By
Nikita Bundzen Head of North America Fixed Income Department
Updated January 20, 2025
What is a Capital Protection Certificate with Coupon?
A capital protection certificate with a coupon belongs to the category of structured products with capital protection. This type of financial instrument ensures that the investor will be paid the face value on the date of maturity, providing a guarantee for the initial investment.
The investor's income from this certificate is generated through coupon payments while the bond is traded. These coupon payments depend on the changes to the underlying asset price. As the price of the underlying asset fluctuates, the amount of the coupon payments may vary, offering potential for additional gains. This structure allows investors to benefit from market movements while ensuring the safety of their purchase price value.
A capital protection certificate with a coupon is a structured financial product designed to provide both safety and growth potential. It ensures that the investor will receive the face value of the investment upon maturity, which is the guaranteed repayment of the principal amount. This protection is coupled with the opportunity to benefit from price gains in the underlying asset, making it a popular choice among conservative investors looking for a blend of security and growth.
Capital protection certificates with coupons offer a compelling blend of safety and potential returns. By guaranteeing the repayment of the principal and providing opportunities for income through coupon payments, these certificates appeal to investors seeking a conservative yet rewarding investment strategy.
Characteristics
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Minimum Redemption at Expiry. The minimum redemption at expiry is equivalent to the capital protection. This means that at the end of the certificate's term, the investor is guaranteed to receive at least the capital protection amount, ensuring the safety of the initial investment.
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Capital Protection Percentage. Capital protection is defined as a percentage of the nominal value of the certificate. For example, it might be set at 100%, ensuring that the investor will receive the full nominal value at maturity, regardless of the underlying asset's performance.
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Nominal vs. Purchase Price. Capital protection refers to the nominal value only, not the purchase price. This distinction is important as the purchase price may include premiums or other costs, whereas the capital protection guarantees the nominal amount.
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Value Fluctuations. During the certificate's term, the market value of the product may fall below its capital protection level. While capital protection guarantees the nominal value at maturity, the market value may fluctuate based on the performance of the underlying asset and other market conditions.
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Performance-Dependent Coupon Payments. The amount of the coupon payments is dependent on the performance of the underlying asset. If the asset performs well, the coupon payments will be higher, providing an opportunity for further price gains.
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Periodic Coupon Payments. Investors can expect periodic coupon payments throughout the lifetime of the certificate. These payments are made at regular intervals and contribute to the investor's overall income from the investment.
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Lower Profit Opportunity. While capital protection certificates with coupons offer the safety of capital protection, they also present a limited profit opportunity. The potential for gains is typically lower than directly investing in the underlying asset due to the guarantee provided, which limits the participation rate in price gains.
Market Expectation
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Rising Underlying. One key expectation is a rising underlying asset. If the underlying asset's price increases, the investor benefits from price gains, leading to higher coupon payments. This positive performance aligns with the goal of participating in the market upside while ensuring the safety of the initial investment through capital protection. The opportunity for further price gains makes this an attractive scenario for investors seeking growth while maintaining a secure base.
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Sharply Falling Underlying Possible. However, it is also crucial to consider the possibility of a sharply falling underlying asset. In such a scenario, the value of the product may fall below its capital protection level during the certificate's term. Despite this decline, the capital protection guarantees that the investor will receive the nominal value at maturity. This safeguard ensures that the investor's purchase price is protected, even if the market experiences significant downturns. It provides peace of mind that, regardless of short-term volatility, the principal amount will be repaid.
Example
A typical example of a capital protection certificate with a coupon is a five-year certificate linked to a major stock index. The certificate guarantees the investor will receive 100% of the nominal value at maturity, regardless of the index's performance. Throughout the term, the investor receives quarterly coupon payments, which are based on the index's performance. If the index rises, the coupon payments increase, providing price gains. Even if the index falls sharply, the investor's initial purchase price is protected, ensuring the nominal value is repaid at maturity. This blend of safety and potential income makes it an attractive investment for conservative investors.