Structured products
WHAT IS THIS? Structured products are investments that have multiple components. For retail investors, the most common form is a bond plus an option – these tend to be standardised, sold in small tickets and large volumes. Managing the risks of large structured products portfolios is one of the biggest challenges dealers face.
Lehman Brothers losses loom large
The collapse of Lehman Brothers has shocked investors in structured products. Previously immune to the financial crisis in the immediate markets that surround them, those that bought products from the defunct US investment bank are now contemplating…
Seeking a bite from the goliaths
Sovereign wealth funds
Fund farewells to leverage
After the heydays of 2005 and 2006, the structured funds space is showing signs of strain. Liquidity shortages and worries about the future of some hedge funds have taken their toll, leading some banks to withdraw or make big cuts in investment in this…
Sunk by correlation
Equity Derivatives
Barclays delivers fourth issue of Emerging Markets Optimiser
Barclays Wealth has released the fourth issue of its five-year Emerging Markets Optimiser, which has accrued more than £50 million since the first tranche launched in February. The plan offers the Eastern European option that was introduced in the June…
Lehman releases inaugural issue of Dual Income Plan
Lehman Brothers has launched the first issue of its Dual Income Plan, offering investors a choice of 8.8% annual fixed income or 0.71% monthly fixed income. The five-year plan, linked to the FTSE 100 index, provides full return of capital at maturity…
A structure out of all proportion?
Volatile markets have reignited the debate about the validity of constant proportion portfolio insurance, leaving investors cashed-out and locked in. Structurers are coming up with new ways to tackle the structure's weaknesses, but could bond and option…
Hearing aids
The European Union opened its investigation on retail investment products to the public on July 15, at an open hearing held in the EU buildings in Brussels. The hearing attracted more lobbies than had been expected, 80 of which had submitted their views…
Stuck on structures
Editor's letter
Industry releases draft principles for structured products
Daily news headlines
Index invasion
Commodity Indexes
Room for skew
Skew
Taxing times for ETNs
Exchange-traded Notes
Death by association
CFXOS
Absolute return strategies
Sponsored Statement
RICI© – Enhanced SM Index
Sponsored Statement
FSF calls for rating agency changes to aid market
Banks, investors and rating agencies are bracing themselves for a barrage of new regulatory guidance, consultation papers and capital charges in the wake of a report by the Financial Stability Forum (FSF) on April 12, which made a series of…
Margin of error
Prime Brokers