A five and a-half-year tracker bond, the ninth in the World Tracker Bond series from Bank of Ireland Asset Management (BIAM), has just been launched. Linked to the performance of a composite index of markets that includes the US S&P 500, the FT-SE 100, Nikkei 300 and the Dutch, Swiss and French stock exchanges, this bond will pay up to 105 per cent of any growth achieved, with capital fully guaranteed and an average of returns taken over the last year in order to protect accumulated profits from any sharp fall in the markets close to maturity dates.

Withdrawals over the period are not allowed and all profits are subject to 26 per cent DIRT. A minimum £3,000 is required to buy into this bond.

Anyone interested in a tracker bond should always seek independent advice on various trackers and other investment products on the market before making a final decision.