Last updated: 07/11/2017
A kick out investment plan is a fixed term investment plan that has the ability to kick out or mature early each year, providing a fixed growth return along with a full repayment of your initial capital. These investments have proved popular with a wide range of investors looking for high investment returns, especially since growth can be achieved even when the market does not perform strongly.
Investec’s Enhanced Kick Out Plan offers the potential to achieve one of the highest headline growth rates of any kick out investment that is linked to the performance of the FTSE 100 Index. We take a closer look at the plan and review the risk versus reward on offer to see how this might make for an attractive opportunity in the current investment climate.
Plan summary
The plan has the potential to provide 9.35% growth per year (not compounded) so long as the FTSE 100 index, at the end of each year, is higher than its value at the start of the plan. Although to achieve these returns the FTSE has to rise, it only needs to increase by a single point. In the event that the plan kicks out, then your capital is returned in full along with the accrued interest. If the plan does not kick out, then your capital is at risk. In the event that the FTSE has fallen by more than 40% from its level at the start of the plan, your capital will be reduced by 1% for every 1% fall.
Kick Out (early maturity)
The plan comes with the ability to kick out or mature early, depending on the performance of the FTSE. The plan has a maximum term of six years. However, at the end of each year, if the FTSE is higher than its starting value (subject to averaging – see below) the plan will mature early. The type of plan has become popular with all types of investors, as it can provide competitive investment returns and even outperform the market in the event that the market stays relatively flat.
The use of averaging
When calculating the level of the FTSE at the end of each year for the purposes of comparing it with its value at the start of the plan, the plan takes the average closing levels of the Index for the five business days up to and including the end of each plan year. The use of averaging can reduce the adverse effects of a falling market or sudden market falls whilst it can also reduce the benefits of an increasing market or sudden market rises before the maturity.
Potential for high returns
As well as the ability to mature early, the plan’s potential to achieve almost double digit returns draws attention from a wide range of investors. The headline rate for the current issues of the Enhanced Kick Out Plan is 9.35% annual growth, and although the return is not compounded, it will be paid for every year the investment has been in place. The opportunity to achieve such high returns, even if the FTSE’s growth is relatively flat, is perhaps the main reason for why this plan has been so popular with our investors.
Some capital protection from a falling market
It is important to note that an investor will have to put their capital at risk in order to receive potentially higher returns than are available from cash deposits, since any growth and the treatment of your initial capital are both linked to the performance of the FTSE.
The plan does offer some capital protection as well. If the plan fails to kick out by the end of the sixth year, the return of your initial investment will depend on whether the FTSE has dropped more than 40% of its starting value. This means that the FTSE can fall up to 40% of its starting value and you will still receive a full return of your initial capital. Conversely, if the FTSE has decreased by more than 40% then the capital you invested will be reduced by 1% for every 1% the Index has fallen.
Defined risk and defined returns
One of the reasons this investment plan has become so popular with our investors, is that the potential returns are stated up front, so if any growth is achieved, you will know exactly what the return will be. These defined returns for a defined level of risk make it easier to weigh up whether you are prepared to put your capital at risk for the potential higher returns on offer, since you know precisely what needs to happen to receive the interest rate you want.
Investec as counterparty
The Enhanced Kick Out is a structured investment plan which means your investment is not the same as investing directly in the stock market. When you invest in a structured investment plan, you are essentially purchasing securities issued by Investec Bank, which are designed to produce the stated returns on offer. In this case, Investec is known as the counterparty to your investment, and means that their ability to meet their financial obligations becomes an important investment consideration with this type of plan.
Credit rating
Fitch is one of main global credit rating agencies in the industry and Investec Bank plc has a credit rating of BBB- with a stable outlook. The ‘BBB’ rating denotes an adequate capacity for payment of financial commitments although adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity with the ‘-‘ signifying it is at the lower end of this rating grade. This means that Fitch believes that Investec Bank plc has a good credit quality and indicates that expectations of default risk are currently low.
Investec Bank Plc
Investec is an international specialist bank and asset manager with its main operations in the UK and South Africa. Established in 1974, they provide a range of financial products and services and specialise in a number of areas, particularly within the banking sector. They are also a market leading provider of investment plans and structured deposits.
Investec is an international specialist bank and asset manager with its main operations in the UK and South Africa. Established in 1974, they currently employ around 9,000 people and as at 31st March 2017, look after £150.7 billion of customer assets. They provide a diverse range of financial products and services and specialise in a number of areas, particularly within the banking sector. Their banking operation looks after £29.1 billion of customer deposits and they are also a market leading provider of investment plans and structured deposits in the UK.
ISA friendly
In addition to non-ISA investments, this investment has been one of our most popular with ISA investors and is available as a New ISA up to the current £20,000 ISA allowance, and also accepts transfers from both Cash ISAs and Stocks & Shares ISAs. Please check the plan details for any application or transfer deadlines that apply. The minimum investment is £3,000.
Fair Investment conclusion
Commenting on the plan, Oliver Roylance-Smith, head of savings and investment at Fair Investment Company Limited, said: “The Enhanced Kick Out Plan from Investec has been our most popular kick out plan for some years. The reason why investors are drawn to this plan will be varied and will of course depend on your view of what might happen to the FTSE in the coming years, but the ability to produce close to double digit returns even if the market stays relatively flat is likely to be an attractive feature.”
He continued: “The plan can also mature every year from year one onwards, whilst with other similar plans you may have to wait until at least year 2. Combined with offering some capital protection against a falling stock market and on balance, this plan could offer a compelling balance of risk versus reward in the current investment climate.”
Click here for more information about the Investec Enhanced Kick Out Plan »
No news, feature article or comment should be seen as a personal recommendation to invest. Prior to making any decision to invest, you should ensure that you are familiar with the risks associated with a particular investment. If you are at all unsure of the suitability of a particular investment, both in respect of its objectives and its risk profile, you should seek independent financial advice.
Tax treatment of ISAs depends on your individual circumstances and is based on current law which may be subject to change in the future. ISA transfer charges may apply, please check with your provider.
This is a structured investment plan that is not capital protected and is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) for default alone. There is a risk of losing some or all of your initial investment. There is a risk that the company backing the plan or any company associated with the plan may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated. In addition, you may not get back the full amount of your initial investment if the plan is not held for the full term. The past performance of the FTSE 100 Index is not a guide to its future performance. This investment does not include the same security of capital which is afforded to a Cash ISAs.