28 Jan 2008: Barclays Stockbrokers Launches EURO STOXX Top 50 and FTSE 100 Capital Protected Investment Notes

The Euro STOXX Top 50 Investment Note is a five year note which tracks the Dow Jones EuroSTOXX 50 Index® and offers a potential return of 75% if the final level of the index is equal to or higher than the initial level.  Investors will receive their full investment back at maturity provided that the Index hasn’t fallen below 60% of the Initial Level and failed to recover, in this case their capital return will be reduced by 1% for every 1% that the index is below its initial level.

The European blue-chip companies, measured through the performance of the index, include sectors comprising finance, telecommunications, health care, food, technology, retail, chemicals and the auto industry.
The companies within these sectors include:

• BCO Santander Central Hispano
• E.on
• ING Group
• Bayer
• Nokia
• Sanofi Aventis
• Telefonica 
• Total

The FTSE 100 Capital Protected Investment Note is a six year growth investment which is designed for investors who want to share in the growth potential of the FTSE 100 Index.  It will provide investors, at the end of the term, with 100% capital protection and a return of 133% of any rise in the Index, subject to a maximum index rise of 60%. Therefore investors’ returns are capped at 80%.

Both of these Investment Notes are eligible to be held within Barclays Stockbrokers Investment ISA, PEP or SIPP and therefore investors can also enjoy tax-free returns on their investments.

Amy Nauiokas, MD and Head of Barclays Stockbrokers says: “We have launched these notes to cater for those investors looking to benefit from different markets in ISA season.  The FTSE 100 Capital Protected Note will suit those investors who want to benefit from any rise in the FTSE 100 Index over the next six years but want the peace of mind that capital protection offers, while the Euro STOXX Top 50 Note offers access to Europe’s leading blue-chip index. These are the first two of several diverse Investment Notes we intend to offer clients over the 2008 ISA period. 

“ISA season is now upon us and these notes have been launched to offer ISA investors different options when choosing their investments.  Investment Notes also offer the flexibility of buying and selling through Barclays Stockbrokers on a daily basis, and coupled with capital protection are a good option for investors looking for stability in volatile markets.”