RISK WARNING NOTICE
Spreadex Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, hereafter known as FCA.
This notice is provided to you, as you are proposing to undertake dealings in financial instruments in the form of Spread Bets. This notice cannot and does not disclose or explain all the risks and other significant aspects involved in dealing in Spread Betting and is only a summary of some important aspects. You should not deal in these products unless you understand their nature and the extent of your exposure to risk. Spread Bets carry a high risk to your capital. They differ markedly from the more common form of fixed odds betting, where your potential losses are pre-determined in advance, and you should not engage in this form of betting unless you understand the nature of the transaction you are entering into and the true extent of your exposure to the risk of loss. The amount that you may win or lose will vary according to the extent of the fluctuations in the price of the underlying markets on which the bet is based. You should also be satisfied that the product is suitable for you in the light of your circumstances and financial position, as well as your investment objectives. This product is unsuitable for many members of the public, and in deciding whether to participate in this form of betting you should be aware of the following points:-
1. The high degree of ‘gearing’ or ‘leverage’ (these terms refer to the fact that Spread Betting allows you to buy (or sell) a financial product with substantially less money than the actual full market value of that financial product), is a particular feature of this type of transaction. This stems from the initial financial requirements applicable to such bets which generally involve a comparatively modest deposit or margin in terms of the overall market value of the bet involved, so that a relatively small movement in the underlying market can have a disproportionately dramatic effect on your Spread Bet. If the underlying market movement is in your favour, you may achieve a good profit, but an equally small adverse market movement can not only quickly result in the loss of your entire deposit, but may also expose you to a large additional loss over and above your initial deposit.
If you deal on a credit basis, which may cover or partly cover the initial margin deposit requirements, the extent of your agreed credit facility does not limit your loss or financial liability. As a consequence the amount of capital which you are prepared to place at risk should be sufficient to cover not only your credit limit but also additional losses that may be incurred in relation to your Spread Bet.
2. Spread Bets will not be undertaken on a recognised or designated investment exchange and, accordingly, they may expose you to greater risks than exchange transactions. The betting structure and betting rules will be established solely by Spreadex pursuant to FCA Conduct of Business rules. For example, if you wish to close a Spread Bet earlier than the time at which it would otherwise automatically expire you will have to close it at Spreadex's quotation which will be less favourable to you than the price of the underlying market. When the underlying market is closed Spreadex’s quotation can be influenced by the weight of other clients buying or sellingAny Spread Bet that you open with Spreadex you will also have to close with Spreadex.
3. Spreadex will trade with you under a Customer Agreement and related sub-agreements. You should make sure that you have read these and are happy with their terms before you open any Spread Bets with Spreadex. Spreadex will have the right to amend the terms on which it trades with you, on notice to you. Spreadex will also be bound by the rules in the Conduct of Business Sourcebook of the FCA but a breach of these rules will not render any transaction between you and spreadex void or unenforceable.
4. Prior to placing any Spread Bets, you should review on the Spreadex website details of all transaction or other charges for which you will be liable.
5. As a result of section 412 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, the Spread Bets in this case are enforceable and Spreadex may be sued by you (if you win) and may sue you (if you lose).
6. A guaranteed stop loss order on a Spread Bet limits the extent of your liability for loss in the transaction to an amount agreed by you prior to entering into such transaction, but you may sustain such loss in a relatively short time. You should take particular note of this aspect as specified in the terms and conditions of Spreadex. You are likely to incur additional costs in this type of transaction and you should obtain from Spreadex an explanation of these, if they are applicable. Such additional costs may take the form of a specific additional charge, or could be a 'hidden cost' because the prices or spread on which these bets are based differ from those applicable to other bets which do not have limited liability. You should note that unless a stop loss order is expressly agreed by Spreadex to be guaranteed, it will not be guaranteed and if the Index moves against you suddenly or outside our Trading Hours the open Spread Bet to which it relates could be closed at a much worse price than the one specified in the stop loss order.
7. Spreadex is prohibited under FCA requirements from providing you with investment advice relating to investments or possible transactions in investments or from making investment recommendations of any kind. This prohibition does not apply to the giving of factual market information or information, in relation to a transaction about which you have enquired, as to transaction procedures, potential risks involved and how those risks may be minimised.
8. Spreadex is required to hold the money of Retail Clients (but not Professional Clients) in a segregated trust account in accordance with the regulations of the FCA, but this may not afford complete protection.
9. If you have reason to believe that Spreadex is not acting in accordance with representations that it has made to you, the terms of your Customer Agreement or the rules of the FCA, you should report it to the Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR. Tel: 0845 080 1800.
