Options

    ·    Call: The right to buy the underlying security.

    ·    Put: The right to sell the underlying security.

    ·    Investors can buy or sell call or put options.

    ·    Buy (Call or Put) Option: Investors pay premium.

    ·    Sell (Call or Put) Option: Investors receive premium.

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. If the purchased options expire worthless, the Investor will suffer a total loss of his investment which will consist of the option premium plus transaction costs. If the investor is contemplating purchasing deep-out-of-the-money options, he should be aware that the chance of such options becoming profitable ordinarily is remote.

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 unfavorably. 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 “covered” by the seller holding a corresponding position in the underlying, the risk may be reduced. If the option is not covered, the risk of loss can be unlimited.

    ·    Long / Short

    ·    Tenor

    ·    Strike Price

    ·    Fixing Date (based on closing price)

    ·    Delivery Method (e.g. physical delivery)

    ·    Notional Amount

    ·    Barrier Level (Knock In and/or Knock Out) – for barrier option only

Investor receives

= 0.60% x $16.43 x 1,000,000 shares

= $98,580 payable to investor on 8 May 12 (T + 2 business days)

On Fixing Date, if ABC Co Ltd HK closes at $18.00, then the call option is exercised.  Investor receives 1,000,000 shares x $17.252 = $17,252,000 on 6 Jun (T + 2 business days) and delivers 1,000,000 ABC Co Ltd HK shares.

On Fixing Date, if ABC Co Ltd HK closes at $17.00 (below strike price), the option is NOT exercised.  Investor retains the shares.

Investor pays

= 3.0% x $92.60 x 100,000 shares

= $277,800 with settlement on 8 May 2012

On Fixing Date, if XYZ Co Ltd HK closes below $92.60, the call option is lapsed without exercise.

On Fixing Date, if XYZ Co Ltd HK closes at or above $92.60, investor can exercise the option and buy 100,000 shares of XYZ Co Ltd HK at $92.60.  Settlement is at Fixing Date + 2 business days.

Breakeven price = $92.60 + 3.00% x $92.60 = $95.378   

    ·    Strike Price

    ·    Tenor

    ·    Interest Rate

    ·    Implied Volatility           

    ·    Volatility is not constant and changes from time to time

    ·    Volatility & Time Period

    ·    Across different stocks

2.     Derivative Products are complex and involve different types of risks. The risk of loss resulting from investments in such Derivative Products can be substantial with a total loss of capital value. The Investor should: (a) study and understand the structure of the Derivative Products before placing any orders; and (b) have prior experience with investment in the Derivative Products and fully understand the associated risks before making a decision to invest in such products and ensure that the products are suitable in light of his financial position and investment objectives.

2.     a)   Investors should not  buy a Derivative Product unless it is prepared to sustain a total loss of the investment plus any commission or other transaction charges.

b)    While Derivative Products are unexercised and if their underlying securities are suspended from trading on the relevant stock exchanges, they may be suspended from trading for a similar period of time as their underlying securities.

c)     Depending on the structure of a particular Derivative Product, an investor may be obligated to accept delivery or make delivery (as the case may be) of the underlying securities if the conversion price is triggered or pursuant to the terms and conditions of the relevant agreement, contract or confirmation of the subject Transaction. Depending on the market conditions, an investor may be obligated to accept delivery of the underlying securities at a price which is above the market price such securities or to make delivery of the underlying securities at a price which is below the market price of such securities and losses may occur resulting from such actions which can be substantial. The loss resulting from investing in such Derivative Products can be over and above the initial amounts invested to a substantial extent.

d)    If there is an extraordinary event or an adjustment event such a stock split, issue of bonus shares or other unexpected event that changes the number, value or weighting of issued shares of the underlying stock, the counter-party/calculation agent may adjust the contract terms, at its sole discretion, to reflect the new market conditions. This may include unwinding the contract. The investor should seek independent advice from professional parties in the event of such extraordinary events or adjustments.

e)    Early termination prior to maturity is possible subject to the terms and conditions governing the Derivative Product and prevailing market terms and conditions.

f)     The value of the Derivative Products may be reduced due to any downgrades by rating agencies such as Moody’s Investors Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Rating Services.

g)    Structured products are formed by combining two or more financial instruments and may include one or more Derivative Products. Structured products may carry a high degree of risk and may not be suitable for many members of the public, as the risks associated with the financial instruments or Derivative Products may be interconnected. As such, the extent of loss due to market movements can be substantial. Prior to engaging in structured product Transactions, the Investor should understand the inherent risks involved. In particular, the various risks associated with each financial instrument or Derivative Product should be evaluated separately as well as taking the structured product as a whole. Each structured product has its own risk profile and given the unlimited number of possible combinations, it is not possible to detail in this RDS all the risks which may arise in any particular case. The Investor should note that with structured products, buyers can only assert their rights against the issuer. Hence, particular attention needs to be paid to issuer risk. The Investor should therefore be aware that a total loss of his investment is possible if the issuer should default.

h)    Equity-linked instruments (“ELI”) carries a high degree of risk. ELIs are products combining notes/deposits with stock options which may allow a bull, bear or strangle (i.e. trading range) bet. The return component of ELI is based on the performance of a single equity security, a basket of equity securities, or an equity index. ELI may come in different forms: equity-linked notes, equity-linked deposits and equity-linked contracts. The maximum return on investment is usually limited to a predetermined amount of cash, an investor stands to potentially lose up to the entire investment amount if the underlying share price moves substantially against the investor’s view. The Investor should be able to understand the risks he is bearing before investing in ELIs.

i)      The prices of the underlying securities of Derivative Products fluctuate, sometimes dramatically. The price of a security may move up or down, and may become valueless. Accordingly, it is as likely that loss will be incurred rather than profit made as a result of buying or selling Derivative Products. In particular, for some Derivative Products such as accumulators, depending on market conditions, an investor may be obligated to accept delivery of the underlying securities at a price which is above the market price of such securities and loss may occur resulting from such action which can be substantial. Similarly, for some Derivative Products such as decumulators, an investor may be obligated to make delivery of the underlying securities at a price which is below the market price of such securities and loss may occur resulting from such action which can be substantial. The loss resulting from investing in such Derivative Products can be over and above the initial amounts invested to a substantial extent.