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RISK DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
FOR CURRENCY, FUTURES AND OPTIONS
The following statement is furnished
pursuant to Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
Regulation 1.55(c).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.
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.
3. Options - 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.
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 had been specifically identifiable as your own will be prorated
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 (FX
Trading is Off-exchange)
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.
FULL RISK DISCLOSURE
Futures and Forex trading
contain substantial risk and is not for every investor. An investor
could potentially lose all or more than the initial investment.Risk
capital is money that can be lost without jeopardizing ones financial
security or life style.Only risk capital should be used for trading
and Only those with sufficient risk capital should consider trading.
Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
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