Additional information 332 ■ Potential litigation involving Aegon or the insurance industry in general; ■ Changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities research analysts; ■ Fluctuations in capital markets including foreign exchange rates, interest rates and equity markets; ■ The performance of other companies in the insurance sector; ■ Regulatory developments in the Netherlands, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries in which Aegon operates; ■ International political and economic conditions, including the effects of terrorist attacks, military operations and other  developments stemming from such events, and the uncertainty related to these developments; ■ News or analyst reports related to markets or industries in which Aegon operates; ■ General insurance market conditions. The high and low prices of Aegon’s common shares on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam were EUR 4.89 and EUR 3.05 respectively in  2012 and EUR 6.86 and EUR 4.42 respectively in 2013. The high and low sales prices of Aegon's common shares on NYSE New York  were USD 6.47 and USD 3.92 respectively in 2012 and USD 9.48 and USD 5.76 respectively in 2013. All share prices are closing prices. Aegon may decide to offer additional common shares in the future, for example, to strengthen Aegon’s capital position in response to  regulatory changes or to effect an acquisition.  In connection with its refinancing in September 2002, Vereniging Aegon entered into an equity repurchase facility and a back-up credit  facility. On February 9, 2010, both facilities were replaced by a three year term and revolving facilities agreement with a consortium of  banks. In 2013, Vereniging Aegon entered into a new three year term and revolving facilities agreement with the same consortium of  banks, replacing the three year term and revolving facilities agreement entered into in 2010. Under this agreement, Aegon's common  shares in the possession of Vereniging Aegon are pledged to the consortium of banks. If Vereniging Aegon were to default under the  facilities agreement in force at that time, the lenders may dispose of Aegon's common shares held by them as collateral in order to  satisfy amounts outstanding.  An additional offering of common shares by Aegon, the restructuring of Aegon’s share capital, the sales of common shares by  significant shareholders or by lenders to Vereniging Aegon, or the public perception that an offering or such sales may occur, may have  an adverse effect on the market price of Aegon's common shares. As of December 31, 2013, there were 2,131,458,863 common  shares and 579,005,440 common shares B issued. Of these Vereniging Aegon held 292,687,444 common shares and all issued  common shares B. All of Aegon's outstanding common shares are freely tradable, and all shareholders, including large shareholders  such as Vereniging Aegon, are free to resell their common shares at any time.  Prior to September 2002, Vereniging Aegon beneficially owned approximately 52% of the voting shares and thus held voting control  over Aegon. In September 2002, Vereniging Aegon reduced its beneficial ownership to approximately 33% of the voting shares  (excluding issued common shares held in treasury by Aegon). In 2003, Aegon and Vereniging Aegon amended the 1983 Merger  Agreement, resulting in a right for Vereniging Aegon, upon issuance of shares by Aegon, to purchase as many class B preferred shares  existing at that time as would enable it to prevent or offset a dilution to below its actual voting power percentage of 33%. In 2013,  Aegon N.V. and Vereniging Aegon entered into an agreement to simplify the capital structure of Aegon and to cancel all of Aegon’s  preferred shares, of which Vereniging Aegon was the sole owner. The execution of this agreement was approved by the General  Meeting of Shareholders of Aegon N.V. on May 15, 2013. For details on the simplification of the corporate structure, please see the  section Major Shareholders at page 307 to 309. The simplified capital structure included an amendment to the Amended 1983 Merger Agreement between Aegon N.V. and Vereniging  Aegon. Following this 2013 amendment, Vereniging Aegon’s call option relates to common shares B. Vereniging Aegon may exercise its  call option to keep or restore its total stake at 32.6%, irrespective of the circumstances which cause the total shareholding to be or  become lower than 32.6%. Annual Report 2013 Vereniging Aegon, Aegon’s major shareholder, holds a large percentage of the voting shares and therefore has significant  influence over Aegon’s corporate actions. Aegon and Aegon’s significant shareholders may offer additional common shares in the future, and these and other sales may  adversely affect the market price of the outstanding common shares.