1. The prices of securities fluctuate, sometimes dramatically. The price of a security may move up or down, and may become valueless. It is as likely that losses will be incurred rather than profit made as a result of buying and selling securities.
2. Any representation of past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance.
3. Where investments involve exposure to foreign currencies, changes in rates of exchange may cause the value of the investments to fluctuate up or down.
4. Investments in emerging markets need careful and independent assessment by you of each investment and the risks (including without limitation sovereign risk, issuer risk, price risk, liquidity risk, legal and tax risks). Further, you should be aware that, while such investments can yield high gains, they can also be highly risky as the markets are unpredictable and there may be inadequate regulations and safeguards available to investors.
5. YSHK is entitled to act upon your instructions and you cannot assume that YSHK will warn you if your instructions are ill-timed or inadvisable for any reason or if the instructions are likely to cause you loss.
6. Before you make any investment, 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. ​​

The risk of loss in financing a transaction by deposit of collateral is significant. You may sustain losses in excess of your cash and any other assets deposited as collateral with YSHK. Market conditions may make it impossible to execute contingent orders, such as ‘stop-loss’ or “stop-limit” orders. You may be called upon at short notice to make additional margin deposits or interest payments. If the required margin deposits or interest payments are not made within the prescribed time, your collateral may be liquidated without your consent. You should closely monitor your positions, as in some market conditions we may be unable to contact you or provide you with sufficient time to make the required deposits, and forced liquidation may be necessary. Moreover, you will remain liable for any resulting deficit in your account and interest charged on your account. You should therefore carefully consider whether such a financing arrangement is suitable in light of your own financial position and investment objectives.

There is risk if you provide YSHK with an authority that allows YSHK to apply your securities or securities collateral pursuant to a securities borrowing and lending agreement, repledge your securities collateral for financial accommodation or deposit your securities collateral as collateral for the discharge and satisfaction of YSHK’s settlement obligations and liabilities.
If your securities or securities collateral are received or held by YSHK in Hong Kong, the above arrangement is allowed only if you consent in writing. Moreover, unless you are a professional investor, your authority must specify the period for which it is current and be limited to not more than 12 months. If you are a professional investor, these restrictions do not apply.
Additionally, your authority may be deemed to be renewed (i.e. without your written consent) if YSHK issues you a reminder at least 14 days prior to the expiry of the authority, and you do not object to such deemed renewal before the expiry date of your then existing authority.
You are not required by any law to sign these authorities. But an authority may be required by YSHK, for example, to facilitate margin lending to you or to allow your securities or securities collateral to be lent to or deposited as collateral with third parties. YSHK should explain to you the purposes for which one of these authorities is to be used.
If you sign one of these authorities and your securities or securities collateral are lent to or deposited with third parties, those third parties will have a lien or charge on your securities or securities collateral. Although YSHK is responsible to you for securities or securities collateral lent or deposited under your authority, a default by it could result in the loss of your securities or securities collateral.
A securities cash account not involving securities borrowing and lending is available from YSHK. If you do not require margin facilities or do not wish your securities or securities collateral to be lent or pledged, you should not sign the above authorities and ask to open this type of securities cash account. 

Growth Enterprise Market (“GEM”) stocks involve a high investment risk. In particular, companies may list on GEM with neither a track record of profitability nor any obligation to forecast future profitability. GEM stocks may be very volatile and illiquid. You should make the decision to invest only after due and careful consideration. The greater risk profile and other characteristics of GEM mean that it is a market more suited to professional and other sophisticated investors.
Current information on GEM stocks may only be found on the internet website operated by the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. GEM Companies are usually not required to issue paid announcements in gazetted newspapers.
You should seek independent professional advice if you are uncertain of or have not understood any aspect of this risk disclosure statement or the nature and risks involved in trading of GEM stocks.

The securities traded under the Nasdaq-Amex Pilot Program (the “PP”) are aimed at sophisticated investors. You should consult YSHK and become familiarised with the PP before trading in the PP securities. You should be aware that the PP securities are not regulated as a primary or secondary listing on the Main Board or the Growth Enterprise market of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.​

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. Risks Of Trading Futures And Options
1.1 The risk of loss in trading futures contracts or options is substantial. In some circumstances, you may sustain losses in excess of your initial margin funds. Placing contingent orders, such as “stoploss” or “stop-limit” orders, will not necessarily avoid loss. Market conditions may make it impossible to execute such orders. You may be called upon at short notice to deposit additional margin funds. If the required funds are not provided within the prescribed time, your position may be liquidated. You will remain liable for any resulting deficit in your account. You should therefore study and understand futures contracts and options before you trade and carefully consider whether such trading is suitable in light of your own financial position and investment objectives. If you trade options you should inform yourself of exercise and expiration procedures and your rights and obligations upon exercise or expiry.
FUTURES
2. Effect Of Leverage Or “Gearing”
2.1 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 YSHK 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.
3. Risk-Reducing Orders Or Strategies
3.1 The placing of certain orders (e.g. “stop-loss” orders, 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
4. Variable Degree Of Risk
4.1 Transactions in options carry a high degree of risk. Purchasers and sellers of options should familiarise themselves with the type of option (i.e. put or call) which they contemplate trading and the associated risks.
Warning to option holders
• Some options may only be exercised on an expiry day (European-Style Exercise) and other options may be exercised at any time before expiration (American-Style Exercise). Upon exercise, some options require delivery and receipt of the underlying securities, and that other options require a cash payment.
• An option is a wasting asset and there is a possibility that as an option holder you may suffer the loss of the total premium paid for the option. As an option holder, in order to realise a profit it will be necessary to either exercise the option or close the long option position in the market. Under some circumstances it may be difficult to trade the option due to lack of liquidity in the market. You acknowledge that YSHK has no obligation either to exercise a valuable option in the absence of your instruction, or to give to you prior notice of the expiration date of the option.
Warning to option writers
• As a writer of an option, you may be required to pay additional margin at any time. You acknowledge that as an option writer, unlike an option holder, you may be liable for unlimited losses based on the rise or fall of the price of the underlying securities and you gain are limited to the option premium.
• Additionally, writers of American-Style Call (Put) Options may be required at any time before expiry to deliver (or pay for) the underlying securities to the full value of the strike price multiplied by the number of underlying securities. You recognize that this obligation may be wholly disproportionate to the value of premium received at the time the options were written and may be required at short notice. 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.
4.2 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 futures contract, 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.
4.3 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 unfavourably. 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 futures contract, the seller will acquire a position in a futures contract 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 futures contract or another option, the risk may be reduced. If the option is not covered, the risk of loss can be unlimited.
4.4 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
5. Terms And Conditions Of Contracts
5.1 You should ask YSHK 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 obliged 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.
6. Suspension Or Restriction Of Trading And Pricing Relationships
6.1 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.
6.2 Further, normal pricing relationships between the underlying interest and the futures, 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”.
7. Deposited Cash And Property
7.1 You should familiarise yourself with the protections given to 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 pro-rated in the same manner as cash for purposes of distribution in the event of a shortfall.
8. Commission And Other Charges
8.1 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. By commencing any trading activities with YSHK, you acknowledge that you have been so informed by YSHK.
9. Transactions In Other Jurisdictions
9.1 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 YSHK about the types of redress available in both your home jurisdiction and other relevant jurisdictions before you start to trade.
10. Currency Risks
10.1 The profit or loss in transaction 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.
11. Trading Facilities
11.1 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 participant firms. Such limits may vary; you should ask YSHK for details in this respect.
 12. Electronic Trading
12.1 Trading on an electronic trading system may differ 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.
13. Off–Exchange Transactions
13.1 In some jurisdictions, and only then in restricted circumstances, firms are permitted to effect off-exchange transactions. YSHK 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 familiarise yourself with applicable rules and attendant risks.
14. Margin or Additional margin Requirements or Demands For Variation Adjustment
14.1 You agree to provide to and maintain with YSHK such margin together with such guarantees and other security in such form and amount and on such terms as YSHK may in its absolute discretion require from time to time. Such margin requirements established by YSHK may exceed any margin requirements prescribed by any Exchange or Clearing house or broker. YSHK may change margin requirement in its sole discretion and at any time without prior to the Client. If YSHK determines that additional margin is required, the Client agrees to deposit with YSHK such additional margin forthwith upon demand.
14.2 In respect of all futures contracts and/or option contracts entered into by YSHK on behalf of the Client, the client shall provide to YSHK such margin or additional margin or demands for variation adjustment as YSHK may in its absolute discretion require immediately upon demand. Such calls for margin or additional margin requirements or demands for variation adjustment by YSHK may exceed the margin requirements or variation adjustments prescribed by Futures Exchange or Clearing House and may be changed by YSHK with immediate effect without prior notice to the Client. YSHK is obliged to report to the Futures Exchange particulars of all Open Contracts in respect of which the Client has failed on two successive occasions to meet a demand for margin or additional margin or variation adjustments and YSHK may close out the Client’s Open Contracts in respect of which any demand for margin or additional margin variation adjustments has not been met.

This risk disclosure statement does not purport to disclose or discuss all of the risks, or other significant aspects, of conducting transactions or of the transactions conducted. Exchange traded derivatives products involve high risks and is not suitable for all types of investors. Prior to trading in any exchange traded derivatives products, you should consider the suitability of the transaction to your particular circumstances and financial position. You should also have a thorough understanding of the product as well as the terms and conditions of the product being offered and consult your brokers or other professional advisors where necessary. Yuanta Securities (Hong Kong) Company Limited owes no duty to exercise any judgment on your behalf as to the merits or suitability of any transactions, security or instruments.
1. DERIVATIVE WARRANTS
Derivative warrants are an instrument that gives an investor the right to “buy” or “sell” an underlying asset at a pre-set price prior to a specified expiry date. At expiry, settlement is usually made in cash rather than a purchase or sale of the underlying asset.
Derivative warrants can be issued over a range of assets, including stocks, stock indices, currencies, commodities, or a basket of securities. They are generally divided into two types: calls and puts. Holders of call warrants have the right, but not obligation, to purchase from the issuer a give amount of the underlying asset at a predetermined price (also known as the exercise price) within a certain time period. Conversely, holders of put warrants have the right, but not obligation, to sell to the issuer a given amount of the underlying asset at a predetermined price within a certain time period.
1.1 RISK OF TRADING DERTIVATIVE WARRANTS
(a) Issuer risk
Derivative warrant holders are unsecured creditors of the issuer and they have no preferential claim to any assets an issuer may hold. Therefore, investors are exposed to credit risk in respect to the issuer. 
(b) Gearing risk
Although derivative warrants may cost a fraction of the price of the underlying assets, a derivative warrant may change in value more or less rapidly than the underlying assets. In the worst case the value of the derivative warrants falls to zero and holders may lose their entire purchase price.
(c) Limited life
Unlike stocks, derivative warrants have an expiry date and therefore a limited life. Unless the derivative warrants are in-the-money, they become worthless at expiration.
(d) Time decay
The value of derivative warrants will decrease over time. Therefore, derivative warrants should never be viewed as products that are bought and held as long term investments.
(e) Volatility
An increase in the volatility of the underlying asset should lead to a higher warrant price and a decrease in volatility lead to a lower derivative warrant price.
(f) Market forces
In addition to the basic factors that determine the theoretical price of a derivative warrant, derivative warrant prices are also affected by the demand for and supply of the derivative warrants. Supply and Demand forces maybe greatest when a derivative warrant issue is almost sold out and when there are further issues of an existing derivative warrant.
(g) Turnover
High turnover in a derivative warrant should not be regarded as an indication that its price will go up. The price of a derivative warrant is affected by many factors from market forces to technical matters such as the price of the underlying asset, the volatility of the price of the underlying asset, the time remaining to expiry, interest rates and the expected dividend on the underlying asset.
2. CALLABLE BULL/BEAR CONTRACTS
Callable Bull/Bear Contracts (“CBBC”) are a type of structured product that tracks the performance of an underlying asset without requiring investors to pay the full price required to own the actual asset. They are issued either as Bull or Bear contracts with a fixed expiry date, allowing investors to take bullish or bearish positions on the underlying asset. CBBC are issued with the condition that during their lifespan they will be called by the issuers when the price of the underlying asset reaches a level (known as the “Call Price”) specified in the listing document. If the Call Price is reached before expiry, the CBBC will expire early and the trading of that CBBC will be terminated immediately. The specified expiry date from the listing document will no longer be valid.
There are two categories of CBBC, namely Category N CBBC and Category R CBBC. A Category N CBBC refers to a CBBC where its Call Price is equal to its Strike Price, and the CBBC holder will not receive any cash payment once the price of the underlying asset reaches or goes beyond the Call Price. A Category R CBBC refers to a CBBC where its Call Price is different from its Strike Price, and the CBBC holder may receive a small amount of cash payment (called “Residual Value”) upon the occurrence of a Mandatory Call Event (“MCE”) but in the worst case, no residual value will be paid.
2.1 RISK OF TRADING CALLABLE BULL/BEAR CONTRACTS
(a) Mandatory call
A CBBC will be called by the issuer when the price of the underlying asset hits the Call Price and trading in that CBBC will expire early. Payoff for Category N CBBC will be zero when they expire early. When Category R CBBC expire early the holder may receive a small amount of Residual Value payment, but there may be no Residual Value payment in adverse situations. Once the CBBC is called, even though the underlying asset may bounce back in the right direction, the CBBC which has been called will not be revived and investors will not be able to profit from the bounce-back.
(b) Gearing effects
Since a CBBC is a leveraged product, the percentage change in the price of a CBBC is greater compared with that of the underlying asset. Investors may suffer higher losses in percentage terms if they expect the price of the underlying asset to move one way but it moves in the opposite direction.
(c) Limited life
A CBBC has a limited life, as denoted by the fixed expiry date. The life of a CBBC may be shorter if called before the fixed expiry date. The price of a CBBC fluctuates with the changes in the price of the underlying asset from time to time and may become worthless after expiry and in certain cases, even before the normal expiry if the CBBC has been called early.
(d) Movement with underlying asset
Although the price of a CBBC tends to follow closely the price of its underlying asset, but in some situations it may not. Prices of CBBC are affected by a number of factors, including its own demand and supply, funding costs and time to expiry. Moreover, the delta for a particular CBBC may not always be close to one, in particular when the price of the underlying asset is close to the Call Price.
(e) Liquidity
Although CBBC have liquidity providers, there is no guarantee that investors will be able to buy/ sell CBBC at their target prices any time they wish.
(f) Funding costs
The issue price of a CBBC includes funding costs and issuers will specify the formula for calculating the funding costs of their CBBC at launch in the listing documents. Since the funding costs for each CBBC issue may be different as it includes the issuer’s financing/stock borrowing costs after adjustment for expected ordinary dividend of the stock plus the issuer’s profit margin, investors are advised to compare the funding costs of different issuers for CBBC with similar underlying assets and terms. When a CBBC is called, the CBBC holders (investors) will lose the funding cost for the full period since the funding cost is built into the CBBC price upfront at launch even though with the MCE, the actual period of funding for the CBBC turns out to be shorter.
(g) Trading of CBBC close to Call Price
When the underlying asset is trading close to the Call Price, the price of a CBBC may be more volatile with wider spreads and uncertain liquidity. CBBC may be called at any time and trading will terminate as a result.
(h) CBBC with overseas underlying assets
Investors trading CBBC with overseas underlying assets are exposed to an exchange rate risk as the price and cash settlement amount of the CBBC are converted from a foreign currency into Hong Kong dollars. Exchange rates between currencies are determined by forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets which are affected by various factors. Besides, CBBC issued on overseas underlying assets may be called outside the Exchange’s trading hours.
3. LISTED EQUITY LINKED INSTRUMENTS
Equity Linked Instruments (“ELI”) are structured products which can be listed on the Exchange under Chapter 15A of the Main Board Listing Rules. They are marketed to retail and institutional investors who want to earn a higher interest rate than the rate on an ordinary time deposit and accept the risk of repayment in the form of the underlying shares or losing some or all of their investment.
When an investor purchases an ELI, he/ she is indirectly writing an option on the underlying shares. If the market moves as the investor expected, he/ she earns a fixed return from his/ her investment which is derived mainly from the premium received on writing the option. If the market moves against the investor's view, he/she may lose some or all of his/ her investment or receive shares worth less than the initial investment.
ELI are traded scripless in Hong Kong dollars and odd lots are settled in cash. Investors should note that short selling of ELI is prohibited. To match their directional view on the underlying securities, investors may choose from three different types of ELI listed on the Stock Exchange: Bull, Bear and Range. Other types of ELI may be traded on the Exchange in future.
3.1 RISK OF TRADING LISTED EQUITY LINKED INSTRUMENTS
(a) Exposure to equity market
Investors are exposed to price movements in the underlying security and the stock market, the impact of dividends and corporate actions and counterparty risks. Investors must also be prepared to accept the risk of receiving the underlying shares or a payment less than their original investment.
(b) Possibilities of losing investment
Investors may lose part or all of their investment if the price of the underlying security moves against their investment view.
(c) Price adjustment
Investors should note that any dividend payment on the underlying security may affect its price and the payback of the ELI at expiry due to ex-dividend pricing. Investors should also note that issuers may make adjustments to the ELI due to corporate actions on the underlying security.
(d) Interest rates
While most ELI offer a yield that is potentially higher than the interest on fixed deposits and traditional bonds, the return on investment is limited to the potential yield of the ELI.
(e) Potential yield
Investors should consult their brokers on fees and charges related to the purchase and sale of ELI and payment/ delivery at expiry. The potential yields disseminated by the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (“HKEx”) have not taken fees and charges into consideration.
4. EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS WITH DERIVATIVE NATURE
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are passively managed and open-ended funds. All listed ETFs on the HKEx securities market are authorized by the Securities and Futures Commission as collective investment schemes. They are designed to track the performance of their underlying benchmarks (e.g. an index, a commodity such as gold, etc) and offer investors an efficient way to obtain cost-effective exposure to a wide range of underlying market themes.
ETFs can be broadly grouped into two types: Physical ETFs (i.e. traditional or in-specie ETFs) and Synthetic ETFs. Many of physical ETFs directly buy all the assets needed to replicate the composition and weighting of their benchmark (e.g. constituents of a stock index). Some physical ETFs with underlying equity-based indices may also invest partially in futures and options contracts. Synthetic ETFs do not buy the assets in their benchmark. Instead, they typically invest in financial derivative instruments to replicate the benchmark’s performance.
4.1 RISK OF TRADING EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS
(a) Market risk
ETFs are typically designed to track the performance of certain indices, market sectors, or groups of assets such as stocks, bonds, or commodities. ETF managers may use different strategies to achieve this goal, but in general they do not have the discretion to take defensive positions in declining markets. Investors must be prepared to bear the risk of loss and volatility associated with the underlying index/assets.
(b) Tracking errors Tracking errors refer to the disparity in performance between an ETF and its underlying index/ assets. Tracking errors can arise due to factors such as the impact of transaction fees and expenses incurred to the ETF, changes in composition of the underlying index/ assets, and the ETF manager’s replication strategy.
(c) Trading at discount or premium
An ETF may be traded at a discount or premium to its Net Asset Value. This price discrepancy is caused by supply and demand factors, and may be particularly likely to emerge during periods of high market volatility and uncertainty. This phenomenon may also be observed for ETFs tracking specific markets or sectors that are subject to direct investment restrictions.
(d) Foreign exchange risk
Investors trading ETFs with underlying assets not denominated in Hong Kong dollars are also exposed to exchange rate risk. Currency rate fluctuations can adversely affect the underlying asset value, also affecting the ETF price.
(e) Liquidity risk
Securities Market Makers (“SMMs”) are Exchange Participants that provide liquidity to facilitate trading in ETFs. Although most ETFs are supported by one or more SMMs, there is no assurance that active trading will be maintained. In the event that the SMMs default or cease to fulfill their role, investors may not be able to buy or sell the product.
(f) Counterparty risk involved in ETFs with different replication strategies
Where ETFs utilising a synthetic replication strategy use swaps or other derivative instruments to gain exposure to a benchmark, they are exposed to counterparty risk of the swap dealers or the derivative instruments’ issuers and may suffer losses if such dealers or issuers default or fail to honor their contractual commitments.
Even where collateral is obtained by an ETF, it is subject to the collateral provider fulfilling its obligations. There is a further risk that when the right against the collateral is exercised, the market value of the collateral could be substantially less than the amount secured resulting in significant loss to the ETF.
5. CONVERTIBLE BONDS
Convertible bonds have investment characteristics of both debt and equity securities. A convertible bond gives its holder the right to convert the bond into shares of the issuing corporation according to predetermined terms during a conversion period or at conversion dates. Convertible bonds have the characteristics of debt securities, such as interest payments and a definite date upon which the principal must be repaid. They also offer possible capital appreciation through the right to convert the bonds into shares at the holder’s option according to stipulated terms over certain periods. Due to their conversion feature, convertible bonds usually offer a slightly interest payments than corporate bonds.
5.1 RISK OF TRADING CONVERTIBLE BONDS
(a) Issuer risk
Issuer may fail to pay interest or principal to bond holders on time.
(b) Interest rate risk
The price of fixed rate bonds fluctuates according to changes in market interest rates. Prices for fixed rate bonds move inversely with changes in interest rates. In general, market interest rate movements have a larger impact on the price of bonds with a longer remaining period to maturity.
(c) Liquidity risk
Liquidity of some bonds in the secondary market may be low. Investors may find it hard to buy or sell such bonds and need to hold them to maturity.
(d) Foreign exchange risk
Exchange rate risk exists if the bond is denominated in foreign currency.
(e) Equity risk
If the bond is converted into shares of the issuing corporation, equity risk associated with thestock will be existed.