Falling prices can be interesting backdrop for investors willing to research listed structured products – especially if they don’t have an aversion to complex structures that can pay off in a declining market. Sadly, most structured products are designed to make money only if the markets rise. But there is a subclass of products that theoretically produce returns even if share prices fail... 

The size of the average structured note offering in the U.S. grew 26 percent this year as issuers expand distribution channels and investors favor simpler notes. The average sale was $7.82 million through the first five months of 2011, compared with $6.21 million a year earlier, according to data compiled by Bloomberg from prospectuses filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange commission. New...