Structured products in a bear market?

Dear Mr Tan,

I have read your negative comments on structured products. Are these products suitable in a bear market? It offers protection against losses, and the chance to make a gain.

---------------------

REPLY:

If you do not wish to take risk in a bear market, you should invest in government bonds and earn about 3% per year. You can get 15% in 5 years.

If you invest in a structured product, you will get less than 15%, because the expenses to design and market the product can take away about 10% of the capital. This will leave you with a net gain of 5%. As you are speculating on this product, your real gain can be from 0% to perhaps 20% (but the chance of getting a high gain is small).

I am not aware of any situation (including a bear market) where a costly structured product gives value to the investor.