Investing in securities involves risk of loss that you should be prepared to bear.

General Investment Risk: All investments come with the risk of losing money. Investing involves substantial risks, including complete possible loss of principal plus other losses and may not be suitable for many members of the public. Investments, unlike savings and checking accounts at a bank, are not insured by the government to protect against market losses. Different market instruments carry different types and degrees of risk and you should familiarize yourself with the risks involved in the particular market instruments you intend to invest in.

Loss of Value: There can be no assurance that a specific investment will achieve its investment objectives and past performance should not be seen as a guide to future returns. The value of investments and the income derived may fall as well as rise and investors may not recoup the original amount invested. Investments may also be affected by any changes in exchange control regulation, tax laws, withholding taxes, international, political and economic developments, and government, economic or monetary policies.

Interest Rate Risk: Fixed income securities and funds that invest in bonds and other fixed income securities may fall in value if interest rates change. Generally, the prices of debt securities rise when interest rates fall, and their prices fall when interest rates rise. Longer term debt securities are usually more sensitive to interest rate changes.

Credit Risk: Investments in bonds and other fixed income securities are subject to the risk that the issuer(s) may not make required interest payments. An issuer suffering an adverse change in its financial condition could lower the credit quality of a security, leading to greater price volatility of the security. A lowering of the credit rating of a security may also offset the security’s liquidity, making it more difficult to sell. Funds investing in lower quality debt securities are more susceptible to these problems and their value may be more volatile.

Foreign Exchange Risk: Foreign investments may be affected favorably or unfavorably by exchange control regulations or changes in the exchange rates. Changes in currency exchange rates may influence the share value, the dividends or interest earned and the gains and losses realized. Exchange rates between currencies are determined by supply and demand in the currency exchange markets, the international balance of payments, governmental intervention, speculation and other economic and political conditions. If the currency in which a security is denominated appreciates against the US Dollar, the value of the security will increase. Conversely, a decline in the exchange rate of the currency would adversely affect the value of the security.

Risks Associated with Investing in Options: Transactions in options carry a high degree of risk. A relatively small market movement will have a proportionately larger impact, which may work for or against the investor. The placing of certain 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. 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 also be exposed to the risk of the purchaser exercising the option and the seller will be obliged either to settle the option in cash or to acquire or deliver the underlying investment. If the option is “covered” by the seller holding a corresponding position in the underlying investment or a future on another option, the risk may be reduced.