CFTC REQUIRED RISK DISCLOSURE
STATEMENT FOR FUTURES AND OPTIONS-RULE 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 care-fully
consider whether trading is appropriate for you in light of your
experience, objectives, financial resources and other relevant
circumstances.
FUTURES:
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EFFECT OF " LEVERAGE " OR
"GEARING"
Transactions in futures carry a
high degree of risk. The amount 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.
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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:
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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 purchases
will acquire a future 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.
ADDITIONAL RISKS COMMON TO FUTURES
AND OPTIONS:
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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 (i.e. the
circumstances under which you may become obligated to make or take
deliver 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.
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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 options is not. The absence of an underlying
reference price may make it difficult to judge "fair"
value.
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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 b 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
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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 differ 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 jurisdictions and other relevant jurisdictions
before you start to trade.
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CURRENCY RISKS
The profit or loss in transactions in foreign currency-denominated
contracts (wheter they are traded in your own or another
jurisdiction) will be affected by fluctuations in currency rates
where there is a need to convert form the currency denomination of
the contract to another currency.
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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.
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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.
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OFF – CHANGE 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.
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