Using Structured Annuities to Hedge Against the Ups and Downs of the Stock Market

“Maintain a level of protection in down markets – while taking advantage of growth opportunities in up markets.” (The crux of marketing of Structured Annuities, according to Brighthouse.)

The objective of pretty much every investor is downside protection with upside participation, which is the goal of structured annuities, one of the fastest growing segments of annuities with over $9 billion of annual issuance.[i] Structured annuities are a bridge of sorts between fixed indexed annuities, which provide full downside protection though with anemic upside potential and variable annuities, which do not provide any defined level of protection but offer full potential upside.

One of the most popular elements of the product is the ability to provide a defined outcome at maturity. For example, if a client purchases a three-year segment on the S&P 500 with a 10% buffer and a 33% cap, the exact payout they will receive in three years can easily be calculated. For instance, if the S&P 500 price return declines by less than 10% they will receive their full principal back. If the S&P 500 price return declines 25%, they will incur a loss of 15%, materially outperforming the market. Conversely, the client will participate 1 for 1 on the upside up to that 33% cap net of any segment fees though not inclusive of the underlying product dividend. The product is a nice approach in aligning one’s risk/reward profile with a market exposure fully defining potential loss and gain at a distinct future point in time.

The issuer can provide these exposures using equity options on the underlying securities (e.g., S&P 500 options). In the example below, the issuer is selling a three-year downside put 10% below the spot level of the S&P 500 at time of the segment issuance. A put provides the right to the holder to sell the S&P 500 at the strike level (10% below spot) at maturity. If the S&P 500 is above the put strike level at maturity the holder will allow the put to expire. If the S&P 500 is below that strike level, the holder of the put will exercise his option resulting in a loss for the put seller. Upside participation for the strategy is created by using a call spread, which includes going long a call at the current level of the S&P 500 and selling a call up above – the cap.

Buffered Structured Annuity (Buffer) Payout at Maturity Versus the S&P 500 Price Return

Hypothetical prices of the components that make up a segment of these sort of annuities.

1 Year 3 Year 5 Year
Zero Coupon Bond 97.8% 92.9% 87.3%
Less Fee @ 1.5% Annual 1.5% 4.5% 7.5%
Total value 99.3% 97.4% 94.8%
Plus credit from SELL of 10% OTM Put 2.9% 6.8% 10.8%
Total value 96.3% 90.5% 84.0%
Less Cost of BUY of ATM Call 6.6% 11.3% 14.8%
Total value 102.9% 101.8% 98.8%
CAP Level Needed to Equal 100% 8.3% 33.7% NO CAP

In the example above, the zero-coupon bond grows quicker than the fees allowing for more to spend as duration extends. Additionally, the option portfolios become relatively cheaper over time allowing for seemingly much better characteristics the longer the duration. One should note though that a five-year 10% buffer does not provide much protection given the owner of the segment does not receive dividends. The owner is simply trading in the dividend for a buffer – some food for thought.

Please watch our upcoming two-part video series Looking Under the Hood of Structured Note Annuities on www.Catalyst-Insights.com for a more in-depth explanation on how these products are constructed, the benefits and detriments, and a competitive analysis between two different terms to best understand risks and reward in context of time.

[1] Investment News, “Buffer annuities grow in popularity,” Greg Iacurci, Feb. 13, 2019.

Latest

Navigating the Rate Cut: A Guide for Advisors

Introduction The ongoing Federal Reserve cycle has sparked intense debate...

My 50-Cents – Fed Analysis from Leland Abrams of Wynkoop, LLC

The Federal Reserve Board cut their benchmark rate this...

A Summer Surge: August 2024 HANDLS Monthly Report

After a challenging July that saw investors sell off high-flying technology stocks, buyers returned to the market in August, bidding up risk assets across the board.

Where are the Hidden Risks in Your Portfolio Currently? Plus, an idea.

Allocators add new exposures for a variety of reasons; diversification, returns, risk mitigation, etc. Understanding this, what is the most over-owned and expensive sector today?

Newsletter

Don't miss

Navigating the Rate Cut: A Guide for Advisors

Introduction The ongoing Federal Reserve cycle has sparked intense debate...

My 50-Cents – Fed Analysis from Leland Abrams of Wynkoop, LLC

The Federal Reserve Board cut their benchmark rate this...

A Summer Surge: August 2024 HANDLS Monthly Report

After a challenging July that saw investors sell off high-flying technology stocks, buyers returned to the market in August, bidding up risk assets across the board.

Where are the Hidden Risks in Your Portfolio Currently? Plus, an idea.

Allocators add new exposures for a variety of reasons; diversification, returns, risk mitigation, etc. Understanding this, what is the most over-owned and expensive sector today?

Consumer Spending: Are Consumers Tapped Out or Pushing Back?

Consumer Spending: Are Consumers Tapped Out or Pushing Back?  Key...
Joe Halpern, Portfolio Manager
Joe Halpern, Portfolio Manager
Joseph (Joe) Halpern is Portfolio Manager of a defined outcome strategy at Catalyst Funds. Mr. Halpern has structured, priced, and traded billions of dollars in structured products, exotic derivatives, and listed vanilla options. Additionally, he has managed trading groups, supervised risk management, and participated in executive-level, firm-wide strategic initiatives for several leading financial institutions. In 2012, Mr. Halpern founded Exceed Holdings, LLC, an investment holding company focused on developing next-generation structured investments. The Exceed entities are collectively referred to by the brand name Exceed Investments.

Navigating the Rate Cut: A Guide for Advisors

Introduction The ongoing Federal Reserve cycle has sparked intense debate regarding its resemblance to the 2007 and 1998 financial crises. While a definitive answer remains...

My 50-Cents – Fed Analysis from Leland Abrams of Wynkoop, LLC

The Federal Reserve Board cut their benchmark rate this week by 50 bps to a new range of 4.75% - 5.00%.  They indicated this...

A Summer Surge: August 2024 HANDLS Monthly Report

After a challenging July that saw investors sell off high-flying technology stocks, buyers returned to the market in August, bidding up risk assets across the board.