CI Investments Inc. announced the launch of CIBC CI M.A.X. deposit notes, series 8, ROC, on Thursday. They offer global diversification, tax-efficient monthly distributions and enhanced growth potential, all under the umbrella of principal protection.

“This note seeks to maximize an investor’s return in several ways. Firstly, monthly distributions are tax-effective returns of capital and, secondly, a new asset allocation methodology seeks to provide high, sustainable exposure to the fund through leverage,” said David R. McBain, CI senior vice president.

“The note offers potential distributions of up to 8.25% per annum, which is the equivalent of 15.39% pre-tax income at the top marginal tax rate in Ontario,” he explained. “With the potential for high tax-efficient distributions and principal protection, investors get a lot of value for a fee that’s just 11 basis points more than the underlying mutual fund.”

A dynamic allocation strategy provides the potential for up to 200% exposure to CI Global High Dividend Advantage Fund. Initial exposure to the fund will be 125%, providing the potential for increased distributions during the term of the deposit notes.

The underlying portfolio — CI Global High Dividend Advantage Fund — is managed by Epoch Investment Partners Inc. of New York, which is led by chief investment officer William Priest. The manager seeks to invest in a well-diversified mix of global dividend-paying companies that enhance shareholder value through cash dividends, stock buybacks and debt reduction. The fund pays monthly distributions with an annual target of $0.60 per unit, which is an annual yield of 5.5% based on the fund’s net asset value at March 31.

Over the term of the deposit notes, exposure will be dynamically allocated between notional units of the fund and notional bonds in accordance with a pre-defined set of portfolio allocation rules. This dynamic allocation strategy is designed to enhance returns when the fund’s performance is positive and reduce volatility when performance is negative. The deposit notes’ new methodology allows for greater exposure levels to the fund while ensuring investors receive at least their principal back by maturity.

Investors will be paid monthly distributions in the form of returns of capital equivalent to 75% of ordinary distributions payable on the fund units, with all other distributions being notionally reinvested in the structure. Any excess at maturity of the net asset value of the deposit notes over the portion of the principal amount that has not been repaid through monthly distributions will be paid to investors by way of a final variable payment on the maturity date.

Although there is no cap on the return on the deposit notes, it is possible that a monthly distribution may not be paid in any month and a final variable payment may not be paid at maturity. The full $100 principal amount per deposit note will be repaid by CIBC by the maturity date regardless of the performance of the fund.

CIBC CI M.A.X. deposit notes, series 8, ROC are 100% eligible for registered plans and are available through most financial advisors until July 6. The issue price is $100 per deposit note, with a minimum investment of $5,000. The complete terms of the offering are set out in the information statement dated April 27, which can be obtained by investors from their advisors.