CMC Markets Stockbroking News & Announcements

CMC Markets Stockbroking

Mon, 26 May 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Welcome to CMC Markets Stockbroking
Everything that you've come to expect....and more.

From June 1, Andrew West Stockbrokers will be known as CMC Markets Stockbroking. Our company name will change as well as the way our website and trading platform look. But the way you use our trading platform and website remain exactly the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will this affect my investments?
There will be no change in how you interact with us. Your investments remain with the newly renamed CMC Markets Stockbroking.

Are my assets safe?
Your share holding and CMA money are safe and secure. You're dealing with a company that has a solid track record of reliability and a sound business model. CMC Markets Stockbroking does not participate in any share lending of any of our clients' share holdings.

All your share holdings are under your name and can not be transferred or on-lent without your permission.
CMC Markets Stockbroking is a participant of ASX Group Limited and as such, your assets are afforded protection under the National Guarantee Fund.
Your funds in the CMC Markets Cash Account (formerly the Andrew West Cash Account) are held in your name with BankWest, a major Australian bank which is a wholly owned subsidiary of HBOS Plc, one of the world's largest financial institutions.

Will there be any changes to my account e.g. account number, log-ins etc?
There will be no changes to your account. Everything will remain business as usual.

Has my Bank West Money Market account details changed?
No, your account details (i.e. BSB and account number) remain the same. Only the product name has changed from Andrew West Money Market Account to CMC Markets Cash Account.

Will my Holder Identification Number (HIN) change?
No, however your CHESS sponsor will now be CMC Markets Stockbroking Ltd.

Who do I make cheques payable to?
CMC Markets Stockbroking Ltd.

Will I still have the same level of service and broker contacts?
Yes, everything including your broker will remain the same as it is currently.

Will Andrew West still be managing the company?
Yes, Andrew West will remain with the business and continue to guide it through its next phase of growth and expansion.

What if I have other questions?
Contact your broker or our Helpdesk directly with any further questions.

Tax Loss Selling - Risks and Opportunities

Sun, 18 May 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Introduction
Tax-loss selling is the practice of selling stocks prior to June 30 that have lost investors money over the course of the financial year. Sales take place to offset capital gains and lower one's tax liability.

Knowledge of this seasonal effect is important because prices in stocks likely to come in for tax loss selling can be expected to be weaker as a result.

The probability of lower prices means:

Current owners can expect their stocks to come in for selling pressure
Potential owners can expect lower prices in the lead up to June 30

Warning: If your intention is to buy back your position at a later date you need to ensure you do not give rise to a "wash sale" which may result in cancellation of the tax benefits obtained in connection with the sale. For more details see Tax Ruling TR 2008/1 at the ATO website.
Furthermore "wash sales" are a potential breach of the law or ASX Market Rules. The regulatory issues which arise in any sort of tax crossing are not just whether it moves prices or creates impressions of false volume, but whether there is a true change in beneficial ownership after the crossing and whether it is done for the purpose of tax avoidance.

Tax loss Selling Candidates
Tax loss selling occurs in stocks that by definition lost their investors money. Opportunities are most productive in stocks that have:

Fallen consistently over the course of the financial year.
Fallen at some point over the year the financial year
Some issue specifically related to its performance, and have not fallen simply because of a weaker market
Stocks in sectors that are underperforming

Price performance: Tax loss selling period 2007

	1-yr performance*	Period: 14/05/07 - 29/06/07
Bendigo Mining	-84.9%	-15.6%
Chemeq	-79.8%	-7.2%
Kimberley Diamond	-50.7%	-4.8%
Great Southern	-40.0%	23.3%
Timbercorp	-39.5%	-4.3%
Iluka Resources	-11.7%	3.1%
McGuigan Simeon	-10.8%	-31.6%

* May 14, 2007: Source AFR

How to search for poor performers
The Andrew West website allows you to search stocks based on a range of criteria. On the left hand side of any page click on Analyse Stocks then Add Filter. Then sort by 1 yr. avg Annual return and choose the action Sort by lowest.

The output allows you to see which stocks are likely to come in for tax loss selling and adjust your sales, purchases accordingly.

Implications

Look at selling stocks that you own that appear on the list if you have gains elsewhere.
Consider adjusting buying and selling prices in light of potential weakness in tax loss selling candidates during the period up to June 30.
Profit from potential weakness in tax loss selling candidates through the use of options, warrants and CFDs

You're safe with Andrew West

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:00:00 GMT

In view of the recent negative media coverage surrounding some stockbroking companies and alleged irregularities with share transactions, we would like to assure you that you are dealing with a company that has a solid track record of reliability and a sound business model.

Andrew West does not participate in any share lending of any of our clients' share holdings. All clients' share holdings are under that client's name and can not be transferred or on-lent without that client's direction.

Andrew West has the backing of CMC Markets Plc, a major international company that has been successfully trading in Australia for nearly 10 years.

CMC Markets is cash rich and profitable

CMC Markets has a global capitalization of over $3 billion. It would rank among the top 100 listed companies in Australia (if it was listed on the ASX).
Globally, CMC Markets executed an estimated 20 million trades last year with an estimated value of US$1.4 trillion.
CMC Markets is cash rich and it continues to attract global financial institutions - with Goldman Sachs buying 10 per cent equity into the company last year.

CMC Markets is reliable and has a solid track record in the market

CMC Markets has been operating since 1989. We have an extensive risk management infrastructure that has been tried and tested through both bullish and bearish market cycles and performed without interruption during some of major market shocks like September 11, 2001 and the tech crash of 2000.

Your share holdings and CMA money are safe and secure

All your share holdings are under your name and can not be transferred or on-lent without your permission.
Andrew West is a Participant of ASX Group Limited and as such, your assets are afforded protection under the National Guarantee Fund.
Your funds in the Andrew West Cash Account are held in your name with BankWest, a major Australian bank which is in turn a wholly owned subsidiary of HBOS Plc, one of the world's largest financial institutions.

If you have any other question or would like to speak to us, please contact us by:
Email: service@andrewwest.com.au
Telephone: 1300-360-071

Andrew West's Melbourne office is moving

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Our Melbourne office is moving

In line with our recent acquisition, our Melbourne office is relocating a few doors up to the CMC Markets' office. Come and visit the team, for the same personal service at our new premises from 24 April:

Level 37
530 Collins Street
Melbourne
1300-136-323

Andrew West's Sydney office is moving

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:00:00 GMT

We'd like you to know that we're moving.

In line with our recent acquisition, from the 31st March 2008 we will be located just down the road at the CMC Markets office. Come and visit the same friendly faces, for the same personal service at our new premises:

Level 44
Governor Phillip Tower
1 Farrer Place
Sydney

All telephone numbers will remain unchanged. Please call 1300-136-323 for dealing or 1300-360-071 for the Helpdesk.

CMC Acquisistion of Andrew West Stockbrokers FAQ

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Who is CMC Markets?

CMC Markets is a global leader in derivatives trading with offices across 4 continents. With a nationwide presence across Australia and rapidly expanding with operations across Asia Pacific in New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Japan.

They offer more than 3,000 CFDs on:

Australian and International Shares
Indices
Sectors
Currency Pairs (FX)
Commodities including oil, gold and agricultural commodities

They also have strategic partnerships with Goldman Sachs (Global Investment Bank) and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Find out more www.cmcmarkets.com.au

Why did we say yes to the acquisition?

This acquisition is seen as the next step in the growth strategy for Andrew West Stockbrokers. Both CMC Markets and Andrew West Stockbrokers have similar cultures and business structures. The combined operations and our complementary product offerings mean we will be able to offer our clients a full suite of investment products and services from one provider. The integrated operation will make us Australia's new non-bank aligned broking powerhouse.

How will this acquisition affect my investments held with AW?

There will be no change with how you interact with Andrew West Stockbrokers. Your investments will remain with Andrew West Stockbrokers under our CHESS agreement.

Will this acquisition translate into benefits for me?

Yes, this acquisition will give you the ability to transact with one provider for all your online share and CFD trading requirements. The combined operation will give you the security of dealing with one of the largest non bank aligned brokers in Australia. Soon you will able to use your share portfolio as collateral for CFD trading to leverage or hedge your current investments.

Will there be any changes to my account? ie. Fees, account number, log-ins etc.

There will be no changes to your account. Everything will remain business as usual.

Will I still have the same level of service and broker contacts?

Yes, everything including your broker will remain the same as it is currently.

Will Andrew West still be managing the company?

Yes, Andrew West will continue to ensure and help in the smooth transition and the integration of the 2 companies.

What will the company be called? Ie. Will the Andrew West Stockbrokers brand change?

No. There are no plans to change the Andrew West Stockbrokers brand at this stage. However we will be integrating various operational functions in the coming months to maximise resources and expertise.

Will my information be passed automatically to CMC Markets?

Your information will be treated in line with the privacy laws and our privacy policy. You may receive information from CMC Markets.

What if I don't want this to happen?

If you do not want to receive any marketing communications from CMC Markets, email us at privacy@andrewwest.com.au or write to 'Privacy Officer' GPO Box 5351 Sydney NSW 2001.

Will I automatically become a client of CMC Markets?

No. You will have access to the range of CMC Markets products and services at any time and you will be kept informed of upcoming offers and events from CMC Markets. However to become a client you will need to open and fund a CFD account.

Find out more http://www.cmcmarkets.com.au/en/content/open_an_account/special_offer.jsp

What happens if I already have an account with CMC Markets?

There is no change, your account details will remain the same for both Andrew West Stockbrokers and CMC Markets. It will continue business as usual.

How can I find out more about CMC Markets and CFDs?

From January CMC Markets will be running a series of introductory seminars exclusively for Andrew West Stockbrokers clients where you will be able to find out more about CFDs and CMC Markets in general.

Find out more www.cmcmarkets.com.au/introduction

What if I have other questions?

Contact your broker or our Helpdesk directly should you have any further questions.

You should consider whether CFDs are suitable for you. Losses can exceed your initial deposit. A Product Disclosure Statement for CFDs is available from CMC Markets and should be considered in deciding whether to acquire, or to continue to hold, CFDs. CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty Ltd (ACN 100 058 213, AFS Licence No. 238054). Education services are provided by CMC Markets Pty Ltd (ACN 100 058 106, AFSL No. 279437), a subsidiary company of CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty Ltd. *53% of CFD traders, trade with CMC Markets - Source: Investment Trends May 2007. Andrew West & Co. Limited 2007 Member of the Australian Stock Exchange Limited ABN 69 081 002 851 Australian Financial Services Licence No:246381

Australia's largest CFD provider acquires boutique stockbroking firm

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Andrew West is pleased to announce the details of its recently concluded negotiations whereby CMC Markets, Australia's leading CFD provider will acquire Andrew West Stockbrokers. The combined operations of the two companies will create Australia's new non-bank aligned broking powerhouse.

"I am very pleased to have the backing of CMC Markets, which is a recognised leader in online derivatives trading. This move is an important phase in our growth and expansion," said Andrew West, Chief Executive Officer of Andrew West Stockbrokers.

For clients of Andrew West Stockbrokers who would like to read more about the acquisition, please click here.

You can also contact our Helpdesk on 1300-360-071 for more information.