WHAT WE DO - Harrop Financial Pty Ltd

EXPERT ADVICE ON INVESTING, TRADING AND MARKET CONDITIONS

Sat, 29 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -1000

While we don't provide personal financial advice or financial planning services, we are able to provide clients with unbiased expert opinion on investing and trading on virtually all global markets, including Australia. This is because we don't sell any financial products or managed funds - and we trade for a living. We understand the fundamental forces that drive market conditions, and appreciate the need to be able to trade markets - both in up-trends and down-trends.

While this might seem like common sense, the general public are often unaware that less than ten percent of brokers in Australia are licensed to advise on the full range of market products available.

For example: people insure their cars and they insure their homes, but very few ever insure their share portfolio! We urged our clients to insure their portfolios before the Global Financial Crisis, and those that did so, were very happy indeed. So, why is it that most folk were not even aware that they could insure their portfolio against a loss? The answer is simple: they were probably using brokers or advisers who were neither qualified nor licensed to advise on the products available to insure or "hedge" a portfolio.

So here is an easy test for you to give your broker or advisor. Simply ask:

"Are you personally licensed to advise and deal in Shares (Equities), Exchange Traded Options (Share Options), Futures, Currencies and Commodities?"

If the answer is "No", you may want to ask yourself why you're still using such a broker or advisor. Regrettably, being a nice person just isn't enough.

If you want to be a little more pointed, you could ask: "Why didn't you explain to me that I could insure or "hedge" my portfolio or managed funds?"

You work hard for your money. You deserve better.

PROFESSIONAL STRATEGIES FOR PRIVATE INVESTORS AND TRADERS

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -1000

Not everyone wants to simply receive trade and investment recommendations. Some prefer to learn how to trade and invest for themselves. From time-to-time, we provide two-day seminars where John Harrop, one of Australia's most successful Professional Traders teaches specific proven strategies to the public without "spin" or nonsense. Typically, he will teach four specific strategies: one each for shares, options, futures and foreign exchange (forex).

There are reasons why some traders are able to out-perform even in difficult market conditions, while others burn bright for a season and then fade quickly. Any investor or trader who holds the antiquated view that profits are simply made by "buying low and selling high", will inevitably give back much of their profits when a market turns down. It's critical to know how to "sail in both calm seas and storms".

What about your seminars?
People quite rightly should ask about the validity of anyone presenting financial seminars. Harrop Financial does not provide "get rich quick" schemes at our seminars. We typically teach three or four proven strategies, supported by formal audits which can be downloaded on this website. Attendees range from mum's and dad's to fund managers.

So what questions should you ask before handing over hard-earned money to attend some financial seminar? Well, these are the types of questions to ask (and if they can't provide the right answers, just walk away):

Q1. What are John Harrop's formal qualifications?

A. John Harrop is a highly qualified Professional Trader and Technical Analyst. He completed his post-graduate studies at Harvard University and is a graduate of the University of New England and the Securities Institute of Australia. He is also a Senior Associate of the Financial Services Institute of Australia and oversees the trading for non-discretionary wholesale clients.

Furthermore, Harrop Financial Pty Ltd is licensed by ASIC and is an authorised representative of Alpha Equities and Futures Ltd - a holder of an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL). Under this license, Harrop Financial Pty Ltd can provide general advice to wholesale and retail clients, and deal in and apply on behalf of another person for:

Basic deposit and payment products
Securities and Equities
Bonds
Futures
Futures options
CFDs
Foreign exchange (FX) contracts
Commodities and metals contracts
Currencies

Q2. Does John trade himself, and if so, what markets does he trade?

A. John trades personally and recommends all of the trades for all of his clients. He trades shares, futures, index options, forex and CFDs on global markets. He trades many markets including the Australian market, European and American markets, as well as currencies and commodities including wheat, gold, copper, silver etc.

Q3. If I attend an Introductory Presentation as a prelude to a main seminar, is there any "hard sell"?

A. No, none at all. In fact, John is the only seminar presenter we know of who does not allow people to sign-up for a seminar at an Introductory Presentation. He believes that anyone interested in attending a 2-day seminar, should take time to think about it and at least wait until the next day before making a commitment. And no follow-up marketing calls are made.

Q4. If I attend a 2-Day seminar, is there any after-seminar support, or am I left on my own?

A. Free support is available to all seminar attendees, and is typically available from six months to a year, based on specific strategies.

Q5. I recently saw a TV ad that said the seminar cost had been reduce from the usual $4,950 for the 2-day event, to just $395! Is this real?

A. Yes. In some circumstances, a seminar may be sponsored and under-written by a broking or financial services company. Previously, Alpha Broking have offered to full under-write seminars on the basis that we allow them to provide a one hour presentation of their broking services.

SPECIFIC TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PRIVATE WHOLSESALE CLIENTS AND COMPANIES

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -1000

Harrop Financial provides specific trading and investment recommendations to private wholesale clients, companies, corporations and super-funds on a non-discretionary basis. Our service is one of the most unique in the industry, where one of Australia's leading Professional Traders provides specific trading advice (Buy, Sell and Hold) directly to the client. Furthermore, the client is consulted on every trade prior to execution, and therefore remains fully informed of their account position at all times.

We believe it is not enough to have a sound knowledge of investment and trading instruments and products. It is critical to work with a Professional Trader who has an understanding of market conditions and cycles, and who is skilled in trading the markets - both up and down - and who has a proven track record. (Please download a copy of the 2008 Audit on the homepage.)

This means that the client is contacted before any trades are placed, and the trade is discussed with the client before proceeding. At any time, the client may decline to take a trade recommendation.

We believe that Professional Traders and Fund Managers should only be rewarded for good performance. For this reason - apart from a 1% management fee - the only other fee charged for Harrop Financial's services is a modest performance bonus, which is only charged once an account's performance exceeds 15% for the year. If the Professional Trader fails to achieve 15% or better (and that's after commissions and brokerage are deducted), no fee is payable, apart from the annual 1% management fee.

We believe this is the fairest and most transparent fee structure currently available in the industry. (Please download the FSG for full details.)

This unique service is available to select clients. At our discretion, we may provide portfolio placement and portfolio supervision in conjunction with an agreed investment strategy. This is done on a non-discretionary basis, where client approval is required prior to the execution of each investment or trade placement.

Currently, the types of non-discretionary client services available are as follows (please click the following links for further information):

HF Broker Assist Program

HF Multi-Market Account

HF Prime Account

HF Select Account

Please note:
We manage all portfolios in accordance with our unique investment strategies and investment criteria. Prior to agreeing to represent a client, a personal interview is typically required so that investment strategies and outcomes can be discussed to help determine if our services and your goals are suitably compatible. Harrop Financial does not provide personal advice and it is the sole responsibility of the client to determine if any particular trade, investment or strategy is suitable to their personal situation.

Harrop Financial Pty Ltd will only accept clients who are either residents of Australia for taxation purposes, or are residents of countries which are signatories to the Australian Government's Double Taxation Agreements. Under no circumstances will Harrop Financial Pty Ltd accept clients from countries generally understood to be "tax havens". Harrop Financial may decline any client application at its own discretion. (For more information, please download the FSG.)

Performance Fee Schedule:
Our fee structure for Non-Discretionary Account Management and Portfolio Services is one of the most unique in the industry. We believe that a Portfolio Manager or Professional Trader should only be compensated for success. As a result - with the exception of the "Broker Assist Program" - Harrop Financial sets specific profit targets for each portfolio. Unless that target is reached, no Performance Fee is payable. (Please see an example in the FSG under "Can You Give Me An Example Of The Fee Structure?")

Performance Target	Performance Fee
Above 15% net return Above 50% net return Above 80% net return	10% of the profits 15% of the profits 20% of the profits

For all accounts, the deposits must be funded in Australian dollars, and no alternative securities are acceptable (e.g. property, bonds, mortgages, equities etc). Harrop Financial Pty Ltd may accept investments below the stated minimum at its own discretion.

Disclaimer:
Investing in securities and derivatives involves significant risk (including the risk that you may lose some or all of the money you invest). There are no guarantees that you will receive any return. The information on this website, and any information given at our seminars, have been prepared without taking into account any individual objectives, financial situations or needs. Therefore, before acting on any investment decisions, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances and obtain expert advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are volatile and will vary from year to year.