Blue Sky Asset Management

Blue Sky Asset Management has agreed to a takeover by US investment bank Incapital, in a move to expand its structured product offering.

Blue Sky Asset Management has relaunched its Capital Accumulator Autocall Dual Index plan.

Blue Sky Asset Management has launched two structured products designed to achieve returns even if equity markets fail to rise.

Blue Sky has launched an ‘absolute return' plan offering a potential payout of 75% at the end of its six-year term.

Some of the UK's leading alternative asset providers will take part in a mock trial next month, charged with convincing advisers of the merits of investing in asset classes apart from shares, bonds or cash.

Structured products have seen a surge in popularity this year due to the industry's prompt reaction in clarifying counterparty risk following the Lehman bankruptcy, plan providers say.

David Brunning, director of IFA Brunning Newman Houghton (BNH), says the firm is seriously considering launching a separate structured products business to market the vehicles to clients without advice.

Interactive Financial Adviser

The abrupt falls of both Lehman Brothers and HBOS have highlighted the shortcomings of the credit rating system, providers warn.

IMA chairman Robert Jenkins has reignited the trade body's attack against structured products, questioning whether regulators are "asleep" on tackling the industry.