Market-linked GICs are a sort of hybrid investment vehicle: part GIC, part stock market investment. They protect the investor’s principal investment and offer a minimum guaranteed return with the potential for significantly greater returns (up to a maximum) based on the performance of the market. Think of it as having a stable floor, and potentially a high ceiling. Market-linked GICs usually have a theme to them, such as focusing on an industry, exclusively national, international, emerging-market stocks, or more recently, responsible investing.