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This brief statement does not disclose all of the risks
and other significant aspects of trading in futures and options. In light of
the risks, you should undertake such transactions only if you understand the
nature of the contracts (and contractual relationships) into which you are
entering and the extent of your exposure to risk. Trading in futures and
options is not suitable for many members of the public. You should carefully
consider whether trading is appropriate for you in light of your experience,
objectives, financial resources and other relevant circumstances.
FUTURES
1. Effect of "Leverage" or "Gearing"
Transactions in futures carry a high
degree of risk. The amount of initial margin is small relative to the value of
the futures contract so that transactions are “leveraged” or “geared.” A
relatively small market movement will have a proportionately larger impact on
the funds you have deposited or will have to deposit: this may work against you
as well as for you. You may sustain a total loss of initial margin funds and
any additional funds deposited with the firm to maintain your position. If the
market moves against your position or margin levels are increased, you may be
called upon to pay substantial additional funds on short notice to maintain
your position. If you fail to comply with a request for additional funds within
the time prescribed, your position may be liquidated at a loss and you will be
liable for any resulting deficit.
2. Risk-reducing orders or strategies
The placing of certain orders (e.g.,
"stop-loss" orders, where permitted under local law, or "stop-limit" orders)
which are intended to limit losses to certain amounts may not be effective
because market conditions may make it impossible to execute such orders.
Strategies using combinations of positions, such as "spread" and "straddle"
positions, may be as risky as taking simple "long" or "short" positions.
OPTIONS
3. Variable degree of risk: Transactions in options carry a high degree of risk.
Purchasers and sellers of options should familiarize themselves with the type
of option (i.e., put or call) which they contemplate trading and the associated
risks. You should calculate the extent to which the value of the options must
increase for your position to become profitable, taking into account the
premium and all transaction costs. The purchaser of options may offset or
exercise the options or allow the options to expire. The exercise of an option
results either in a cash settlement or in the purchaser acquiring or delivering
the underlying interest. If the option is on a future, the purchaser will
acquire a futures position with associated liabilities for margin (see the
section on Futures above). If the purchased options expire worthless, you will
suffer a total loss of your investment which will consist of the option premium
plus transaction costs. If you are contemplating purchasing
deep-out-of-the-money options, you should be aware that the chance of such
options becoming profitable ordinarily is remote. Selling ("writing" or
"granting") an option generally entails considerably greater risk than
purchasing options. Although the premium received by the seller is fixed, the
seller may sustain a loss well in excess of that amount. The seller will be
liable for additional margin to maintain the position if the market moves
unfavorably. The seller will also be exposed to the risk of the purchaser
exercising the option and the seller will be obligated to either settle the
option in cash or to acquire or deliver the underlying interest. If the option
is on a future, the seller will acquire a position in a future with associated
liabilities for margin (see the section on Futures above). If the option is
"covered" by the seller holding a corresponding position in the underlying
interest or a future or another option, the risk may be reduced. If the option
is not covered, the risk of loss can be unlimited. Certain exchanges in some
jurisdictions permit deferred payment of the option premium, exposing the
purchaser to liability for margin payments not exceeding the amount of the
premium. The purchaser is still subject to the risk of losing the premium and
transaction costs. When the option is exercised or expires, the purchaser is
responsible for any unpaid premium outstanding at that time.
ADDITIONAL RISKS COMMON TO FUTURES AND OPTIONS
4. Terms and conditions of contracts:
You should ask the firm with which you
deal about the terms and conditions of the specific futures or options which
you are trading and associated obligations (e.g., the circumstances under which
you may become obligated to make or take delivery of the underlying interest of
a futures contract and, in respect of options, expiration dates and
restrictions on the time for exercise). Under certain circumstances the
specifications of outstanding contracts (including the exercise price of an
option) may be modified by the exchange or clearing house to reflect changes in
the underlying interest.
5. Suspension or restriction of trading and pricing relationships:
Market
conditions (e.g., illiquidity) and/or the operation of the rules of certain
markets (e.g., the suspension of trading in any contract or contract month
because of price limits or "circuit breakers") may increase the risk of loss by
making it difficult or impossible to effect transactions or liquidate/offset
positions. If you have sold options, this may increase the risk of loss.
Further, normal pricing relationships between the underlying interest and the
future, and the underlying interest and the option may not exist. This can
occur when, for example, the futures contract underlying the option is subject
to price limits while the option is not. The absence of an underlying reference
price may make it difficult to judge "fair" value.
6. Deposited cash and property:
You should familiarize yourself with the
protections accorded money or other property you deposit for domestic and
foreign transactions, particularly in the event of a firm insolvency or
bankruptcy. The extent to which you may recover your money or property may be
governed by specific legislation or local rules. In some jurisdictions,
property which has been specifically identifiable as your own will be pro-rated
in the same manner as cash for purposes of distribution in the event of a
shortfall.
7. Commission and other charges:
Before you begin to trade, you should obtain a
clear explanation of all commission, fees and other charges for which you will
be liable. These charges will affect your net profit (if any) or increase your
loss.
8. Transactions in other jurisdictions:
Transactions on markets in other
jurisdictions, including markets formally linked to a domestic market, may
expose you to additional risk. Such markets may be subject to regulation which
may offer different or diminished investor protection. Before you trade you
should enquire about any rules relevant to your particular transactions. Your
local regulatory authority will be unable to compel the enforcement of the
rules of regulatory authorities or markets in other jurisdictions where your
transactions have been effected. You should ask the firm with which you deal
for details about the types of redress available in both your home jurisdiction
and other relevant jurisdictions before you start to trade.
9. Currency risks:
The profit or loss in transactions in foreign
currency-denominated contracts (whether they are traded in your own or another
jurisdiction) will be affected by fluctuations in currency rates where there is
a need to convert from the currency denomination of the contract to another
currency.
10. Trading facilities:
Most open-outcry and electronic trading facilities are
supported by computer-based component systems for the order-routing, execution,
matching, registration or clearing of trades. As with all facilities and
systems, they are vulnerable to temporary disruption or failure. Your ability
to recover certain losses may be subject to limits on liability imposed by the
system provider, the market, the clearing house and/or member firms. Such
limits may vary; you should ask the firm with which you deal for details in
this respect.
11. Electronic trading:
Trading on an electronic trading system may differ not only from
trading in an open-outcry market but also from trading on other electronic
trading systems. If you undertake transactions on an electronic trading system,
you will be exposed to risks associated with the system including the failure
of hardware and software. The result of any system failure may be that your
order is either not executed according to your instructions or is not executed
at all.
12. Off-exchange transactions: In some jurisdictions, and only then in
restricted circumstances, firms are permitted to effect off-exchange
transactions. The firm with which you deal may be acting as your counterparty
to the transaction. It may be difficult or impossible to liquidate an existing
position, to assess the value, to determine a fair price or to assess the
exposure to risk. For these reasons, these transactions may involve increased
risks. Off-exchange transactions may be less regulated or subject to a separate
regulatory regime. Before you undertake such transactions, you should
familiarize yourself with applicable rules and attendant risks.
Commodities, Futures, CFD and Forex are leveraged products and carry a high degree of risk to your capital and it is possible to lose more than your initial investment and account balance. You should only speculate with money that you can afford to lose. These investments may not be suitable for all investors, therefore, please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved and seek independent advice if necessary prior to entering into such transactions.
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