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Volatility

ETRACS Daily Short S&P 500 VIX Futures ETNs

There are six different series of ETRACS Daily Short S&P 500 VIX Futures ETNs (each, an "ETN" and collectively, the "ETNs"). Each series of ETN provides short (inverse) exposure to the performance of a particular index in the S&P 500 VIX Futures Index Series (each, an "Index" and collectively, the "Indices"), reduced by investor fees.

Each series of the ETNs is designed as a trading vehicle for sophisticated investors. The ETNs are not intended to be a "buy and hold" investment.

Each Index is an excess return index and is composed of futures contracts on the CBOE Volatility Index (the "VIX Index") having a constant weighted average maturity ranging from one month to six months, depending on the series of the ETNs purchased. The Indices are rolling Indices, each of which rolls on a daily basis according to a pre-determined schedule that has the effect of keeping constant the weighted average maturity of the underlying futures contracts.

Two of the Indices were created in January 2009 and four of the Indices were created in August 2011, and have no performance history prior to those respective dates.

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*From August 2011

Historical results for the period from August 31, 2011 through December 31, 2011.

Source: UBS Investment Bank, publicly available data.

Historical information presented is as of December 31, 2011 and is furnished as a matter of information only. Historical performance of the Index is not an indication of future performance. Future performance of the Index may differ significantly from historical performance, either positively or negatively.

The ETRACS ETNs are subject to investor fees. As a result, the return on the ETNs will always be lower than the total return on a direct investment in the Index or the Index constituents.

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Index comparisons

The graph illustrates the historical returns of the Index from August 31, 2011 through December 31, 2011 in comparison with other benchmark indices. Historical performance of the Index is not an indication of future performance. Future performance of the Index may differ significantly from historical performance, either positively or negatively. The ETRACS ETNs are subject to investor fees. As a result, the return on the ETNs will always be lower than the total return on a direct investment in the Index or the Index constituents.

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Key benefits & Selected risk considerations

Benefits:

• Access to an innovative suite of products that seeks to provide investors with short (inverse) exposure to futures contracts on the VIX Index having a constant weighted average maturity ranging from one month to six months.
• Ability to trade six specific maturities on the VIX Index futures curve, all by way of exchange-traded securities.
• Daily rolling of the underlying futures contracts ensures that each Index maintains a constant weighted average futures maturity.

Selected risk considerations:

An investment in the ETNs involves risks. Selected risks are summarized here, but we urge you to read the more detailed explanation of risks described in the "Risk Factors" section of the prospectus supplement for the ETNs (the "ETRACS Prospectus"). Capitalized terms used below (and elsewhere in this document) but not defined herein shall have the meanings attributed to them in the ETRACS Prospectus.

• Short (Inverse) Exposure to the relevant Index — Because your investment in the ETNs of any series is linked to the inverse performance of the relevant Index, any increase in the level of that Index would result in a decrease in the amount you will be paid at maturity, call, acceleration or upon early redemption.
• You may lose some or all of your investment — The ETNs are fully exposed to any increase in the Index Closing Level over the term of the ETNs as measured on the applicable Valuation Date or the Final Valuation Date. Because the negative effect of the Tracking Fee, Event Risk Weekly Hedge Cost and the Redemption Fee, if applicable, reduces your final payment, the change in the Index Closing Level over the term of the ETNs will need to be sufficient to offset the negative effect of the Tracking Fee, the Event Risk Weekly Hedge Cost and the Redemption Fee, if applicable, in order for you to receive a payment at maturity equal to your initial investment in the ETNs. If the level of the relevant Index is not sufficient to offset the negative effect of the Tracking Fee, the Event Risk Weekly Hedge Cost and the Redemption Fee, if applicable, over the relevant period, you will lose some or all of your investment at maturity or call, upon acceleration or upon early redemption.
• Market risk — The return on the ETNs, which may be positive or negative, is linked to the inverse return of the relevant Index as measured by the Daily Index Factor, which, in turn, is affected by a variety of market and economic factors, such as interest rates and volatility, and economic, financial, political, regulatory, judicial or other events that affect the futures contracts or the markets generally.
• Credit of UBS — The ETNs are senior unsecured debt obligations of the issuer, UBS, 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 call, upon acceleration or upon early redemption, depends on the ability of UBS to satisfy its obligations as they come due. As a result, the actual and perceived creditworthiness of UBS will affect the market value, if any, of the ETNs prior to maturity or call, upon acceleration or upon early redemption. In addition, in the event UBS were to default on its obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the terms of the ETNs.
• A trading market for the ETNs may not develop — Although each series of ETNs has been approved for listing on NYSE Arca, subject to official notice of issuance, a trading market for the ETNs may not develop. Certain affiliates of UBS may engage in limited purchase and resale transactions in each series of ETNs, although they are not required to and may stop at any time. We are not required to maintain any listing of any series of ETNs on NYSE Arca or any other exchange. In addition, we are not obliged to, and may not, sell the full aggregate principal amount of each series of ETNs shown on the cover of this prospectus supplement. We may suspend or cease sales of any series of ETNs at any time, at our discretion. Therefore, the liquidity of any series of ETNs may be limited.
• Not a "buy and hold" investment — EACH OF THE ETNs IS DESIGNED FOR TRADERS. IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE EFFECTS OF DAILY RESETS, THE NEGATIVE CARRY ASSOCIATED WITH VIX FUTURES AND THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THE EVENT RISK WEEKLY HEDGE COST, THEN YOU SHOULD NOT INVEST IN THE ETNs. The ETNs are designed as a trading vehicle for sophisticated investors who understand the risks of investing in the inverse performance of an index comprised of futures contracts on the VIX Index having a constant weighted average maturity ranging from one month to six months. DUE TO CERTAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ETNs, INCLUDING THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THE EVENT RISK WEEKLY HEDGE COST, WHICH WILL BE SIGNIFICANT OVER LONGER PERIODS OF TIME, THE ETNS ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE A "BUY AND HOLD" INVESTMENT. Moreover, the contracts included in the relevant Index have historically traded in "contango" markets. Contango markets are those in which the prices of near term contracts are lower than contracts expiring further in the future. VIX futures have frequently exhibited very high contango in the past and will likely do so again in the future. However, the contracts included in the relevant Index have at times traded in "backwardation" and may do so in the future. Backwardated markets are those in which the prices of near term contracts are higher than contracts expiring further in the future, resulting in a positive yield on the relevant Index as the futures are "rolled" each day. Because the existence of backwardation will result in positive "roll yields" on the relevant Index, it will have the opposite affect on the relevant ETNs, effectively resulting in negative "roll yields" on the applicable ETNs because the ETNs provide short (inverse) exposure to the relevant Index and therefore lose value when the relevant Index appreciates in value. Therefore, if the term structure of the VIX futures markets is in backwardation, the value of the ETNs will be adversely affected.
• The impact of the Event Risk Weekly Hedge Cost will increase over time and will significantly impact the return on the ETNs — The Event Risk Weekly Hedge Cost represents the general cost to UBS to hedge overnight extreme market movements. The cost of 7.7 basis points (0.077%) represents a weekly cost which is the expected cost to hedge the event risk associated with this product. If the ETNs were to be held for one year, the annualized cost of the Event Risk Weekly Hedge Cost would be approximately 4%. Due to this negative effect over a longer time period, the ETNs are not intended as buy and hold investments and should be considered as short term trading vehicles only.
• The ETNs may not protect against price and/or value increases — The ETNs may not provide a hedge against an increase in the value of the S&P 500® Index or the equities comprising the S&P 500® Index.
• Limited performance history — The return on each series of ETNs is linked to the performance of the relevant Index. Each of the S&P 500 VIX 2-Month Futures Index, S&P 500 VIX 3-Month Futures Index, S&P 500 VIX 4-Month Futures Index and S&P 500 VIX 6-Month Futures Index was introduced in August 2011 (see "S&P 500 VIX Indices—Historical and Estimated Historical Performance", in the ETRACS Prospectus). In addition, the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index and S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures Index were introduced in January 2009. As a result, each of the Indices has a limited performance history and limited historical information will be available for you to consider in making an independent investigation of the relevant Index performance. This may make it more difficult for you to make an informed decision with respect to an investment in a series of the ETNs than if the relevant Index had a longer performance history. It is uncertain how any Index will perform in the future.
• No interest payments from the ETNs — You will not receive any interest payments on the ETNs.
• No redemption prior to September 19, 2011 — You may elect to redeem your ETNs on or after September 19, 2011. Accordingly, your ability to liquidate the ETNs may be limited prior to that date.
• Minimum redemption amount — You must elect to redeem at least 25,000 ETNs of the same series for UBS to repurchase your ETNs, unless we determine otherwise or your broker or other financial intermediary bundles your ETNs for redemption with those of other investors to reach this minimum requirement, - and there can be no assurance that they can or will do so. Therefore, the liquidity of the ETNs may be limited.
• Your redemption election is irrevocable — You will not be able to rescind your election to redeem your ETNs after your redemption notice is received by UBS. Accordingly, you will be exposed to market risk in the event market conditions change after UBS receives your offer and the Redemption Amount is determined on the applicable Valuation Date.
• Potential automatic acceleration — In the event (i) the indicative value of the ETNs of any series equals $5.00 or less on any Trading Day or (ii) the intraday index value increases in value at least 60% as compared to the Index Closing Level on the previous Trading Day, all ETNs of that series will be automatically accelerated and mandatorily redeemed by UBS and you will receive a cash payment equal to the Acceleration Amount.
• 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.
• UBS's Call Right — UBS may elect to redeem all outstanding ETNs of any series at any time on any Trading Day on or after September 12, 2012, as described under "Specific Terms of the Securities — UBS's Call Right" in the ETRACS Prospectus. If UBS exercises its Call Right, the Call Settlement Amount may be less than your initial investment in the ETNs of that series, and therefore you may lost some or all of your initial investment.

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Important legal information specific to ETRACS ETNs Important legal and regulatory information: Disclaimer  Privacy policy  Business continuity (pdf)

UBS has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented by a prospectus supplement for each offering of the ETRACS ETNs) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the offerings to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read these documents and any other documents that UBS has filed with the SEC for more complete information about UBS and the offerings to which this communication relates. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, you can request the prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement by calling toll-free (+1-877-387 2275).

Products and services in this web site may not be available for residents of certain jurisdictions. Please consult the restrictions relating to the product or service in question for further information. Activities with respect to US securities are conducted through UBS Securities LLC, a US broker dealer. Member of SIPC.

For information as to which entity provides the services in each jurisdiction, click here.

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