Press Release

Macquarie Specialist Investments launches Macquarie Step

Sydney, 14 November 2011

Macquarie Specialist Investments today announced the launch of its new investment solution – Macquarie Step.

Developed with current market volatility in mind, Macquarie Step has been designed for investors who are currently invested in cash because of uncertain markets and may now be looking for the potential to receive improved returns.

Offering investors access to sharemarket growth opportunities and 100 per cent capital protection at maturity, Macquarie Step features regular investment offers throughout the year with a series of underlying exposures over a two or three year term. Designed as a low maintenance investment solution, Macquarie Step features no ongoing management fees and no loan or borrowing. With Macquarie Step, investors are not required to make interest payments and are able to use their own capital to invest.

“Recent volatility and uncertainty in the market has left many investors facing the dilemma of knowing that while an investment in the sharemarket may deliver higher returns, it may also increase the risk of them losing their capital. Many of our clients are now looking for new investment solutions which allow them to use their own capital, without the need for borrowing, providing them with market exposure and the benefits of capital protection at maturity and portfolio diversification” says Peter van der Westhuyzen, Executive Director and Head of Macquarie Specialist Investments.

“Cash may not be a suitable investment in all market scenarios. Investors who have cash earmarked for equity markets and are waiting for the right time to move risk missing out on the turning point in the market” said van der Westhuyzen.

“Macquarie Step may be an ideal investment for investors who remain cautious about the sharemarket and are still heavily invested in cash, but at the same time are concerned that their portfolio is under-diversified”, says van der Westhuyzen.
The current offer of Macquarie Step (Series I – III) provides investors with exposure to a range of potential growth assets linked to a choice of Australian and international markets. This includes Australian equities, a diversified basket of Asian equities and the PIMCO Total Return Bond Fund.

With a minimum investment of $20,000, Macquarie Step is available to individuals, Self Managed Superannuation Funds, Trustees and Companies. It is particularly suitable for those investors who are overweight in cash, apprehensive about the downside risk of investing in shares and who want the benefit of capital protection at maturity.

 

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