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THE RISK OF
LOSS IN ELECTRONIC DAY TRADING CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL. YOU
SHOULD, THEREFORE, CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHETHER SUCH TRADING
IS SUITABLE FOR YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND
FINANCIAL RESOURCES. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER TO TRADE, YOU
SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING POINTS:
The national
securities markets are extremely efficient and competitive.
Successful Electronic Day Trading typically requires skill
as well as experience and knowledge of the capital markets.
There is no guarantee that a particular individual will be
successful in implementing his or her investment strategy. A
substantial number of Electronic Day Traders will not be
successful.
Electronic Day
Trading involves a high volume of trading activity. The
number of transactions in an account may exceed 100 per day.
Each trade generates a commission and the total daily
commission on such a high volume of trading can be in excess
of any earnings.
Electronic Day
Trading is designed to generate short-term profits. However,
the activity also may result in losses that can exceed more
than 100% of the customer's initial capital. The customer is
solely responsible for any losses in his or her account.
Placing
contingent orders, such as "stop-loss" or "stop-limit"
orders, will not necessarily limit your losses to the
intended amounts, since market conditions on the exchange
where the order is placed may make it impossible to execute
such orders.
Under certain
market conditions, you may find it difficult or impossible
to liquidate a position. This can occur, for example, when
the market reaches a daily price fluctuation limit.
In addition to
normal market risks, a customer may experience losses due to
NASDAQ and other Exchanges' system failures. NASDAQ and
other Exchanges' systems often malfunction. Customers may
experience losses due to: system crashes during both peak
and low volume periods; the loss of live customer orders on
both SOES, Select Net and other Exchanges' systems; and,
delayed, conflicting and inaccurate quotes and confirmations
on orders or cancellations initiated by the customer.
The use of any
margin or leverage in an account can work against you as
well as for you. Leverage can lead to large losses as well
as gains. You may sustain a total loss of the initial margin
funds and any additional funds that you deposit with your
broker to establish or maintain a position, and you may
incur losses beyond your initial investment. If the market
moves against your position, you may be called upon by your
broker to deposit a substantial amount of additional margin
funds, on short notice, in order to maintain your position.
If you do not provide the required funds within the time
required by your broker, your position may be liquidated at
a loss, and you will be liable for any resulting deficit in
your account.
You should
consult your broker concerning the nature of the protections
available to safeguard funds or property deposited in your
account.
You must have
the necessary skills to operate the computer as well
knowledge of the trading software utilized. By entering
orders on your own behalf you represent that you have
necessary skills.
ALL OF THE POINTS NOTED ABOVE
APPLY TO ELECTRONIC DAY TRADING OF DOMESTIC EQUITY
SECURITIES. IF YOU ARE CONTEMPLATING TRADING FUTURES OR
OPTIONS CONTRACTS, YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THESE
INSTRUMENTS POSSESS ADDITIONAL RISKS.
THIS BRIEF STATEMENT CANNOT, OF COURSE, DISCLOSE ALL THE
RISKS AND OTHER ASPECTS OF ELECTRONIC DAY TRADING. THESE
STATEMENTS DO NO PURPORT TO BE COMPLETE. NO RESPONSIBILITY
IS ASSUMED WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUCH STATEMENT, NOR WITH
RESPECT TO ANY EXPRESSION OF OPINION HEREIN CONTAINED. THE
RISK OF ELECTRONIC DAY TRADING MAY BE SUBSTANTIAL. ONLY RISK
CAPITAL SHOULD BE USED FOR SUCH TRADING. |