Structured products are capital protection investment choice for IFAs
25 August 2009 / by Rebecca Sargent
Just over 90 per cent of Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) said that they use structured investment products to provide clients with capital protection, a survey by Structured Products magazine has revealed.
Nevertheless, caution prevails amongst IFAs following the collapse of Lehman Brothers, which highlighted the need to assess the underlying strength of structured products, including the counterparty.
The counterparty is the protection behind most structured investment products, and is provided by a financial institution – If that institution were to default on financial obligations, any promise of capital return may not be met, which is why counterparty strength is paramount.
One IFA said: “The current problem is knowing the strength of the guarantee provider.”
The survey also revealed that there is a lack of counterparty understanding amongst some advisers.
However, if used properly structured products can provide valuable capital protection. One IFA added: “In balanced portfolios, structured products have a place, but they are not a one-way bet.
“Provided clients are made fully aware of both the upsides and the downsides, there should be no problems.”
In summary, structured products are not without risk, but as long as the product terms and associated risks are fully understood, many advisers are using them to form a critical part of a client’s portfolio.
Learn more about structured investment products »
© Fair Investment Company Ltd
| Product Name | ISA Option | Income Yield | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Investec FTSE 100 Income Deposit Plan |  |
3.50% per annum |
More Info > |
| 6 year capital protected deposit plan paying a potential income of 3.50% annually or 0.28% monthly. Also available for Cash ISA and Cash ISA transfer. | ||||
 |
Income Maximiser | |
More Info > | |
| Seeks to achieve a target yield of 7% to generate a quarterly income, whilst offering the potential for some long-term capital growth. Save 100% on Initial Charges. | ||||
 |
Monthly Income Plus Fund | |
More Info > | |
| Popular monthly income fund that aims to achieve a high level of income whilst seeking to maximise total return through investing in high yielding corporate and Government bonds, together with UK equities. 100% discount on initial charges. Click here to view latest Fund Facts » |
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Strategic Bond | |
More Info > | |
| Investing in higher yielding assets which will include most types of fixed interest securities, this fund aims to deliver a quarterly income to investors. Save up to 97% on Initial Charges. | ||||
 |
Invesco Perpetual Corporate Bond Fund | |
More Info > | |
| This highly popular investment fund aims to achieve a high level of overall return with relative security to capital. Income Paid to you twice yearly. Up to a 100% Discount off the Standard Initial Fund Charge. Click here to view latest Fund Facts » |
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 |
Artemis Income Fund | |
More Info > | |
| One of the leading UK Equity Income Funds. The Fund managers hunt out companies with strong free cash flow and solid balance sheets. Income is paid to you twice yearly. 100% Discount off the Standard Initial Fund Charge. Click here to view latest Fund Facts » |
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|
Invesco Perpetual High Income Fund | |
More Info > | |
| One of the UK’s most popular income funds, the Invesco Perpetual High Income has delivered consistently good long term returns through a variety of market conditions. Income is paid to you twice yearly. Up to a 100% Discount off the Standard Initial Fund Charge. Click here to view latest Fund Facts » |
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M&G; Corporate Bond Fund | |
More Info > | |
| The M&G; Corporate Bond Fund is a conservative ‘blue chip’ sterling fund that aims to produce a higher return than UK government bonds. Income is Paid to you Quarterly. 100% Discount off the Standard Initial Fund Charge. | ||||
 |
Jupiter Merlin Income Portfolio | |
More Info > | |
| The Jupiter Merlin Income Portfolio fund aims to achieve a high and rising income with some potential for capital growth. Income Distributions are made to you quarterly. 95% Discount off the Standard Initial Charge. Click here to view latest Fund Facts » |
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The value of investments and any return from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested. Please ensure that you read the Important Risk Information below.
| Product Name | ISA Option | Maximum Potential Return | Term | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
FTSE 100 Enhanced Kick Out Plan | |
10% per annum |
Up to 6 years |
More Info > |
| Structured investment plan with the potential to mature after years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. If the plan matures early it will return 10% times the number of years the plan has been in force. Also available for Stocks & Shares ISA and ISA transfer. | |||||
|
FTSE 100 Kick Out Deposit Plan | |
6% per annum |
Up to 6 years |
More Info > |
| Capital protected deposit plan with the potential to mature after years 3, 4, 5 and 6. If the plan matures early it will return 6% times the number of years the plan has been in force. Also available for Cash ISA and ISA transfer. | |||||
The value of investments and any return from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested. Please ensure that you read the Important Risk Information below.
| Service | ISA Option | Minimum Investment | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Share Trading Account Plus | |
More Info > | |
| Trade in a wide variety of investment options including International Equities, Warrants and Covered Warrants. Frequent traders get a reduced rate of £8.95 | ||||
The value of investments and any return from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested. Please ensure that you read the Important Risk Information below.
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