Risk Warnings

The material on this site is for information purposes only and the services, securities, investments and funds described may not be available to or suitable for you. Not all strategies are appropriate at all times. The opinions expressed on this site do not constitute investment advice and you should consult your investment advisor before you make any investment decision.

You should consider the following risks:

Investment risk:

The value and income of any of the securities or investments and the price of shares and the income derived from them, which are mentioned on this site, may fall as well as rise. Investors may not receive the original amount invested in return. Investors should also be aware that past performance is not a guide to future performance.

Taxation:

Statements concerning taxation are based on our understanding of the taxation law in force at the time of publication. The levels and bases of taxation may change. You should obtain professional advice on taxation where appropriate before proceeding with any investment.

Exchange rates:

Funds which invest in overseas securities are exposed to movements in exchange rates. These may cause the sterling value of units to go up or down.

Debt securities:

Investments in higher yielding bonds issued by borrowers with lower credit ratings may result in a greater risk of default and have a negative impact on income and capital value. Income payments may constitute a return of capital in whole or in part. Income may be achieved by foregoing future capital growth.

Emerging markets:

You should be aware of the additional risks associated with investment in emerging and developing markets. These include: higher volatility of markets; systems and standards affecting trading, settlement, registration and custody of securities all possibly lower than in developed markets; lack of liquidity in markets and exchanges leading to lower marketability of securities and greater price fluctuation; significant currency volatility, possibly resulting in adoption of exchange controls; lower shareholder protection or information to investors provided from the legal infrastructure and accounting, auditing and reporting standards

Unregulated collective investment schemes:

Unregulated collective investment schemes operated in offshore centres are unlikely to offer a level of investor protection equivalent to that available in the UK. Such schemes may deal infrequently and may limit redemption.

Gearing:

Some of the investments we may make on your behalf could be in investment companies which use gearing as a strategy or invest in other investment companies which use gearing, such as investment trusts. The strategy which the issuer of such securities uses or proposes to use may result in movements in the price of the securities being more volatile than the movements in the price of underlying investments. Such investments may be subject to sudden and large falls in value and you may get back nothing at all if there is a sufficiently large fall.