Barclays launches FTSE 100 Investment Note in time for ISA season

Barclays Stockbrokers has announced the launch of a new capital protected Investment Note to tie in with ISA season. Linked to the performance of the FTSE 100 index it is a six year growth investment designed to produce capital repayment and a return of 140% of any rise in the FTSE 100 index at the end of the term.

The Note is eligible to be held in a Barclays Stockbrokers Self-Select ISA account. It will be listed on the London Stock Exchange and is fully capital protected if held until maturity. For those investors wanting to trade regularly they can open and fund an ISA account and deal via the Barclays Stockbrokers website.

Amy Nauiokas, MD and Head of Barclays Stockbrokers says: “The launch of this note has been timed to target those investors seeking to invest their £7000 ISA allowance and particularly for those investors seeking to protect their capital while still benefiting from any rise in the FTSE 100 index over six years. Our first FTSE Note was very popular at launch and has been our clients’ favorite Investment Note to date. Investment Notes have proved to be appealing to clients looking for efficient access to markets with the added transparency of listed equities and the upside gearing and capital protection of traditional structured products.”

As per previous years, Barclays Stockbrokers is again providing a comprehensive ISA proposition this ISA season. Through opening an ISA with Barclays Stockbrokers, investors have the choice of opting for a self-select or managed account. Dealing charges comprise a flat fee of £7.50 a trade when investors trade online more then ten times a quarter, otherwise its £12 a trade.

With a Self-Select ISA investors have access to over 600 funds through Barclays Funds Market with a maximum initial charge of 1.5%. Barclays Stockbrokers has also introduced includes nine risk and return profile fund baskets which less experienced investors may wish to hold within their ISA. These consist of a grouping of four funds with an asset allocation overlaid; which are effectively mini portfolios which you buy as a unit with Barclays suggested asset allocation.

Amy Nauiokas, MD and Head of Barclays Stockbrokers continues: “Investors are increasingly seeking quick and easy ways to make the most of their ISA allowance and Barclays Stockbrokers is doing this by offering a wide range of fund and sector choices to meet the needs of different investors.”

Next week marks the first week of the offer period for the new Investment Note, during which investors will have access to the product at a fixed price exclusively through Barclays Stockbrokers. When the Notes commence trading on the London Stock Exchange on 20 April 2007, investors will be able to benefit from additional liquidity and flexibility similar to equities. At this point, there will be ten Investment Notes available to trade in the secondary market on the London Stock Exchange. The other Notes include:

Alternative Energy Investment Note
Global Infrastructure Investment Note
FTSE 100 Capital Protected Investment Note
Global Accelerator Investment Note
Nikkei 225 Supertracker Investment Note
Energy-Linked Capital Protected Investment Note
China Supertracker Investment Note
EURO STOXX 50 Capital Protected Investment Note