Diversifying Your Portfolio with Futures and Forex

Larry DyekmanDirector, Communications and EducationNational Futures Association

What We’ll Talk About Today

• Why more individual investors are trading futures and forex

• What risks are involved in trading futures and forex

• How to conduct due diligence• What questions to ask before trading

What We’ll Talk About Today

• How to look for warning signs of possible fraud

• How to resolve disputes• Where to go for additional information

National Futures Association

• Safeguard market integrity• Protect market participants• Help NFA Members meet their regulatory

responsibilities

National Futures Association

• Registration• Compliance• Dispute Resolution• Education

Why More People Want to Diversify Their Portfolios

• Risk Management• Easier Access to Markets

What is a Futures Contract?

A futures contract is a legally binding agreement to buy or sell a commodity or financial instrument at a later date. Futures contracts are standardized according to the quality, quantity and delivery time and location for each commodity. The only variable is price.

What is Forex?

Forex refers to trading foreign currency. Retail customers generally participate in the forex market as speculators who are hoping to profit from changes in currency rates.

Most Commonly Traded Currencies

EUR – Euro

USD – United States dollar

CAD – Canadian dollar

GBP – British pound

JPY – Japanese yen

AUD – Australian dollar

CHF – Swiss franc

Trading Currencies

Forex transactions are quoted in pairs because you are buying one currency while selling another. The first currency is the base currency and the second currency is the quote currency.

The price, or rate, that is quoted is the amount of the second currency required to purchase one unit of the first currency.

Trading Currencies

For example, a EUR/USD spread of 1.2170/1.2178 means that you can sell one Euro for $1.2170 and buy one Euro for $1.2178.

Why Futures Trading is a High-risk Venture

• Zero-sum game• Volatility• Leverage• Margins

Why Forex Trading is a High-risk Venture

• No central clearinghouse• No protection for your money in light of the

firm’s bankruptcy• Leverage• Margins

Margins

• Initial Margin• Maintenance Margin

Deciding Whether to Participate in the Futures or Forex Markets

• Assess your financial situation• Assess your tolerance for risk• Conduct due diligence

Methods of Participating in Futures or Forex Markets

• Trade your own account• Futures Commission Merchants• Retail Foreign Exchange Dealers• Introducing Brokers

• Have someone manage your account• Use a Commodity Trading Advisor• Participate in a commodity pool

Background Affiliation Status Information Center

BASIC

What You’ll Find in BASIC

• Current and historical registration information• Disciplinary actions taken by NFA, the CFTC

and all the US futures exchanges• Financial information for futures commission

merchants (FCMs)• NFA arbitration and CFTC reparations cases

Questions to Ask Before Opening an Account

• What is your NFA ID number?• How long has your company been in

business?• Where exactly will my money be held? And

what type of regular account statements do you provide?

Questions to Ask Before Opening an Account

• How much of my money will go for commissions, management fees, etc.?

• How can I liquidate if and when I decide I want my money?

Warning Signs of Possible Fraud

• Expectation of large profits• Promise of low risk• Seasonal trades

If a Dispute Arises

• Civil Suit• CFTC Reparations• NFA Arbitration/Mediation

NFA Arbitration Program

• No attorney is necessary• Do not need to allege a rule violation • Non-industry arbitrators• Written submission option

Additional Resources

• NFA publications• www.nfa.futures.org • www.cftc.gov• www.finra.com• Futures exchanges

Website:www.nfa.futures.org

Information Center:1-800-621-35701-312-781-1410

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CTMonday - Friday

Questions?