Structured Products. Section F “Structured products” is the generic phrase for products which provide economic exposure to a wide range of underlying asset classes. The level of income and/or capital growth derived from a structured product is usually linked to the performance of the relevant underlying assets. However, the potential return from your structured product may be different to that which may be achieved by the underlying assets. Certain structured products provide capital protection such that an investor will not have economic exposure to performance of the underlying assets below a certain level. Other structured products may put your capital at risk (these are sometimes known as Structured Capital At Risk Products or SCARPs). Similar to bonds and debt instruments, most structured products strategies are exposed to the credit rating of the product issuer, meaning that repayment could be at risk if the issuer is not able to repay the sums due under the terms of the product. However some products may include a guarantee to mitigate these potential credit risks. Investors should be aware that the return of capital invested at the end of the investment period is not guaranteed, and therefore investors may get back less than was originally invested. Investors should understand both the nature of the underlying assets and extent of their economic exposure to those assets. In some cases, structured products may offer high income or a high level of participation to the capital growth experienced by the underlying assets. These products generally do not incorporate capital protection, and any that is provided is dependent on a financial index or basket of indices meeting certain conditions during the product life (such as a minimum value). Such products generally include leverage (i.e. borrowing or agreeing to incur potential liabilities in an attempt to boost investment returns), and their value can be subject to sudden and large falls if the conditions which disapply protection arise. Investors should review product term sheets and other literature carefully for details of any factors which might impact on how the payoff from a product may change with different economic or market conditions. In particular, where the payoff from a product incorporates conditional protection, if the protection barrier is breached the capital value of an investment will be exposed to the full risk of the underlying assets. Investors should be aware that the product terms described only apply to investors who invest at launch and who hold the product until final maturity. Investors should be aware that early redemption or secondary market purchase could result in a capital loss, even where the product terms protect or guarantee return of the nominal amount purchased. These products may also not be readily realisable, which means that it may be difficult to liquidate or sell a product of this type. Investors in products which have either conditional or no capital protection should only invest in them if they are prepared to sustain a total or substantial loss of the money they have invested, plus any commission or other transaction charges. Alternative investments may be used by some clients to further diversify the investment risks present within their portfolio of assets. These investments are very bespoke in nature and may involve unique or unusual risks as a result of providing alternative sources of return for a portfolio. It is important that you understand the properties of the type of assets before making such an investment. Many alternative investments are structured as unregulated funds. This means that standards of operation, administration and management are determined privately by the operator of the fund, rather than by force of regulation. It is important to understand that it may be difficult to liquidate or sell an investment of this type, or to identify an independently determined fair valuation for an interest in this kind of vehicle. In addition you may not be protected by certain regulatory protections or compensation schemes in the event that a scheme operator acts unlawfully and causes a loss to you when managing fund assets. Such risks can be mitigated through the performance of extensive due diligence prior to investment, or through investment via a professionally managed fund of funds. Investors should only invest in these products if they are prepared to sustain a total or substantial loss of the money they have invested, plus any commission or other transaction charges. The phrase “alternative investments” can cover a very wide range of investment products, and the major classes of these products are set out below: (a) Hedge Funds Hedge funds are investments which, in contrast to conventional “long only” funds, will employ a wide variety of different trading strategies in order to produce returns. The type of strategies and investments envisaged by a hedge fund will be a key determinant of how risky the investment will be. Strategies may range from lower risk absolute return funds up to high risk or speculative funds which make use of extensive leverage in an attempt to make maximum gain from their investment strategy. Investments undertaken by hedge funds may be narrowly based around a specific type of asset or trading strategy, and the returns experienced by investors in these funds may be adversely affected by very specific market or industry circumstances. It is therefore important to understand the type of strategy and investment to be used in any hedge fund prior to investment. (b) Private Equity and Private Equity Funds Private equity funds commonly invest in any form of equity or company that is not openly traded via a public investment exchange. The companies concerned will therefore raise finance privately and will not be subject to stringent listing rules or filing requirements as a result. This factor means that private equity funds may invest in a wide range of unlisted companies. They may be small start-up companies with little or no proven track record, and range up to firms which are of a significant size with a long and established trading history. A number of attributes of private equity investment give rise to unique risk factors such as: (i) non-transferable investments, or a long “lock up” period during which the investment cannot be sold. Even if a buyer is found, it may not be possible to sell and any sale which is permitted may not occur at a price which reflects fair value; (ii) the committed capital may be drawn down during a capital commitment period. Investors must be capable of making payments to satisfy the capital calls made throughout the commitment period; (iii) a focused portfolio of investments, which could lead to exposure to an undiversified economic exposure to the underlying assets; (iv) possible use of significant leverage or borrowing, which amplifies possible risks; (v) a possible lack of scrutiny or accountability of management to shareholders for decisions they make; and (vi) distributions are generally made in cash, however if a fund is unable to sell its interest in a private company, it may distribute minority interests in these companies to fund investors. It is important that you are familiar with the terms of, and risks associated with, any fund that you invest in. (c) Property or Property Development Funds Investment in real property or property funds involves a number of risks particular to this class of asset. Notably fixed property is immovable and might not be easy to sell or to value independently. As a result of the illiquid nature of property it may take time to realise any investment made even when participating in a property fund. There is no guarantee that the underlying properties will remain occupied, or that they might not incur significant maintenance or restoration costs which may impact on the returns available. All property is subject to local risks which may be unique in nature, which may be caused by factors such as the prevailing legal, economic, environmental or political circumstances. Investors in property development funds face additional risks related to the successful completion of the development project both on time and according to budget. Even if a project is successfully completed, there is no guarantee that properties will either be sold or tenanted at the intended cost or timeframe. Commercial property is also subject to risks related to the type of use associated with the property, and the prosperity of the local or national economy relevant to the tenants and their business. Returns available from property funds may also be affected by leverage where borrowing is used to finance either construction or purchase. In order to maintain fairness and equity between unitholders remaining in and unitholders leaving a fund, in exceptional circumstances, there may be delay switching or encashing all or part of unit holding in the funds for typically up to one month or, in the case of units of a fund which invests directly or indirectly in buildings or land, for up to six months. If there is delay, the switch or encashment will generally use the unit prices that apply on the day on which the switch actually takes place. Commodities Linked Products Commodity based investments may be impacted by a variety of political, economic, environmental and seasonal factors. These relate to real world issues that impact either on demand or on the available supply of the commodity in question. Their value can fall as well as rise, and in some cases may be mean reverting in nature. Investment into commodities is often achieved either via a structured product over a commodities index or basket of different commodities, or by using a commodity derivative. Please refer to the risk disclosures for each of these products for further information.
Appears in 1 contract
Sources: Terms and Conditions
Structured Products. Section F “Structured products” is the generic phrase for products which provide economic exposure to a wide range of underlying asset classes. The level of income and/or capital growth derived from a structured product is usually linked to the performance of the relevant underlying assets. However, the potential return from your structured product may be different to that which may be achieved by the underlying assets. Certain structured products provide capital protection such that an investor will not have economic exposure to performance of the underlying assets below a certain level. Other structured products may put your capital at risk (these are sometimes known as Structured Capital At Risk Products or SCARPs). Similar to bonds and debt instruments, most structured products strategies are exposed to the credit rating of the product issuer, meaning that repayment could be at risk if the issuer is not able to repay the sums due under the terms of the product. However some products may include a guarantee to mitigate these potential credit risks. Investors should be aware that the return of capital invested at the end of the investment period is not guaranteed, and therefore investors may get back less than was originally invested. Investors should understand both the nature of the underlying assets and extent of their economic exposure to those assets. In some cases, structured products may offer high income or a high level of participation to the capital growth experienced by the underlying assets. These products generally do not incorporate capital protection, and any that is provided is dependent on a financial index or basket of indices meeting certain conditions during the product life (such as a minimum value). Such products generally include leverage (i.e. borrowing or agreeing to incur potential liabilities in an attempt to boost investment returns), and their value can be subject to sudden and large falls if the conditions which disapply protection arise. Investors should review product term sheets and other literature carefully for details of any factors which might impact on how the payoff from a product may change with different economic or market conditions. In particular, where the payoff from a product incorporates conditional protection, if the protection barrier is breached the capital value of an investment will be exposed to the full risk of the underlying assets. Investors should be aware that the product terms described only apply to investors who invest at launch and who hold the product until final maturity. Investors should be aware that early redemption or secondary market purchase could result in a capital loss, even where the product terms protect or guarantee return of the nominal amount purchased. These products may also not be readily realisable, which means that it may be difficult to liquidate or sell a product of this type. Investors in products which have either conditional or no capital protection should only invest in them if they are prepared to sustain a total or substantial loss of the money they have invested, plus any commission or other transaction charges. Alternative investments may be used by some clients to further diversify the investment risks present within their portfolio of assets. These investments are very bespoke in nature and may involve unique or unusual risks as a result of providing alternative sources of return for a portfolio. It is important that you understand the properties of the type of assets before making such an investment. Many alternative investments are structured as unregulated funds. This means that standards of operation, administration and management are determined privately by the operator of the fund, rather than by force of regulation. It is important to understand that it may be difficult to liquidate or sell an investment of this type, or to identify an independently determined fair valuation for an interest in this kind of vehicle. In addition you may not be protected by certain regulatory protections or compensation schemes in the event that a scheme operator acts unlawfully and causes a loss to you when managing fund assets. Such risks can be mitigated through the performance of extensive due diligence prior to investment, or through investment via a professionally managed fund of funds. Investors should only invest in these products if they are prepared to sustain a total or substantial loss of the money they have invested, plus any commission or other transaction charges. The phrase “alternative investments” can cover a very wide range of investment products, and the major classes of these products are set out below:
(a) Hedge Funds Hedge funds are investments which, in contrast to conventional “long only” funds, will employ a wide variety of different trading strategies in order to produce returns. The type of strategies and investments envisaged by a hedge fund will be a key determinant of how risky the investment will be. Strategies may range from lower risk absolute return funds up to high risk or speculative funds which make use of extensive leverage in an attempt to make maximum gain from their investment strategy. Investments undertaken by hedge funds may be narrowly based around a specific type of asset or trading strategy, and the returns experienced by investors in these funds may be adversely affected by very specific market or industry circumstances. It is therefore important to understand the type of strategy and investment to be used in any hedge fund prior to investment.
(b) Private Equity and Private Equity Funds Private equity funds commonly invest in any form of equity or company that is not openly traded via a public investment exchange. The companies concerned will therefore raise finance privately and will not be subject to stringent listing rules or filing requirements as a result. This factor means that private equity funds may invest in a wide range of unlisted companies. They may be small start-up companies with little or no proven track record, and range up to firms which are of a significant size with a long and established trading history. A number of attributes of private equity investment give rise to unique risk factors such as:
(i) non-transferable investments, or a long “lock up” period during which the investment cannot be sold. Even if a buyer is found, it may not be possible to sell and any sale which is permitted may not occur at a price which reflects fair value;
(ii) the committed capital may be drawn down during a capital commitment period. Investors must be capable of making payments to satisfy the capital calls made throughout the commitment period;
(iii) a focused portfolio of investments, which could lead to exposure to an undiversified economic exposure to the underlying assets;
(iv) possible use of significant leverage or borrowing, which amplifies possible risks;
(v) a possible lack of scrutiny or accountability of management to shareholders for decisions they make; and
(vi) distributions are generally made in cash, however if a fund is unable to sell its interest in a private company, it may distribute minority interests in these companies to fund investors. It is important that you are familiar with the terms of, and risks associated with, any fund that you invest in.
(c) Property or Property Development Funds Investment in real property or property funds involves a number of risks particular to this class of asset. Notably fixed property is immovable and might not be easy to sell or to value independently. As a result of the illiquid nature of property it may take time to realise any investment made even when participating in a property fund. There is no guarantee that the underlying properties will remain occupied, or that they might not incur significant maintenance or restoration costs which may impact on the returns available. All property is subject to local risks which may be unique in nature, which may be caused by factors such as the prevailing legal, economic, environmental or political circumstances. Investors in property development funds face additional risks related to the successful completion of the development project both on time and according to budget. Even if a project is successfully completed, there is no guarantee that properties will either be sold or tenanted at the intended cost or timeframe. Commercial property is also subject to risks related to the type of use associated with the property, and the prosperity of the local or national economy relevant to the tenants and their business. Returns available from property funds may also be affected by leverage where borrowing is used to finance either construction or purchase. In order to maintain fairness and equity between unitholders remaining in and unitholders leaving a fund, in exceptional circumstances, there may be delay switching or encashing all or part of unit holding in the funds for typically up to one month or, in the case of units of a fund which invests directly or indirectly in buildings or land, for up to six months. If there is delay, the switch or encashment will generally use the unit prices that apply on the day on which the switch actually takes place. Commodities Linked Products Commodity based investments may be impacted by a variety of political, economic, environmental and seasonal factors. These relate to real world issues that impact either on demand or on the available supply of the commodity in question. Their value can fall as well as rise, and in some cases may be mean reverting in nature. Investment into commodities is often achieved either via a structured product over a commodities index or basket of different commodities, or by using a commodity derivative. Please refer to the risk disclosures for each of these products for further information.
Appears in 1 contract
Structured Products. Section F “Structured products” is the generic phrase for products which provide economic exposure to a wide range of underlying asset classes. The level of income and/or capital growth derived from a structured product is usually linked to the performance of the relevant underlying assets. However, the potential return from your structured product may be different to that which may be achieved by the underlying assets. Certain structured products provide capital protection such that an investor will not have economic exposure to performance of the underlying assets below a certain level. Other structured products may put your capital at risk (these are sometimes known as Structured Capital At Risk Products or SCARPs). Similar to bonds and debt instruments, most structured products strategies are exposed to the credit rating of the product issuer, meaning that repayment could be at risk if the issuer is not able to repay the sums due under the terms of the product. However some products may include a guarantee to mitigate these potential credit risks. Investors should be aware that the return of capital invested at the end of the investment period is not guaranteed, and therefore investors may get back less than was originally invested. Investors should understand both the nature of the underlying assets and extent of their economic exposure to those assets. In some cases, structured products may offer high income or a high level of participation to the capital growth experienced by the underlying assets. These products generally do not incorporate capital protection, and any that is provided is dependent on a financial index or basket of indices meeting certain conditions during the product life (such as a minimum value). Such products generally include leverage (i.e. borrowing or agreeing to incur potential liabilities in an attempt to boost investment returns), and their value can be subject to sudden and large falls if the conditions which disapply protection arise. Investors should review product term sheets and other literature carefully for details of any factors which might impact on how the payoff from a product may change with different economic or market conditions. In particular, where the payoff from a product incorporates conditional protection, if the protection barrier is breached the capital value of an investment will be exposed to the full risk of the underlying assets. Investors should be aware that the product terms described only apply to investors who invest at launch and who hold the product until final maturity. Investors should be aware that early redemption or secondary market purchase could result in a capital loss, even where the product terms protect or guarantee return of the nominal amount purchased. These products may also not be readily realisable, which means that it may be difficult to liquidate or sell a product of this type. Investors in products which have either conditional or no capital protection should only invest in them if they are prepared to sustain a total or substantial loss of the money they have invested, plus any commission or other transaction charges. Alternative investments may be used by some clients to further diversify the investment risks present within their portfolio of assets. These investments are very bespoke in nature and may involve unique or unusual risks as a result of providing alternative sources of return for a portfolio. It is important that you understand the properties of the type of assets before making such an investment. Many alternative investments are structured as unregulated funds. This means that standards of operation, administration and management are determined privately by the operator of the fund, rather than by force of regulation. It is important to understand that it may be difficult to liquidate or sell an investment of this type, or to identify an independently determined fair valuation for an interest in this kind of vehicle. In addition you may not be protected by certain regulatory protections or compensation schemes in the event that a scheme operator acts unlawfully and causes a loss to you when managing fund assets. Such risks can be mitigated through the performance of extensive due diligence prior to investment, or through investment via a professionally managed fund of funds. Investors should only invest in these products if they are prepared to sustain a total or substantial loss of the money they have invested, plus any commission or other transaction charges. The phrase “alternative investments” can cover a very wide range of investment products, and the major classes of these products are set out below:
(a) Hedge Funds Hedge funds are investments which, in contrast to conventional “long only” funds, will employ a wide variety of different trading strategies in order to produce returns. The type of strategies and investments envisaged by a hedge fund will be a key determinant of how risky the investment will be. Strategies may range from lower risk absolute return funds up to high risk or speculative funds which make use of extensive leverage in an attempt to make maximum gain from their investment strategy. Investments undertaken by hedge funds may be narrowly based around a specific type of asset or trading strategy, and the returns experienced by investors in these funds may be adversely affected by very specific market or industry circumstances. It is therefore important to understand the type of strategy and investment to be used in any hedge fund prior to investment.
(b) Private Equity and Private Equity Funds Private equity funds commonly invest in any form of equity or company that is not openly traded via a public investment exchange. The companies concerned will therefore raise finance privately and will not be subject to stringent listing rules or filing requirements as a result. This factor means that private equity funds may invest in a wide range of unlisted companies. They may be small start-up companies with little or no proven track record, and range up to firms which are of a significant size with a long and established trading history. A number of attributes of private equity investment give rise to unique risk factors such as:
(i) non-transferable investments, or a long “lock up” period during which the investment cannot be sold. Even if a buyer is found, it may not be possible to sell and any sale which is permitted may not occur at a price which reflects fair value;
(ii) the committed capital may be drawn down during a capital commitment period. Investors must be capable of making payments to satisfy the capital calls made throughout the commitment period;
(iii) a focused portfolio of investments, which could lead to exposure to an undiversified economic exposure to the underlying assets;
(iv) possible use of significant leverage or borrowing, which amplifies possible risks;
(v) a possible lack of scrutiny or accountability of management to shareholders for decisions they make; and
(vi) distributions are generally made in cash, however if a fund is unable to sell its interest in a private company, it may distribute minority interests in these companies to fund investors. It is important that you are familiar with the terms of, and risks associated with, any fund that you invest in.
(c) Property or Property Development Funds Investment in real property or property funds involves a number of risks particular to this class of asset. Notably fixed property is immovable and might not be easy to sell or to value independently. As a result of the illiquid nature of property it may take time to realise any investment made even when participating in a property fund. There is no guarantee that the underlying properties will remain occupied, or that they might not incur significant maintenance or restoration costs which may impact on the returns available. All property is subject to local risks which may be unique in nature, which may be caused by factors such as the prevailing legal, economic, environmental or political circumstances. Investors in property development funds face additional risks related to the successful completion of the development project both on time and according to budget. Even if a project is successfully completed, there is no guarantee that properties will either be sold or tenanted at the intended cost or timeframe. Commercial property is also subject to risks related to the type of use associated with the property, and the prosperity of the local or national economy relevant to the tenants and their business. Returns available from property funds may also be affected by leverage where borrowing is used to finance either construction or purchase. In order to maintain fairness and equity between unitholders remaining in and unitholders leaving a fund, in exceptional circumstances, there may be delay switching or encashing all or part of unit holding in the funds for typically up to one month or, in the case of units of a fund which invests directly or indirectly in buildings or land, for up to six months. If there is delay, the switch or encashment will generally use the unit prices that apply on the day on which the switch actually takes place. Commodities Linked Products Commodity based investments may be impacted by a variety of political, economic, environmental and seasonal factors. These relate to real world issues that impact either on demand or on the available supply of the commodity in question. Their value can fall as well as rise, and in some cases may be mean reverting in nature. Investment into commodities is often achieved either via a structured product over a commodities index or basket of different commodities, or by using a commodity derivative. Please refer to the risk disclosures for each of these products for further information.
Appears in 1 contract
Sources: Investment Agreement