Defensive investment plans

For investors who are concerned with volatile markets it is worth considering the merits of defensive investment plans, which are designed to produce investment level growth returns even if the underlying investment goes down.

They offer a defined return for a defined level of risk, so you will know from the outset exactly what must happen in order to receive any growth and a return of your initial investment.

Although each plan has its own characteristics, they are designed for investors who are not convinced the markets will continue to rise and so wish to have the potential for investment returns even if the market falls slightly.

 

Defensive Growth Plan

Meteor FTSE Annual Step Down to 80 Kick Out Plan

Potential Return – 6.55% pa

  • Potential early return in years 2, 3, 4, or 5
  • Return paid if level of the FTSE 100 is above required reference level on an annual observation date
  • Reference level reduces from 100% of the FTSE 100 Opening level down to 80% over 5 year term
  • Available for ISA, non-ISA and ISA transfers
  • Invest from £5,000

Capital At Risk

More information »
Plan Name

Arcus 6Y UK Defensive Kick Out Plan

Maximum Potential Return
7.3%
per annum
Term
Up to 6 years
ISA Option

Important Information: Structured investment plans are not capital protected and are 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 due to the performance of the underlying investment. There is also a risk that the company backing the plan known as the Counterparty may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated.

Plan Name

Mariana FTSE 100 Defensive Kick Out Plan

Maximum Potential Return
7.2%
per annum
Term
Up to 7 years
ISA Option

Important Information: Structured investment plans are not capital protected and are 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 due to the performance of the underlying investment. There is also a risk that the company backing the plan known as the Counterparty may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated.

Plan Name

Meteor FTSE Quarterly 85 Income Kick Out Plan

Potential Income
Up to 6.8% pa
Term
Up to 10 years
ISA Option

Important Information: Structured investment plans are not capital protected and are 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 due to the performance of the underlying investment. There is also a risk that the company backing the plan known as the Counterparty may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated.

Plan Name

MB UK 6Y Monthly 85 Income Kick Out Plan

Potential Income
Up to 6.22%
per year
Term
Up to 6 years
ISA Option

Important Information: Structured investment plans are not capital protected and are 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 due to the performance of the underlying investment. There is also a risk that the company backing the plan known as the Counterparty may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated.

Plan Name

Meteor FTSE Quarterly 75 Income Kick Out Plan

Potential Income
Up to 5.8%
per year
Term
Up to 10 years
ISA Option

Important Information: Structured investment plans are not capital protected and are 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 due to the performance of the underlying investment. There is also a risk that the company backing the plan known as the Counterparty may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated.

Plan Name

MB UK 3Y 90 Growth Deposit Plan

Potential Return
16.52%
at end of term
Term
3 years
ISA Option

Deposit Taker: Barclays Bank plc

Important Information: This is a structured deposit plan and is capital protected. 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 this event you may be entitled to compensation from the  Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), depending on your individual circumstances. In addition, you may not get back the full amount of your initial investment if the plan is not held for the full term.

Investment Growth Plans

Plan Name

Arcus 6Y UK Defensive Kick Out Plan

Maximum Potential Return
7.3%
per annum
Term
Up to 6 years
ISA Option

Important Information: Structured investment plans are not capital protected and are 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 due to the performance of the underlying investment. There is also a risk that the company backing the plan known as the Counterparty may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated.

Plan Name

Mariana FTSE 100 Defensive Kick Out Plan

Maximum Potential Return
7.2%
per annum
Term
Up to 7 years
ISA Option

Important Information: Structured investment plans are not capital protected and are 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 due to the performance of the underlying investment. There is also a risk that the company backing the plan known as the Counterparty may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated.

Plan Name

Meteor FTSE Quarterly 85 Income Kick Out Plan

Potential Income
Up to 6.8% pa
Term
Up to 10 years
ISA Option

Important Information: Structured investment plans are not capital protected and are 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 due to the performance of the underlying investment. There is also a risk that the company backing the plan known as the Counterparty may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated.

Plan Name

MB UK 6Y Monthly 85 Income Kick Out Plan

Potential Income
Up to 6.22%
per year
Term
Up to 6 years
ISA Option

Important Information: Structured investment plans are not capital protected and are 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 due to the performance of the underlying investment. There is also a risk that the company backing the plan known as the Counterparty may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated.

Plan Name

Meteor FTSE Quarterly 75 Income Kick Out Plan

Potential Income
Up to 5.8%
per year
Term
Up to 10 years
ISA Option

Important Information: Structured investment plans are not capital protected and are 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 due to the performance of the underlying investment. There is also a risk that the company backing the plan known as the Counterparty may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated.

Plan Name

MB UK 3Y 90 Growth Deposit Plan

Potential Return
16.52%
at end of term
Term
3 years
ISA Option

Deposit Taker: Barclays Bank plc

Important Information: This is a structured deposit plan and is capital protected. 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 this event you may be entitled to compensation from the  Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), depending on your individual circumstances. In addition, you may not get back the full amount of your initial investment if the plan is not held for the full term.

Different types of defensive investment plan

Although each plan has its own characteristics, collectively they are growth investments which offer the potential for either a fixed return for every year invested (not compounded), or a multiple in any rise in the underlying investment but starting from a lower initial level (normally with a cap on the maximum growth return on offer).

Each of these investments will be structured to offer a defined return for a defined level of risk, and as such you will know from the outset exactly what must happen in order to receive the stated returns on offer.

A middle ground

Defensive investments therefore try and offer the best of both worlds by offering the potential for investment level returns, even if the underlying investment only rises by a small amount, stays flat, or with some plans even goes down slightly.

This means they are designed for investors who have a neutral or negative outlook of what could happen to the stock market in the coming years, and yet who would still like the opportunity to receive the potential for investment level returns.

With the FTSE at historically high levels, these could arguably offer a compelling investment opportunity.

Please note that past performance of the FTSE 100 Index is not a guide to its future performance.

Important Risk Information: This website contains information only and does not constitute advice or a personal recommendation in any way whatsoever. The value of investments and income from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested. The tax efficiency of ISAs is based on current tax law and there is no guarantee that tax rules will stay the same in the future. Different types of investment carry different levels of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Prior to making any decision to invest, you should ensure that you are familiar with the risks associated with a particular investment and should read the product literature. If you are in any doubt as to the suitability of a particular investment, both in respect of its objectives and its risk profile, you should seek independent financial advice. * Details of how the Financial Services Compensation Scheme applies to investment firms can be found at fscs.org.uk.