Barclays Stockbrokers, part of UK bank Barclays, has launched two new FTSE 100 structured products which the firm says are designed for investors seeking exposure to the index, but who – unsure of medium term market movements – want the reassurance of capital protection.

The first product, the Protected 100 Note, has a five-year term and offers a return of two times the rise in the FTSE 100, up to a maximum return of 45 per cent. As such, if the index rises 22.5 per cent investors will receive the maximum return, along with their original investment.

The second product, the FTSE 100 Accelerated Returns Investment Note Issue 4, offers three times the rise in the index over the product’s five-year term, up to a maximum of 75 per cent. Here, the final index level (subject to averaging over the last 12 months) would need to have risen by 25 per cent at maturity for the maximum return to be paid.

“Investor sentiment has remained polarised following significant rallies in the FTSE 100. While some believe we are now in a bull market, and are seeking to benefit from this, others are more cautious. Either fearing a market correction and wanting to be protected from this, or they need the certainty that their capital will be repaid when investing in equity markets. Our two new structured products cater for both these very different targets,” said Barbara-Ann King, head of investments at Barclays Stockbrokers, in a statement.

“We are delighted to be able to cater for the needs of such divergent investors – especially as the maximum returns offered in both products are significantly above the all time high of the FTSE 100. Furthermore, only relatively small increases over the term of the notes are required to achieve this.”