What is Digital Coupon Note: An Investment Guide to Participating Structured Products with Risk Disclosure
2024-05-29 15:15uSMART

What is a Digital Coupon Note?
A Digital Coupon Note (“DCN”) is a participation-type structured product which pays out a fixed amount of coupon if the coupon condition is fulfilled at maturity. The DCN is normally linked to the performance of a stock, ETF, equity index, or commodity.

 

Key Features
●The tenor period is at least 1 month or above (negotiable with issuer).
●The note is normally issued at par. There is no coupon payment during the life of the transaction.
●Investors will receive 100% of the notional amount plus a fixed amount of coupon if the price of the underlying asset closes at or above the strike price on the final valuation date.
●If the price of the underlying asset closes below the strike price on the final valuation date, investors will receive physical delivery of the underlying asset at the strike price where physical settlement is applicable to that underlying asset. No coupon will be paid in this situation.

 

Payoff Illustration
Investor should note that the below example is prepared for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an offer or solicitation of any investment.

Sample Product Terms
Notional amount $1,000,000
Tenor 6 months
Currency USD
Digital coupon 18% flat
Underlying asset Stock A
Initial fixing $100
Strike price (90% of initial fixing level) $90

 

Scenario 1: Closing Price of the Underlying Asset ≥ Strike Price (At Final Valuation Date):

Performance of the Underlying Asset

 

Final Fixing

Performance

Stock A

$105

($105 / $100 = 105%)

 

For Cash Settlement
The investor shall receive in cash the notional amount plus the digital coupon on the maturity date:

Notional amount x (100% + Digital Coupon)
= $1,000,000 x (100% + 18%)
= $1,180,000

 

Scenario 2: Closing Price of the Underlying Asset < Strike Price (At Final Valuation Date):

Performance of the Underlying Asset

 

Final Fixing

Performance

Stock A

$85

($85 / $100 = 85%)

 

For Physical Delivery Settlement
Given the underlying asset is Stock A, the number shares of Stock A to be delivered:
= Notional amount / strike price
= $1,000,000 / $90
= 11,111 shares plus fractional shares in cash

For Cash Settlement
Given the Stock A is closed at $85, the cash amount to be received:
= Notional amount x (final fixing / strike price)
= $1,000,000 x ($85 / $90)
= $944,444.44 (a realized capital loss would be $55,555.56 against the notional amount)

 

Scenario 3: Worst Case Scenario
Under the worst-case scenario, the investor may lose all of his/her initial invested amount in the event of the issuer’s default, or the value of the underlying asset drops to zero.

 

Disclosure of Risk Factors
DCN may involve some or all of the following risks:
●Issuer’s credit risk
●Market risk
●Interest rate risk
●Foreign exchange risk
●Reinvestment risk
●Liquidity risk
●Limited secondary market

 

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Important Notice and Disclaimer:

We have based this article on our internal research and information available to the public from sources we believe to be reliable. While we have taken all reasonable care in preparing this article, we do not represent the information contained in this article is accurate or complete and we accept no responsibility for errors of fact or for any opinion expressed in this article. Opinions, projections and estimates reflect our assessments as of the article date and are subject to change. We have no obligation to notify you or anyone of any such change. You must make your own independent judgment with respect to any matter contained in this article. Neither we or our respective directors, officers or employees will be responsible for any losses or damages which any person may suffer or incur as a result of relying upon anything stated or omitted from this article.

This document should not be construed in any jurisdiction as constituting an offer, solicitation, recommendation, inducement, endorsement, opinion, or guarantee to purchase, sell, or trade any securities, financial products, or instruments or to engage in any investment or any transaction of any kind, nor is there any intention to solicit or invite the purchase or sale of any securities.

The value of these securities and the income from them may fall or rise. Your investment is subject to investment risk, including loss of income and capital invested. Past performance figures as well as any projection or forecast used in this article is not indicative of its future performance.

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