Companies

Wherever the name Aviva or Aviva Investors is used within these pages, this implies one or more of the following companies, who may or may not offer products or services on this website. Further details can be found on the respective product pages:

Aviva plc.

Registered in England No 02468686. Registered Office St Helens, 1 Undershaft, London EC3P 3DQ.

Aviva Investors Americas LLC

Aviva Investors Americas LLC (SEC# 801-76637) is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Aviva Investors Americas LLC’s principal office and place of business is 225 West Wacker Drive, Suite 2250, Chicago, IL 60606. https://www.avivainvestors.com/en-us/.

Aviva Investors UK Fund Services Limited

Registered in England No. 1973412. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered address: St. Helen’s, 1 Undershaft, London EC3P 3DQ.

Aviva Investors Global Services Limited

Registered in England No. 1151805. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: St. Helen’s, 1 Undershaft, London EC3P 3DQ.

The VAT number for the above companies is 105437300.

All are Aviva plc companies. In addition to the firms listed above, Aviva Investors is the trading name of other firms whose ultimate parent company is also Aviva plc.

Our usage of your personal information is governed by our Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice, which forms part of these terms. Please read the Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice carefully – it deals with your rights and our obligations in relation to your personal data, including what we can do with it, to whom we may disclose it, together with your rights of access.

SEC Information

Certain information provided through this Website has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") (such materials being referred to as "SEC Materials"). The SEC Materials and other public disclosures contained on this Website contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to BlackRock's future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as "trend," "potential," "opportunity," "pipeline," "believe," "comfortable," "expect," "anticipate," "current," "intention," "estimate," "position," "assume," "outlook," "continue," "remain," "maintain," "sustain," "seek," "achieve," and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," "may" or similar expressions.

In addition to risk factors previously disclosed in SEC Materials and those identified elsewhere in this Website, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: (1) the introduction, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives and strategies; (2) changes and volatility in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment, foreign exchange rates or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for products or services or in the value of assets under management; (3) the relative and absolute investment performance of Aviva plc’s or Aviva group companies’ investment products; (4) the impact of increased competition; (5) the impact of future acquisitions or divestitures; (6) the unfavorable resolution of legal proceedings; (7) the extent and timing of any share repurchases; (8) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes and the adequacy of intellectual property and information security protection; (9) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, including but not limited to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to Aviva plc or Aviva group companies.; (10) terrorist activities, international hostilities and natural disasters, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or Aviva plc and Aviva group companies; (11) the ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (12) the impact of changes to tax legislation, including income, payroll and transaction taxes, and taxation on products or transactions, which could affect the value proposition to clients and, generally, the tax position of the Company; (13) Aviva plc and Aviva group companies's success in maintaining the distribution of its products; (14) the impact of Aviva plc and Aviva group companies electing to provide support to its products from time to time and any potential liabilities related to securities lending or other indemnification obligations; and (15) the impact of problems at other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products at other financial institutions.

Aviva Investors Americas LLC latest Form ADV is filed with the SEC, accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on this website , discusses these factors in more detail and identifies additional factors that can affect forward-looking statements.

Privacy statement

Aviva Investors are committed to treating your personal information with all the respect and transparency you would expect of us.

Trust us to respect your privacy

When you visit this website and in the course of our providing services to you, we may collect personal information such as your name, email and postal address. This Privacy Notice explains how Aviva Investors Americas LLC (“we”, “us” or “our”) collects this information from you and how this information is then used. 

Data Protection Act – information uses

For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the EU Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC), the Data Controller in relation to any personal data you supply is Aviva Investors Global Services Limited, a member of the Aviva group of companies. We, other members of the Aviva plc group and its agents may use your information to keep you informed by post, telephone, email or other means of products and services that may be of interest to you. If you do not wish your information to be used for these purposes please write to the Aviva Investors, please write to the Data Protection Manager, Aviva Investors Global Services Limited, St. Helen’s, 1 Undershaft, London EC3P 3DQ.

Calls to Aviva Investors may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.

In the case of personal data, with limited exceptions, and on payment of the appropriate fee, you have the right to access and if necessary, rectify information held about you.

Termination and Severability

Aviva plc or other Aviva group companies may terminate your access to the website for any reason, without prior notice. If any provision of these terms is deemed unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision will be deemed severable from these terms and will not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions.

Prohibited Uses

Except as otherwise stated in these Terms or as expressly authorized by Aviva plc or other Aviva group company in writing, you may not:

·  Use this Website in any manner that could damage or overburden any Aviva plc or other Aviva group company server, or any network connected to any Aviva plc or other Aviva group company server, as all servers have limited capacity and are used by many people;

·  Use this Website in any manner that would interfere with another party's use of the Website;

·  Include the term " Aviva plc” or other Aviva group company name or any Aviva trademark or executive's name, or any variation of the foregoing, as a meta-tag, hidden textual element;

·  Use any robot, spider, intelligent agent, other automatic device, or manual process to search, monitor or copy this Website or the reports, data, information, content, software, products services, or other materials on, generated by or obtained from this Website, whether through links or otherwise (collectively, "Materials"), without Aviva plc or other Aviva group company's permission, provided that generally available third-party web browsers may be used without such permission; or

·  Use this Website or the Materials in any manner that could create impression of affiliation, sponsorship or endorsement by Aviva plc or other Aviva group company.

The preceding Terms of use represent the entire agreement between Aviva plc or other Aviva group companies and the user relating to the subject matter herein.