Retrospective analysis: Credit Suisse's S&P 500 accelerated growth product

A maximum return of 20% was on offer from an accelerated growth product that Credit Suisse issued in May 2009. The maximum return of 20% over the 18-month term was easily achieved due to the five times gearing.

Credit Suisse produced an 18-month accelerated growth product that was first reviewed in the May 2009 issue of Structured Products. The product is linked to the S&P 500 index and offers returns equal to five times the rise in the index up to a cap of 20%. Principal is at risk if the index finishes below the buffer.

On the product’s strike date, the closing level of the S&P 500 index was 797.87, while the index closing level on August 30 (one month before the final market reading date) was 1,048