Derivatives for the masses

If a hawker outside a Hong Kong mass-transit station offers you an Iron Buddha teabag - have a read of the brochure that goes with it because it may well be about ABN AMRO's latest derivative offering. Yesterday, ABN AMRO launched its "Double-UP Protect Notes" which are designed to allow investors to enjoy twice the return of the underlying stocks in a rising market with an "air-bag protection mechanism" that helps investors reduce the risk of principal loss in a falling market.