Risk Disclosure Statement

This Statement seeks to provide you with a brief outline of some, but not all, of the risks associated with investing and trading in securities, investment funds, foreign currencies or commodities or entering into treasury and financial derivative transactions (“Transactions”). Financial derivatives are financial contracts the value of which depends on the return on or the value of currencies, securities, commodities, interest rates, reference indices or other financial instruments or benchmarks, including forwards, options and swaps or combinations thereof.

This Statement does not explain all the risks and other significant aspects of investing or trading in securities, investment funds, foreign currencies or commodities or entering into treasury and financial derivative Transactions (including issues of taxation or other legal consequences pertaining to any Transactions entered into).

Such risks can be substantial. Before entering into any Transaction, you should therefore be satisfied that you fully understand the precise nature of the Transaction, how it actually works, the extent of your exposure to risks and the potential losses that you could incur. You should also read the relevant product- specific literature and carefully consider whether any proposed Transaction is suitable for you in the light of your financial resources, experience, objectives for engaging   in   the   Transaction,   ability   to   bear   risks   and   other   relevant circumstances. You should also consult such professional advisers (including legal, tax, financial and accounting) as may be appropriate.

You are the non-professional counterparty of LIBERA INVESTMENTS NV. Except where LIBERA INVESTMENTS NV has expressly undertaken to the contrary, LIBERA INVESTMENTS NV does not act as your adviser, assumes no fiduciary responsibility towards you, and is not obliged to give you any advice or make any recommendations or suggestions to you. Even if LIBERA INVESTMENTS  NV  provides  advice,  recommendations  and  suggestions  on your request or otherwise, you must remain ultimately responsible to conduct your own independent investigation into, and make your own appraisal of, any proposed  Transaction,  and  you  should  rely  only  on  your  own  judgment  in entering into any Transaction. As such, the burden of all risks involved in any Transactions will be carried by you, and LIBERA INVESTMENTS NV is not responsible for any losses which you incur, of whatever nature and howsoever arising.

LIBERA INVESTMENTS NV acts simultaneously for a large number of clients, as well as for its own account. As such, conflicts of interest cannot be completely avoided. Your attention is drawn to Clause 6 of LIBERA INVESTMENTS NV’s “Terms and Conditions”, relating to “Conflicts of Interest”.

A. GENERAL INVESTMENT RISKS

1. Various risks  are  associated  with  investing  and  trading  in  securities, investment funds, foreign currencies and commodities or entering into treasury and financial derivative Transactions. These include but are not limited to the following.

Price and Market Risks

2. The  prices  of  financial  instruments  are  subject  to  the  risks  of market fluctuations.

3. Because prices and characteristics of over-the-counter financial instruments are  often  individually  negotiated,  there  may  be  no  central  source  for obtaining prices and there can be inefficiencies in the pricing of such instruments. LIBERA INVESTMENTS NV makes no representation or warranty that its prices will always be the best prices available to you.

4. Under certain circumstances, the specifications of outstanding contracts (including the  exercise  price  of  an  option)  may  be modified by an exchange or clearing house to reflect changes in the underlying interest.

5. Trading on one electronic trading system may differ not only from trading in an open outcry market but also from trading on other electronic trading systems.

6. In effecting an off-exchange Transaction, LIBERA INVESTMENTS NV may be acting as your counterparty. Off-exchange Transactions  may  be  less  regulated  or  subject  to  a separate regulatory regime, compared to on-exchange Transactions. Before you undertake such Transactions, you  should  familiarize yourself  with  the  applicable  rules  and attendant  risks.  

Country Risks

7. Transactions on markets in other jurisdictions, including markets formally linked to  a  domestic  market,  may  expose  you  to  additional  risk.  Such markets may be subject to a rule which may offer different or diminished investor protection. Before you trade, you should enquire from LIBERA INVESTMENTS   NV   about   any   rules   relevant   to   your   particular Transactions. Your local regulatory authority will be unable to compel the enforcement of the rules of the regulatory authorities or markets in other jurisdictions where your Transactions have been affected. You should ask LIBERA  INVESTMENTS  NV  for  details  about  the  types  of  redress available  in  both your home jurisdiction  and other relevant  jurisdictions before you start to trad

8. Any imposition  by  a  country  of  exchange  controls  or  other limitations or restrictions may cause payments to be made in the local currency instead  of  the  original invested  currency  or  may result in the inability to effect outward remittances of funds from such a country, which can affect the value of your investment or your ability to enjoy its benefit.

Liquidity and Market Disruption Risks

Adverse market  conditions  may  result  in  your  not  being  able  to  effect Transactions, liquidate all or part of your investments, assess a value or your exposure or determine a fair price, as and when you require. This may also arise from the rules in certain markets (for example, the rules of a particular exchange may provide for “circuit breakers” where trading is suspended or restricted at times of rapid price movements). If you have sold options, this may increase the risk of loss.

10. Placing contingent orders, such as “stop-loss” or “stop-limit” orders, will not necessarily limit your  losses  to  the  intended  amounts,  as  it  may  be impossible  to  execute  such  orders  under  adverse  market   conditions. Strategies using combinations of positions, such as spread and straddle positions, may be as risky as taking simple long or short positions.

11. The normal pricing relationships between a derivative and the underlying assets may not exist in certain circumstances. For example, this can occur when a futures contract underlying an option is subject to price limits while the option is not. The absence of an underlying reference price may make it difficult to judge “fair” valu

12. Most open-outcry and electronic trading facilities are supported by computer- based component systems for the order-routing, execution, matching, registration or clearing of trades. As with all facilities and systems, they are vulnerable to temporary  disruption  or  failu  The  result  of  any  system failure may be that your order is either not  executed  according  to your instructions or not executed at all. Your ability to recover certain losses may be subject to limits on liability imposed by the system provider, the market, the clearing house and/or member firms. Such limits may vary. You should ask  LIBERA  INVESTMENTS  NV  before  conducting Transactions  for details in this respect.

Foreign Exchange Risks

13. Fluctuations in foreign currency rates will have an impact on your profit and loss where a Transaction involves a foreign currency element.

Credit Risks

14. Securities, investment funds, commodities and other instruments may not be guaranteed by LIBERA INVESTMENTS NV or by its affiliates or subsidiaries, and are subject to the risks of the issuer or counterparty, including but not limited to failure by such issuer or counterparty to make good, valid  or  timely  delivery  or  payment  to  you.  You  should  also familiarize yourself with the protection accorded to any money or other property   which   you   deposit   for   domestic   and   foreign   transactions, particularly in a firm’s insolvency or bankruptcy. The extent to which you may  recover  your  money  or  property  may  be  governed  by  specific legislation or local rules. In some jurisdictions, property which had been specifically identifiable as your own will be pro-rated in the same manner as cash for purposes of distribution in the event of a shortfall.

Emerging Markets Risks

15. Investment  in  securities,  investment  funds,  foreign  currencies  and  other assets in emerging countries, including those located in Asia, Latin America and eastern Europe, may yield high returns but may also carry high investment risks. Such risks include political risks (including confiscation of assets, restriction of your rights of disposal, or decline in the value of assets as a result of state intervention or the introduction of state monitoring and control mechanisms), risks of economic instability, heightened levels of the general risks described above (eg. credit risk, exchange rate risk, liquidity risk  etc.),  greater  prevalence  of  unsavory  market  practices  (eg.  insider trading) and laws and regulations which afford inadequate protection and safeguards to investors.

Managed Accounts

16. In some cases,  managed  accounts  are subject  to  substantial  charges  for management and advisory fees. It may be necessary for those accounts that are subject to these charges to make substantial trading profits to avoid depletion or exhaustion of their assets.

Impact of Fees and Charges

17. Before you begin to trade, you should obtain a clear explanation of all commissions, fees and other charges for which you will be liable. These charges will affect your net profit (if any) or increase your loss.

B. OPTIONS

18. An option is a right granted by a person (the seller or writer) to another (the buyer or holder) to buy (call option) or to sell (put option) a specified amount of an underlying asset at a predefined price (strike price) at or until a certain time (expiration date), in exchange for the payment of a premium. Transactions in options may involve a high degree of risk and may not be suitable  for  many  members  of  the  public.  Before  trading,  you  should calculate the extent to which the value of an option would have to increase for your position to become profitable, taking into account the premium paid and all transaction costs.

19. Options may  be  granted  on  all  kinds  of  assets  and  may  be  traded  on- exchange or over-the-counter. The terms of an option may be standardized (eg. in the case of certain basic currency and precious metal options) or may be custom tailored to meet the needs of the holder or the writ There is generally no market available for such tailor-made options. Warrants are options in securitized form.

20. Exercising an  option  result  either  in  a  cash  settlement  or  in  the  buyer acquiring delivery of the underlying asset. The buyer of options may offset its position by trading in the market or exercise the options or allow the options to expi If the option is on a futures contract or leveraged foreign exchange transaction, for example, the buyer will acquire the position together with associated liabilities for margin.

21. Some options are described as “American-style”. These may be exercised on any trading day up to and including the expiration date. “European-style” options may be exercised only on the expiration date.

During the life of an option, the writer must often provide collateral (margin cover). The margin is determined by the counterparty (including LIBERA INVESTMENTS NV) or, in the case of traded options, the exchange may determine the required margin. If margin cover proves insufficient, the writer may have to provide additional collateral (variation margin) or be faced with his position being closed-out. Certain exchanges in some jurisdictions permit deferred payment of the option premium, limiting the liability of the buyer to margin payments not exceeding the amount of the premium. The buyer is still subject to the risk of losing the premium and transaction costs. When the option is exercised or expires, the buyer is responsible for any unpaid premium outstanding at that time.

23. A call option is in-the-money if the current market value of the underlying asset is higher than the strike price. A put option is in-the-money if the current market value of the underlying asset is below the strike pri An option that is in-the-money is said to have an intrinsic value. If the current market value of the underlying asset and the strike price are the same, the option is at-the-money. An option may also be out-of-the -money. If purchased options expire out-of-the-money, you will suffer a total loss of your investment which will consist of the option premium paid plus transaction costs.  If  you  are  contemplating  purchasing  deep  out-of-the- money options, you should be aware that, ordinarily, the chance of such options becoming profitable is remote.

24. The price of an option depends on its intrinsic value, and on its time value. The latter depends on a  variety  of  factors, including  the remaining life of the option and the volatility of the underlying asset. The time value of an option reflects the chance that it will be in-the-money.

25. In general, the value of a call option decreases, and the value of a put option increases, as the value of the underlying asset falls. The less an option is in- the-money, the larger the decrease in valu This decrease also generally accelerates as the life of the option expires, and is proportionally larger than the decrease in value of the underlying asset. However, in certain cases, the value of an option may decrease even if the value of the underlying asset remains unchanged or moves in favor of the buyer.

26. The risks associated with writing an option are generally greater than buying an option. If the option is covered by a corresponding position in the underlying asset, the risk may be reduced. Conversely, if the option is uncovered, then the possible loss may be unlimited.

27. If the writer of a call option has a corresponding quantity of the underlying asset at his disposal, the call option is described as covered. In such case, if the value of the underlying asset exceeds the strike price, the writer misses out on the upside potential as it must deliver the asset to the buyer at the strike pri However, the writer also bears the entire risk for any losses incurred on the underlying assets following a drop in market value. The losses are, however, reduced by the option premium received.

28. The writer of an uncovered call option does not own the underlying asset. In such case, the exposure is the spread between the strike price and the value of the underlying asset, less  the premium received  for granting  the  call option. Since the market value of the underlying asset can move well above the strike price, the writer’s potential loss is theoretically unlimited.

The writer of American-style options, in particular, must take into account the fact that the option may be exercised in very unfavorable, high-loss market situations in which physical delivery obligations may be very difficult or very costly to fulfil. It may sometimes even be impossible to acquire the necessary underlying asset.

30. The writer  of  a  put  option  who  does  not  have  a  short  position  in  the underlying asset is subject to risk of loss should the price of the underlying asset  decrease below  the strike  price upon  exercise or expiration of the option by an amount in excess of the premium received. Conversely, the writer of a put option who has a short position in the underlying asset is subject to the full risk of a rise in the price of the underlying asset reduced by the premium received. In exchange for the premium received for the writer of a put option, the writer gives up all the potential gain resulting from a decrease in the price of the underlying asset below the option strike price upon exercise or expiration of the option.

C. MARGIN AND LEVERAGED TRANSACTIONS

31. Financial transactions may sometimes involve a high degree of leverage.

This can work against you as well as for you. A small market movement can produce large losses as well as gains.

32. You may be required to furnish margin when entering into many financial transactions, in particular leveraged transactions (and for the avoidance of doubt, such margin may equal or exceed the full amount of your actual or potential exposure to LIBERA INVESTMENTS NV.) “Margin” refers to an amount of money, securities, property or other collateral, representing a part of the value of the contract or agreement to be entered into, which is deposited by a party to a financial transaction to ensure performance of the terms of the financial transaction. Even if the amount of the initial margin deposit may be small relative to the value of a Transaction, if the market moves against you, you may not only sustain a total loss of the initial margin deposit and any additional funds deposited to maintain your position, you may also incur further liability to LIBERA INVESTMENTS NV or other counterparty or sustain further losses. You may also be called upon to “top- up” your margin by substantial amounts at short notice to maintain your position, failing which your position may be liquidated at a loss, and you will be liable for any resulting deficit in your account.

D. FORWARDS AND FUTURES

33. Forwards and futures entail the obligation to deliver or take delivery on a specified expiration date of a defined quantity of an underlying asset at a price agreed on the contract dat Futures are standardized contracts traded on-exchange. Forwards are traded over-the-counter. Forwards and futures may involve high degrees of risk and may not be suitable for many members of the public.

When buying or (short) selling an underlying asset by way of a futures or forward (including a non-deliverable forward) contract, a specified initial margin must often be supplied at the beginning of the contract. This is usually a percentage of the total  value  of  the  contract.  Additional margin  may  have  to  be  provided periodically during the life of the contract. This corresponds to the notional profit or loss arising from any change in value in the contract or underlying assets.

35. For forward sales, the underlying asset must be delivered at the strike price agreed even if its market value has since risen. The seller thus risks losing the difference between these two amounts. Theoretically, there is no limit to how far  the  market  value  of  the  underlying  asset  can  rise  and  hence, potential losses are unlimited and can substantially exceed the margin requirements.

36. For forward purchases, the buyer must take delivery of the underlying asset at the strike price agreed even if its market value has since fallen. The buyer’s potential loss is thus the difference between these two values and the maximum loss corresponds to the strike pric Potential losses can substantially exceed margin requirements.

E. STRUCTURED PRODUCTS

37. Structured products are formed by combining two or more financial instruments, including one or more derivatives.

38. Structured products 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 may be interconnected. As such, the extent of loss due to market movements can be substantial. Prior to engaging in structured product Transactions,  you  should  understand   the  inherent  risks  involved.   In particular, the various risks associated with each financial instrument should be evaluated separately as well as taking the structured product as a whole.

39. Each structured product has its own risk profile and given the unlimited number of  possible  combinations;  it  is  not  possible  to  detail  in  this Statement all the risks which may arise in any particular cas Nonetheless, this Statement attempts to provide a general description of the features and some of the risks applicable to a few common types of structured products.

40. Structured products may be traded either over-the-counter or on-exchange.

41. With structured products, buyers can only assert  their  rights against the issuer. Hence, particular attention needs to be paid to issuer risk. You need therefore be aware that a total loss of your investment is possible if the issuer should default.

Principal upon Maturity products

42. Structured products with  a  Principal  upon  Maturity  component often consist of an option combined with a fixed income instrument (eg. a bond).

43. The Principal upon Maturity component is provided by the bond and determines how much is paid out as a fixed sum when the structured product matures. You should note that the Principal upon Maturity can be well under 100 percent. of the capital invested, depending on the product. The Principal upon Maturity is also linked to the nominal value rather than the issue price or the secondary market price. Principal  upon  Maturity  does  not  therefore  mean  100  percent repayment of the purchase price for all products.

44. The option component determines how and to what extent the buyer benefits from price movements in the underlying asset. In other words, it establishes the buyer’s potential return above the Principal upon Maturity component. The risks this component entails corresponds to those of other options or option combinations. Depending on the underlying asset’ market value, it can expire without value.

45. The market value of a structured product can fall below the level of its Principal upon Maturity, which can increase the potential loss on a sale before maturity. In other words, Principal upon Maturity is only available if the buyer holds the structured product until maturity.

Dual Currency Investments

46. Dual Currency Investments  (or   “DCIs”)  are  exchange-rate-related instruments that enable the buyer to obtain a higher return than on a money market instrument. When a DCI matures, the buyer will receive payment of principal and interest either in the primary or the alternative currency. If payment is in the alternative currency, the strike rate will be used for conversion.

47. A DCI can be viewed as a bond combined with grant of a short call option on the reference currency. If on maturity, the option is out-of-the-money, the buyer will receive the principal plus interest in the primary currency. On the other hand, if the option is in-the-money, the issuer of the DCI will exercise the call option and pay the holder of the DCI in the alternative currency.

48. DCIs are  suitable  for  buyers  who  wish  to  see  a  high  return  on  their investments and accept the risk of repayment in the alternative currency at the strike rat Accordingly, it is LIBERA INVESTMENTS NV’s policy not to accept placement of any DCI unless the buyer has a use for the currencies in which the deposit may be repaid on maturity. The higher the potential earnings, the greater the risk that payment will be made in the alternative currency at the strike price.

49. DCI buyers do not enjoy downside protection, and thus investing in DCIs involves substantial risks.

Equity-linked notes

50. Equity-linked notes (or “ELNs”) may be viewed as combining a debt instrument with an option that allows a bull (rising), bear (falling) or range bet. The return on an ELN is usually determined by the performance of a single security, a basket of securities or an index.

51. A bull ELN combines a traditional deposit with the premium received from writing a put option on the chosen securities. If the value of these securities falls to a level less than the strike price minus the premium received, the buyer will suffer a loss. The maximum potential loss could be the entire capital sum.

52. A bear ELN combines a deposit with the premium received by selling a call option on the chosen securities. Upon maturity, the amount that the issuer of a bear ELN will repay the investor depends on the strike price and the market value of the securities at maturity. Buyers of a bear ELN must feel comfortable with the risk of losing the entire capital invested, in the event that the market value of the securities is above the strike pric

A range ELN combines a traditional deposit with the premium received by selling both a put option and a call option on the chosen securities.

54. You should also note that the return on investment of an ELN is predetermined, so that even if your view of the direction of the underlying market is correct, you will not gain more than the specified amount. You should also note that there is no guarantee that you will derive any return on your investment in an ELN. In addition, there is a limited secondary market for outstanding ELN issues.

55. Investing in ELNs involves a high degree of risk and may not be suitable for many members of the public.

F. NON-TRADITIONAL FUNDS (HEDGE FUNDS)

56. Non-traditional funds (which  may  take  a variety of legal  forms such  as investment  companies or partnerships) differ from traditional  investment funds such as equity or fixed income funds in respect of their investment styl A common type of a non-traditional fund is the hedge fund, which, notwithstanding its name, does not necessarily have anything to do with hedging.

57. Some of the common features of, and risks of investing in, a non-traditional fund include the following:

• the fund often aims to make an absolute return, under varying market conditions;
• sometimes,  the  fund  takes  on  very  high  levels  of  risk  and  may  have significant leverage from the investment of borrowed capital;
• the  fund  often  uses  derivatives,  whether  for  hedging  or  for investment or speculation rather than hedging purposes;
• the fund may be able to carry out short sales;
• there may be limited information available about the fund, its investment strategies or investment situation. Even if information is available, the information (for example about the fund’s investment strategy) may be very complex and difficult to understand;
• the fund may not be subject to any restrictions on investment categories, markets or trading methods;
• a high minimum sum may be needed for investment in the fund;
• non-traditional funds have variable liquidity and tradability, and may have limited subscription and redemption  rights with  lengthy notice periods (eg. fund issues and redemptions are often allowed only on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis). Fixed holding periods are common, and liquidations may stretch out over a period of years; and
• a fund’s portfolio managers often receive performance-linked bonuses and have a personal stake in the fund; and
• many non-traditional funds are located in “offshore” jurisdictions, and are subject to less stringent laws and supervision, which in turn provides weaker investor protection. There is no assurance that an investor’s legal rights will be enforceable.

58. Non-traditional fund investments involve a high degree of risk and may not be suitable for many members of the public. Before making any investments, you should seek independent advice about the particular risks involved and carefully study the Information Memorandum and Subscription Agreement and other information on the relevant investments. You should fully understand and be willing to assume the risks involved and the exposure to potential loss (which could involve the complete loss of your investment).