Barclays Stockbrokers has launched a new investment note linked to the performance of the Dow Jones STOXX 50 index, which measures the value of 50 leading European blue-chip companies. This is a five-year investment designed to produce a potential return of 80 per cent at the end of the term if the index is at least at its starting level. If the index at the end of the term is below its starting level, no return is payable. It also offers 100 per cent repayment of capital at the end of the term provided that the index doesn’t fall below 50 per cent of the initial level but if it does, capital return will be reduced by 1 per cent for every 1 per cent that the final level of the index is below its initial level. The companies include BP, Vodafone, GlaxoSmithkline, HSBC, Telefonica and Rio Tinto.