The products offered by Saxo Capital Markets UK Limited ("SCML") for trading on its trading platforms include complex derivative products that are traded on margin and are not be suitable for all investors. Trading derivative products carries a high level of risk to your capital and it is possible to incur losses that exceed your initial investment, so before deciding to trade you should ensure you understand the risks involved and seek independent advice, if necessary.
Leverage Trading
When trading derivative products, the amount of initial margin required to open a position may be small, relative to the value of the derivative contract. Typically, the initial margin required is dependent upon the product but effectively this means that you trade the products using leverage.
With leverage trading of derivative products, a relatively small price movement in the underlying asset may result in proportionately larger profits or losses. If the market moves against your position(s) and/or the margin requirements are increased, you may be required to deposit additional funds at short notice in order to maintain your open margined position(s). If you do not provide additional funds or other acceptable collateral to satisfy the margin requirements, we are entitled to close your open margined position(s). Consequently, you shall be liable for any losses or deficit on the account as the result of the close-out. It is important to note that it is your responsibility to ensure that you continuously monitor your account at all times and that SCML is not obliged to provide you with any alert regarding failure to maintain margin in your account.
Market Risks
It is important that you understand that trading financial instruments on different markets has its own inherent risk. Some of such risks include:
Currency: If you transact in an instrument denominated in a currency other than your account currency, you will be subjected to currency fluctuation which may ultimately impact the profit and loss of the transaction.
Volatility: Movements in the price of the instruments can be volatile and unpredictable. 'Gapping' (a sudden shift in the price of the instrument up or down from one level to next, without trading at the prices in between) can occur and result in a significant loss.
Liquidity: Market conditions can change significantly in a very short time and this will impact the price, spreads and sizes that your order is executed.
Insolvency
Our insolvency or default, or that of any other brokers involved with your transaction, may lead to positions being liquidated or closed out without your consent. In certain circumstances, you may not get back the actual assets which you lodged as collateral and you may have to accept any available payments in cash. On request, we must provide an explanation of the extent to which we will accept liability for any insolvency of, or default by, other firms involved with your transactions.
Non-readily realisable investments
We may arrange or enter into transactions in non-readily realisable investments. These are investments in which the market is limited or could become so. You may have difficulty selling this investment at a reasonable price and, in some circumstances, it may be difficult to sell it at any price. Do not invest in such investments unless you have carefully thought about whether you can afford it and whether it is right for you.
Suspensions of trading
Under certain trading conditions it may be difficult or impossible to liquidate a position. This may occur, for example, at times of rapid price movement if the price rises or falls in one trading session to such an extent that under the rules of the relevant exchange trading is suspended or restricted. Placing a stop-loss order will not necessarily limit your losses to the intended amounts, because market conditions may make it impossible to execute such an order at the stipulated price.
Internet Trading Risks
There are risks associated with trading on an electronic internet-based deal execution trading system. If you undertake transactions electronically over the internet you will be exposed to risks associated with internet trading including, but not limited to, the failure of hardware, software and internet connection.