CSC-7 Ans
CSC-7 Ans
Reports
Overall Results
Score: Number
Attempt Questions Correct Your Score
24%
1 70 0 0%
2 70 17 24%
Score: Number
Chapter Questions Correct Your Score
24% Chapter 17: Mutual Funds:
Structure and Regulation 10 2 20%
Chapter 18: Mutual Funds:
Types and Features 10 0 0%
Chapter 19: Exchange-
Traded Funds 10 4 40%
Chapter 20: Alternative
Investments: Benefits,
Risks and Structure 10 2 20%
Chapter 21: Alternative
Investments: Strategies
and Performance 10 5 50%
Chapter 22: Other
Managed Products 10 1 10%
Chapter 23: Structured
Products 10 3 30%
Question Results
1. DEC Mutual Fund has an offering price of $78.50 and charges a 4% front-end load. What is the net asset value per share (NAVPS) at the time
of purchase?
A. $81.77.
B. $78.50.
The correct answer is: C. $75.36.
You chose: D. $81.64.
Feedback: The offering price includes the NAVPS plus the fee to purchase the fund. If the offering price is $78.50, the NAVPS must be lower
than that. If $78.50 = NAVPS ÷ (100% - 4%), then NAVPS = $78.50 x (100% - 4%), which works out to NAVPS = $78.50 x 96%. The NAVPS
must be $75.36.
Reference | Chapter 17: Mutual Funds: Structure and Regulation
2. Tan invested $4,000 in the ZEN Mutual Fund. The fund has a management expense ratio of 1.61%, a front-end load of 3%, and a trading
expense ratio of 0.05%. How much is the fee that Tan will pay to the distributor?
A. $184.
The correct answer is: B. $120.
C. $0.
You chose: D. $66.
Feedback: Fee paid to distributor = Amount invested x Front-end load, = $4,000 × 3% = $120.
3. What rule applies to the distribution of mutual funds by financial institutions (FIs)?
A. FIs are strictly prohibited from distributing mutual funds sold by a third party.
B. Full disclosure of dual employment is not required as long as customers of the FI are dealing with a
person registered to sell mutual funds.
C. FIs can sell mutual funds only through affiliated dealers, but dealers do not have to be registered in
every province where securities are sold.
Good choice! D. Dually employed salespersons cannot approve loans to finance mutual fund purchases unless
approved by the FI’s senior lending officer.
Feedback: Conflicts of interest can arise as a result of dual employment (employees of a FI who engage in financial services activities can
also become registered as salespersons). In order to avoid such conflicts, one of the rules requires that dually employed salespersons
cannot approve loans to finance mutual fund purchases, unless such loans are approved by the FI’s senior lending officer.
Reference | Chapter 17: Mutual Funds: Structure and Regulation
4. Which measure represents the total cost of operating a mutual fund as a percentage of its average net assets for the year?
Feedback: The management expense ratio (MER) represents the total of all management fees and other expenses charged to a fund,
expressed as a percentage of the fund’s average net asset value for the year. Trading or brokerage costs are excluded from the MER
calculation because they are included in the cost of purchasing or selling portfolio assets. MER is calculated as follows: Aggregate fees and
expenses payable during the year/Average net asset value for the year x 100.
Reference | Chapter 17: Mutual Funds: Structure and Regulation
5. An investor in a 45% tax bracket buys 100 units of a mutual fund for $20 a unit in a non-registered account. In the same year, he receives
$1.50 per unit in capital gains distributions, and sells the units for $30 a unit. What is the income tax owing for this transaction?
A. $345.00.
B. $388.13.
The correct answer is: C. $258.75.
You chose: D. $517.50.
Feedback: Capital gains receive a special exemption under the Income Tax Act (Canada). Only 50% of any capital gains are subject to tax,
including capital gains distributions. The investor’s capital gain is ($30 - $20 x 100 units) + (1.50 x 100 units) = $1,150. On this, only 50% of
the gain is taxable, and he will pay tax at his marginal rate of 45% on the remaining $575, or an amount of $258.75. Of course, if the investor
had held the funds in his RRSP or other tax-sheltered arrangement, he would have paid no current income taxes on his capital gains. When he
eventually withdraws these funds from the tax-sheltered arrangement, however, he will pay taxes on the full amount of the disposition at his
marginal tax rate, without the benefit of the capital gains treatment.
Reference | Chapter 17: Mutual Funds: Structure and Regulation
6. A fund has the following financial position: Assets: Investments at market value $24,670,000, Receivables $1,230,000; Liabilities: Current
liabilities $6,450,000, Long-term liabilities $3,400,000; Shares outstanding 2,500,000. What is the fund’s net asset value per share (NAVPS)?
A. $9.14.
The correct answer is: B. $6.42.
C. $5.93.
You chose: D. $7.78.
Feedback: NAVPS = (Assets - Liabilities) ÷ Number of Shares Outstanding. NAVPS = ($24,670,000 + $1,230,000) - ($6,450,000 + $3,400,000)
÷ 2,500,000. NAVPS = $16,050,000 ÷ 2,500,000. NAVPS = $6.42.
Reference | Chapter 17: Mutual Funds: Structure and Regulation
7. As of December 31, ABC Mutual Fund has a net asset value of $38,000,000, average net asset value of $34,500,000, and aggregate fees and
expenses of $1,120,000. What is ABC Mutual Fund’s management expense ratio (MER)?
A. 1.12%.
B. 10.14%.
C. 2.95%.
Good choice! D. 3.25%.
Feedback: Management Expense Ratio = (Aggregate Fees and Expenses Payable During the Year ÷ Average Net Asset Value for the Year) ×
100. Management Expense Ratio = ($1,120,000 ÷ $34,500,000) × 100 = 3.25%.
Reference | Chapter 17: Mutual Funds: Structure and Regulation
8. What day’s net asset value per share (NAVPS) will a buyer receive if her order to purchase a no-load mutual fund whose NAVPS is calculated
daily is entered at 2:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday?
Feedback: Depending on the time of day on which the order is entered, the NAVPS may be priced at the end of the current business day or
the end of the next business day. Mutual fund companies specify the time by which a trade must be entered to receive the closing price for
the current business day. The general practice is to price orders entered before 4:00 p.m. ET at the end of the current business day. Orders
received after 4:00 p.m. ET are priced at the end of the next business day.
Reference | Chapter 17: Mutual Funds: Structure and Regulation
9. When must the Fund Facts document be delivered to the client purchasing a mutual fund?
Feedback: Pre-purchase delivery of the Fund Facts document to investors is mandatory for each class or series of mutual funds. It may be
delivered in person, by email, or through other means, according to how the dealer typically interacts with its investors.
Reference | Chapter 17: Mutual Funds: Structure and Regulation
10.When must a mutual fund representative doing business outside Quebec notify the provincial securities administrator of a change in
address?
Feedback: As a mutual fund representative, you must notify the provincial securities administrator within five business days (or 10 days in
Quebec) of any of the following changes in your provincial application:
Change of address
Disciplinary action of a professional body
Personal bankruptcy (Ontario and Quebec)
Criminal charges or civil judgments
Reference | Chapter 17: Mutual Funds: Structure and Regulation
11.An investor purchases $5,000 in mutual fund units. Over a two-year period, the investor receives and reinvests into additional units $1,000
and $125 in dividends. At the end of two years, the total value of the investor’s portfolio rises to $7,225. What is the investor’s adjusted cost
base at that time?
Feedback: The cost base for the units includes the purchases, and also the value of the reinvested dividend. Therefore, the cost based for the
investment would be $6,125 ($5,000 + $125 + $1,000).
Reference | Chapter 18: Mutual Funds: Types and Features
12.An investor currently has $120,000 remaining under a withdrawal plan. He wants to maintain the principal for his estate while still receiving
some cash flow from the plan. What type of withdrawal plan would be appropriate?
Feedback: With a ratio withdrawal plan, the investor receives an annual income from the fund by redeeming a specified percentage of fund
holdings each year. The percentage chosen for redemption usually falls between 4% and 10% a year depending on the amount of income the
investor requires. If, year after year, the investor withdraws a percentage of fund holdings that is close to the fund’s return, the principal may
remain almost untouched for his estate.
Reference | Chapter 18: Mutual Funds: Types and Features
13.Simone has $15,000 invested in a mutual fund. She has set up a withdrawal plan, in which she withdraws 10% at the beginning of each year.
Assuming that the portfolio will grow by a steady 8% per year, what is the value remaining in the portfolio at the end of the second year?
A. $13,500.00.
The correct answer is: B. $14,171.76.
C. $14,246.40.
You chose: D. $14,580.00.
Feedback:
Value at Beginning
of Year Value of Withdrawal Value at End of Year =
(A) (B) (C) (A - B) x 1.08
14. An investor purchases $25,000 in mutual fund units on January 1st. On April 1st, he receives $580 in dividends and reinvests them in
additional units. On July 1st, he purchases an additional $5,000 in units. At the end of the year, the value of his mutual fund units is $31,000.
Assuming no other transactions have occurred, what would his capital gain be if he were to sell his units for $31,000?
A. $210.
B. $5,000.
The correct answer is: C. $420.
You chose: D. $5,420.
Feedback: The cost base for the units includes the purchases, and also the value of the reinvested dividends. Therefore, he would have a
total cost base of $30,580 ($25,000 + $580 + $5,000). If he were to sell his units for $31,000, his capital gain would be $420 ($31,000 -
$30,580).
Reference | Chapter 18: Mutual Funds: Types and Features
15.Joshua has a high level of risk tolerance and wants to purchase a mutual fund offering the highest potential for return. Based solely on the
relationship between risk and return of various types of mutual funds, which fund would be most suitable?
A. Equity fund.
B. Asset allocation fund.
The correct answer is: C. Specialty fund.
You chose: D. Dividend fund.
Feedback: The following ranks mutual funds from lowest return and lowest risk to highest return and highest risk: money market funds;
mortgage funds; bond funds; balanced funds; dividend funds; equity funds; real estate funds; specialty funds.
Reference | Chapter 18: Mutual Funds: Types and Features
16.What type of mutual fund is most suitable for an investor whose main objective is long-term capital growth?
Feedback: The main objective of equity funds is long-term capital growth by investing primarily in the common shares of publicly traded
companies.
Reference | Chapter 18: Mutual Funds: Types and Features
17.How would an index fund’s returns compare to its market benchmark?
Feedback: Because the indexing style is essentially a strategy that mirrors the market, the opportunity to outperform the market is lost.
Another disadvantage is that, after the payment of fees and expenses, index mutual funds return somewhat less than the market benchmark
in the long term.
Reference | Chapter 18: Mutual Funds: Types and Features
18. Marco purchases an equity fund for $15 per unit on January 1st. On June 30th, he receives a distribution of $1 per unit. On December 30th,
he sells his units for $20 each. What tax slip will Marco receive for this tax year and what profit per unit will he realize?
Feedback: Mutual funds can generate taxable income in one of two ways:
Through the distribution of interest income, dividends, and capital gains realized by the fund
Through any capital gains realized when the investor sells the fund
When mutual funds are held outside a registered plan such as a registered retirement savings plan or a registered retirement income fund,
the fund holder is sent either a T3 form (for unitholders) or a T5 form (for shareholders).
Since the investor holds units, the fund must be a mutual fund trust. The investor would therefore receive a T3 form from the fund identifying
any investment distributions that the fund generates. The $1 per unit distribution would be reported on a T3 form because the distribution
was generated by the fund. The sale of units, which resulted in a $5 per unit profit, was not generated by the fund, but in fact was generated
by the investor when he sold the units. Therefore, the $5 per unit profit would not be reported by the fund on the T3 form.
Reference | Chapter 18: Mutual Funds: Types and Features
19. Ishneet invests $5,000 in a fund at $5 per unit and takes advantage of its dividend reinvestment plan. On December 30th, the fund’s net
asset value per share (NAVPS) is $6 and it pays a distribution of $1 per unit. How many units does Ishneet own after the distribution?
Feedback: The reaction of the NAVPS to a distribution of funds is similar to that of a stock the day it begins to trade ex-dividend. The NAVPS
falls by an amount proportionate to the dividend. Because most investors receive their dividends in the form of more units rather than cash,
the net result of the distribution is that the investor owns more units, but the units are each worth less. Ishneet originally purchased 1,000
units (calculated as $5,000 ÷ $5 per unit). When the mutual fund paid a $1 distribution, the NAVPS dropped from $6 per unit to $5 per unit.
Ishneet’s $1,000 distribution (calculated as $1 x 1,000 unit) can purchase an additional 200 shares (calculated as $1,000 ÷ $5 per unit)
Reference | Chapter 18: Mutual Funds: Types and Features
20.What is survivorship bias?
Feedback: Although average returns for a peer group of funds are useful measures, they can reflect survivorship bias. This term describes a
tendency for poorly performing funds to be discontinued or merged. Therefore, average returns of surviving funds may be artificially high
because they do not fully reflect past performance of the entire spectrum of funds.
Reference | Chapter 18: Mutual Funds: Types and Features
21.Rolf, an Investment Advisor (IA), constructs a portfolio for his client Knut using an S&P 500 Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) as a large passive
holding and also smaller holdings in a US small-capitalization equities ETF and a European mid-capitalization equities ETF. What investment
strategy is Rolf using?
Feedback: Rolf is using a core and satellite portfolio construction strategy. Core holdings are typically passive ETF holdings intended to
provide the majority of returns; satellite holdings are more focused on riskier sector ETF holdings. Satellite holdings are used to boost returns
above the core asset returns.
Reference | Chapter 19: Exchange-Traded Funds
A. Buying a call option while owning an equivalent number of shares of the underlying stock.
B. Buying a call option while short selling an equivalent number of shares of the underlying stock.
C. Selling a call option while short selling an equivalent number of shares of the underlying stock.
Good choice! D. Selling call option while owning equivalent number of shares of the underlying stock.
Feedback: A covered call option strategy, also known as a buy-write strategy, is implemented by writing (selling) a call option contract while
owning an equivalent number of shares of the underlying stock.
Reference | Chapter 19: Exchange-Traded Funds
23.What underlying asset is frequently purchased when a manager is using a sampling process in creating an exchange-traded fund (ETF)?
Feedback: Sampling is the process by which the portfolio manager selects securities and their weighting to best match the performance of
the index. This method is typically used to construct portfolios of fixed-income and some international and small cap equity ETFs. The
purpose of sampling with fixed-income ETFs is to achieve an outcome that replicates the performance of a large number of bonds that may
not be accessible in the open markets.
Reference | Chapter 19: Exchange-Traded Funds
24.What benefits do a mutual fund of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have in comparison to investing directly in a passively managed exchange-
traded fund?
1. Pre-authorized contributions.
2. Systematic withdrawal plans.
3. Lower management expense ratios.
4. Advisor compensation is lower.
A. 2 and 3.
B. 1 and 4.
The correct answer is: C. 1 and 2.
You chose: D. 3 and 4.
Feedback: Mutual Funds of ETFs have the benefit of pre-authorized contribution plans (PACs) and systematic withdrawal plans (SWPs).
However, they have higher management expense ratios and a higher advisor compensation rate than buying ETFs directly.
Reference | Chapter 19: Exchange-Traded Funds
25.What is similar for exchange-traded funds (ETF) and exchange-traded notes (ETN)?
Feedback: Both trade on an exchange. Exchange-traded notes (ETNs) do not have tracking error while ETFs do. ETNs face credit risk, while
most ETFs do not. ETNs are not investment funds.
Reference | Chapter 19: Exchange-Traded Funds
26.How are synthetic exchange-traded funds (ETFs) different from other types of ETFs?
Feedback: Synthetic ETFs differ from other types because they do not hold the same underlying exposure as the index they track. These
ETFs are constructed with derivatives, such as swaps, to achieve the return effect of the index. As a result, the exposure of synthetic ETFs is
notional, rather than real.
Reference | Chapter 19: Exchange-Traded Funds
27.What type of exchange-traded fund (ETF) structure attempts to earn a positive return on a day the S&P/TSX Composite declines
substantially?
A. Synthetic ETF.
B. Standard ETF.
C. Covered call ETF.
Good choice! D. Inverse ETF.
Feedback: An inverse ETF is designed to perform inversely to the index or benchmark they track. It seeks to replicate, net of expenses the
inverse daily performance of the index that it tracks.
Reference | Chapter 19: Exchange-Traded Funds
28.What is a key advantage of an investment in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that replicates the S&P 500 index?
Feedback: Index-based ETFs, which make up a large portion of the ETF market, tend to have lower portfolio turnover. Stocks are sold only
when there are changes to the index, which results in fewer realizations of capital gains than other investment products (such as actively
traded mutual funds). Therefore, fewer taxable events allow the capital to compound over time.
Reference | Chapter 19: Exchange-Traded Funds
29.How would a manager use exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to gain quick, diversified exposure to a targeted asset class while instantly exiting
a previous holding?
A. Cash management.
B. Rebalancing.
C. Simplified exposure to a hard to access asset class.
Good choice! D. Tactical asset allocation.
Feedback: Investment managers can use ETFs as a tool to gain quick, diversified exposure to the targeted asset class, while instantly exiting
the previous holding. With today’s vast choice of ETFs, investors and advisors can use them as the primary tool to implement tactical shifts
in a portfolio.
Reference | Chapter 19: Exchange-Traded Funds
30.A Canadian designated broker is buying shares of each security in a Canadian equity index in increments specified by the exchange-traded
fund (ETF) provider in exchange for 50,000 ETF units. What are the units he is receiving?
Feedback: If an ETF is designed to track a particular index, the designated broker buys (or borrows from a securities lender) shares in all of
that index’s component parts, in increments set by the respective ETF company.
Reference | Chapter 19: Exchange-Traded Funds
31.Aryk, a Quebec resident, dies suddenly in a car accident leaving business debts of $250,000, a student loan of $12,000 and a segregated
fund contract that he purchased 3 years previously in the amount of $300,000 that names his mother as beneficiary. How much of the
segregated fund contract can the creditors claim?
A. $250,000.
B. $12,000.
The correct answer is: C. $0.
You chose: D. $262,000.
Feedback: One of the chief benefits of segregated fund contracts is that they are, usually, creditor proof. Aryk’s contract named his mother as
a beneficiary, and, within Quebec, such a beneficiary must receive the full amount of any benefit under the contract, regardless of any claims
by creditors against the contract holder. This is part of why segregated funds contracts are a consideration for those who may be liable for
business debts, and who wish to protect their estate and beneficiaries. If Aryk’s holdings had been in non-segregated fund contracts, the
entire amount would have gone to pay off his debts, leaving his mother with no proceeds.
Reference | Chapter 22: Other Managed Products
32.Jamar bought a segregated fund contract that included a 75% maturity guarantee. At the time of his death, the contract was worth less than
the guaranteed amount of $100,000. How much is the estate entitled to?
Feedback: Segregated funds are differentiated from mutual funds based in part on the availability of a guarantee amount. This guarantee
may be reset, periodically, based on the terms of the initial contract. Specifically, at death, if the value of the contract is less than the
guarantee amount, a death benefit guarantee, separate from the usual maturity guarantee paid at maturity, is made to the estate or
beneficiary as appropriate.
Reference | Chapter 22: Other Managed Products
33.Jacqueline invested a total of $145,000 in the XYZ Segregated Fund and is the beneficiary of the fund. Ten years later, her investment in the
fund is valued at $114,000. If the fund offers the minimum provincial guarantee, how much would she receive if she decides to withdraw her
invested capital?
Feedback: Provincial legislation requires that a guarantee be at least 75% of the invested capital after a ten-year holding period. However,
since the current market value of the fund is greater than the minimum guaranteed amount, Jacqueline will be able to withdraw $114,000.
Reference | Chapter 22: Other Managed Products
34.Eleven years ago, Jean-Luc purchased 100 units in the TNG Segregated Fund, which has a 100% maturity guarantee, at a price of $15 per
unit. One year after purchase, Jean-Luc reset the fund when the net asset value (NAV) per unit was $16.80. At maturity ten years later, Jean-
Luc withdraws his entire segregated fund when the NAV is $14.75. How much will Jean-Luc receive from the issuer? Assume there were no
allocations, commissions or fees.
Feedback: The withdrawal amount is the guaranteed maturity value. In this case, since the market value of the fund is $1,475 and the
guaranteed maturity value is $1,680, the fund issuer pays a maturity guarantee of $205 above the market value.
Reference | Chapter 22: Other Managed Products
35.What is the impact of income allocation on the units and net asset value (NAV) of a segregated fund?
The correct answer is: A. Income is allocated to existing units and the NAV remains unchanged.
B. Income is allocated to existing units and the NAV declines.
C. New units are issued to the unitholders and the NAV declines.
You chose: D. New units are issued to the unitholders and the NAV remains unchanged.
Feedback: With segregated funds, the fund does not suffer a decline in the NAV after an allocation of income. Instead, the segregated fund
contract receives additional income, which is allocated to existing units.
Reference | Chapter 22: Other Managed Products
36.ABC Hedge Fund has $10 million in capital invested in Canadian stocks. Presently, the fund is long $10 million and short $6 million. What is
the net market exposure of the fund?
A. 150% long.
The correct answer is: B. 40% long.
C. 25% long.
You chose: D. 60% long.
Feedback: The fund’s net exposure = (long exposure - short exposure) / capital. In this example, the net exposure = ($10 million - $6 million) /
$10 million or 40%.
Reference | Chapter 21: Alternative Investments: Strategies and Performance
37.Eric purchased a hedge fund in his investment account and shortly thereafter tried to sell it. Eric was unable to sell the fund as it required a
minimum duration for investments placed in the fund. What is the feature of the hedge fund that prevented Eric from selling his fund?
A. Waiting period.
The correct answer is: B. Lock-up period.
C. Holding period.
You chose: D. Cooling-off period.
Feedback: A lock-up period refers to the span of time that initial investments cannot be redeemed from the fund. Once the lock-up period is
over, the investor is free to redeem shares on any liquidity date specified in the offering memorandum.
Reference | Chapter 20: Alternative Investments: Benefits, Risks and Structure
38.Amna is a hedge fund manager who takes significant positions in companies she thinks are about to experience unique situations, such as
mergers and takeovers. What type of hedge fund strategy is Amna utilizing?
Feedback: Event-driven hedge funds seek to profit from unique, particular events such as mergers, acquisitions, stock splits and buybacks.
39.A hedge fund lost $10 million in its first year of operation and gained $15 million in its second year. Assume incentive fees are 10% of profits
and a high watermark applies. How much did the investment manager earn in incentive fees in the first two years?
A. $250,000.
B. $0.
C. $700,000.
Good choice! D. $500,000.
Feedback: In addition to management and administration fees, hedge fund managers often charge an incentive fee based on performance.
Incentive fees are usually calculated after the deduction of management fees and expenses and not on the gross return earned by the
manager. This detail can make a significant difference in the net return earned by investors. The calculation of incentive fees can be subject
to a high-water mark, a hurdle rate, or both. ($15 million - $10 million) x 10% = $500,000.
Reference | Chapter 20: Alternative Investments: Benefits, Risks and Structure
40.Lucie has a portfolio worth $1.2 million with $800,000 in a non-registered account and $400,000 in a registered retirement savings plan
(RRSP). Her income in each of the last two years was $190,000, and she expects to earn about $195,000 this year. Is Lucie considered an
accredited investor, and if not, why not?
A. No, because the value of her non-registered investments is less than $1 million.
B. No, because her income in each of the last two years was less than $200,000.
C. No, because she expects to earn less than $200,000 this year.
Good choice! D. Yes.
Feedback: The accredited investor exemption allows hedge funds to be sold without a prospectus to institutions and individuals who are
considered accredited investors. Individuals must beneficially own (alone or with a spouse) financial assets having an aggregate realizable
value (before taxes, but net of any related liabilities) exceeding $1 million. Individuals may also be accredited investors if they have net
income before taxes exceeding $200,000 (or $300,000 if combined with a spouse’s income) in each of the two most recent years, and a
reasonable expectation of exceeding the same net income level in the current year.
Reference | Chapter 20: Alternative Investments: Benefits, Risks and Structure
41.If interest rates will be rising in the next six months to two years, what mortgage-backed securities (MBS) would be most appropriate for an
elderly retiree in a low tax bracket who is relying primarily on investment income for cash flow?
Feedback: In an open NHA MBS, the owners of the underlying properties can prepay the principal. Therefore, the return and pricing of open
MBS is somewhat uncertain because of the unsteady or predictable cash flow. Since prepayment of principal is not allowed with closed NHA
MBS, cash flows and pricing are more certain than with open mortgage pools. Longer term to maturity bonds have greater interest rate risk
than shorter term to maturity bonds. Thus, the lowest risk investment, and the one most likely to ensure a constant and predictable cash
flow, would be the short-term closed pool MBS.
Reference | Chapter 23: Structured Products
42.Simon invests $5,000 in a principal-protected note (PPN). The PPN return will be determined by calculating the effective average of the
underlying common shares, and the maximum return attributed to any one share is 35%. What type of PPN has Simon purchased?
Feedback: A stock basket-linked PPN is linked to the average return on a basket of common shares, and in most cases the average return on
each individual share is capped at a pre-set amount.
Reference | Chapter 23: Structured Products
43.What is the approximate return on a 6-year XYZ market-linked guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) that has a 25% cap rate in a year
where the relevant index had an initial index level of 9,700 and an ending index level of 14,000?
A. 11.08%.
The correct answer is: B. 25.00%.
C. 44.33%.
You chose: D. 31.00%.
Feedback: The first step is to calculate the index growth, which is calculated as Index Growth = (Ending Index Level - Initial Index Level) /
Initial Index Level x 100. In this example, (14,000 - 9,700)/9,700 x 100 = 44.33%. The overall return is capped at a maximum return of 25%.
Since the rate of return on the index exceeds the cap rate, the investor’s return would be limited to 25%.
Reference | Chapter 23: Structured Products
44.Parmida is asked by a client to identify a security that he has heard a co-worker discuss as part of her portfolio. The security is described as
allowing an easy and low-risk way to invest in mortgages, without having to own mortgages directly. What security is your client’s co-worker
likely holding?
A. Securitized Debt.
B. First Mortgage Bond.
C. Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).
Good choice! D. Mortgage Backed Security (MBS).
Feedback: A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) consolidates the capital of a large number of investors in order to invest in and manage a
portfolio of real estate. This is a relatively easy way to participate in the real estate market – but not the mortgage market. First Mortgage
Bonds are securities issued by corporations. The Mortgage in the title refers to the fact that the bonds are secured by actual assets.
Securitized Debt is a general term used to refer to the process of converting loans of various sorts into marketable securities by packaging
the loans into pools. Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) are a type of securitized debt. Pools of residential mortgages are grouped together
and resold to institutional and private investors. They trade in the secondary market, although they are not particularly liquid. They are
considered to be fairly low risk, as The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation guarantee most MBS.
Reference | Chapter 23: Structured Products
45.The ABC index-linked guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) matured when the ending index level was 12,554. What is the approximate
overall return if the initial index level was 9,225 and the maximum cap on returns is 25%?
46.Harvey considers himself to have a high-risk tolerance and a high-return expectation. He is interested in purchasing an Asset Backed
Security (ABS). Which tranche would be most suitable for this investor?
Feedback: The standard securitization scheme for an ABS generally has a 3-tier tranche hierarchy: Senior, Mezzanine and Junior. The senior
tranche has the least amount of credit loss risk associated with it and attracts the most credit-sensitive type of investor. The junior tranche,
normally the smallest of the three tranches, has the greatest amount of credit risk and attracts a somewhat smaller group of investors who
are more comfortable in assessing and taking more risk in the ABS. This tranche, however, anticipates a higher rate of return than investors
in the other ABS tranches.
Reference | Chapter 23: Structured Products
47.An investor earns $10,000 in income over the 5-year life of an index-linked guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) in a non-registered
account. Assuming he is in a 26% marginal tax bracket, how much income tax is owed in the year of maturity?
Feedback: The return on index linked GICs is classified as interest income. If the instrument is purchased outside of a registered retirement
savings plan, the gains will be added to income and taxed at the investor’s marginal tax rate. And because the return is deferred to the
maturity of the GIC, the interest income realized (if any) is all taxed in the year of maturity. In this example, $10,000 x 26% = $2,600.
Reference | Chapter 23: Structured Products
48.The common shares of NFR Inc. increase sharply in price from the time of original issue to the time of wind-up of a split-share arrangement.
What stakeholders other than investors in the common shares themselves benefit from this transaction?
Feedback: Split shares are issued for a specific term stated in the prospectus; at the end of the term the split-share company will redeem the
shares. At that point, once the owners of the preferred shares have received back their principal investment and once other obligations have
been paid, the capital shares receive the remaining value. In this example, the capital shares will benefit from receiving the increase in value
from the initial price of the common share. NFR Corporation will not benefit, as there is no additional flow of funds to the Corporation
resulting from the windup.
Reference | Chapter 23: Structured Products
49.What would the issuer of an index-linked principal-protected note (PPN) invest in to provide both a guarantee of principal and a return that
mimics the S&P/TSX 60?
A. Primarily in a T-bill and remainder in a basket of stocks which make up the S&P/TSX 60.
The correct answer is: B. Primarily in a zero-coupon bond and remainder in an option on the S&P/TSX 60.
C. Half in a market-linked guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) and half in an exchange-traded fund
(ETF) that tracks the S&P/TSX 60.
You chose: D. Entirely in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks the S&P/TSX 60.
Feedback: In Canada today, PPN issuers use a structure known as the zero-coupon bond plus option structure. In this structure, the issuer
invests most of the proceeds in a zero-coupon bond that has the same maturity as the PPN. The zero-coupon bond guarantees the return of
principal at maturity. The remainder of the proceeds is invested in an option on the underlying asset.
Reference | Chapter 23: Structured Products
50.Your client Seyone invests in a stock basket-linked principal-protected note (PPN) based on a basket of five common shares in which the
performance of any one share is capped at 30%. Given the table below, what is Seyone’s overall return?
Common Share Starting Price Ending Price Return
A. 21%.
The correct answer is: B. 17%.
C. 25%.
You chose: D. 20%.
Feedback: The overall return on Seyone’s PPN is equal to the average of the effective returns, which is calculated as follows:
Effective Return Average = (25% + 20% -20% + 30% + 30%) ÷ 5 = 17%
Reference | Chapter 23: Structured Products
1. Liquidity risk.
2. Counterparty risk.
3. Currency risk.
4. Interest rate risk.
A. 1 and 3.
The correct answer is: B. 1 and 2.
C. 2 and 4.
You chose: D. 3 and 4.
Feedback: Second-order risks include liquidity, leverage, deal break, default, counterparty, trading, concentration, pricing model, and trading
model risks.
Reference | Chapter 20: Alternative Investments: Benefits, Risks and Structure
A. Event-driven strategies.
The correct answer is: B. Directional strategies.
C. Relative value strategies.
You chose: D. Merger or risk arbitrage strategies.
Feedback: First-order risk does not affect relative value strategies or event-driven strategies to any significant degree. It does, however, affect
directional strategies, which, by definition, are based on an alternative strategy fund manager’s views about the direction of different markets,
interest rates, commodity prices, and currencies.
Reference | Chapter 20: Alternative Investments: Benefits, Risks and Structure
53.What benefit does alternative mutual funds provide to retail investors?
Feedback: Before the advent of alternative mutual funds, access to alternative investment strategies was restricted to a small segment of
the investing public.
Reference | Chapter 20: Alternative Investments: Benefits, Risks and Structure
Feedback: Like stocks and ETFs, closed-end funds are listed and trade on stock exchanges.
55.How do the investment objectives of conventional mutual funds, liquid alts, and hedge funds compare?
A. Liquid alts seek to maximize relative returns while mutual funds and hedge funds seek to maximize
absolute returns.
The correct answer is: B. Mutual funds seek to maximize relative returns while liquid alts and hedge funds seek to maximize
absolute returns.
C. Mutual funds seek to maximize absolute returns while liquid alts and hedge funds seek to maximize
relative returns.
You chose: D. Liquid alts and mutual funds seek to maximize relative returns while hedge funds seek to maximize
absolute returns.
Feedback: Mutual funds seek to maximize relative returns – a mutual fund could produce a loss but is considered to have performed well if
their loss is lower than comparable mutual funds or the benchmark. Alternative mutual funds and hedge funds seek to earn a positive return
in any type of market environment.
Reference | Chapter 20: Alternative Investments: Benefits, Risks and Structure
56.How does product redemption compare between conventional mutual funds, liquid alts, and hedge funds?
A. Mutual fund redemptions take place daily while liquid alts and hedge funds usually take place
monthly.
B. Hedge fund redemptions take place daily while mutual funds and liquid alts usually take place
monthly.
The correct answer is: C. Liquid alts and mutual fund redemptions usually take place daily while hedge funds usually take
place monthly.
You chose: D. Mutual funds and hedge fund redemptions take place daily while liquid alts usually take place
monthly.
Feedback: An aspect that conventional mutual funds and alternative mutual funds share is the frequency of NAV calculation and the
frequency with which redemptions can occur.
Reference | Chapter 20: Alternative Investments: Benefits, Risks and Structure
57.If returns are normally distributed, approximately what percentage of all returns fall within one standard deviation of the average return?
A. 95%.
B. 32%.
The correct answer is: C. 68%.
You chose: D. 99%.
Feedback: If returns are normally distributed, approximately 68% of all returns lie within one standard deviation of the average or expected
return.
Reference | Chapter 21: Alternative Investments: Strategies and Performance
58.What measures excess returns generated above the risk-free rate per unit of risk as measured by the standard deviation?
A. Leverage.
B. Alpha.
C. Standard deviation.
Good choice! D. Sharpe ratio.
Feedback: The Sharpe ratio measures excess returns generated above the risk-free rate per unit of risk as measured by the standard
deviation. It can be used to compare the returns across various investments and to distinguish between returns obtained at various levels of
risk.
Reference | Chapter 21: Alternative Investments: Strategies and Performance
59.When does the standard deviation of returns best measure the variability of returns around the average return?
Feedback: The standard deviation gives a good indication of the dispersion of returns only when returns are approximately normally
distributed. A return distribution is a graphical depiction of the potential returns plotted against their probability of occurrence. The normal
distribution is the familiar bell-shaped curve.
Reference | Chapter 21: Alternative Investments: Strategies and Performance
60.Which alternative investment strategy would a manager with a relative value strategy mandate use?
A. Global macro.
B. Distressed securities.
C. High-yield bonds.
Good choice! D. Convertible arbitrage.
Feedback: The convertible arbitrage strategy is an example of a relative value strategy. Global macro is an example of a directional strategy,
while distressed securities and high yield bonds are examples of event-driven strategies.
Reference | Chapter 21: Alternative Investments: Strategies and Performance
61.How does a manager choose the pair of securities that will be used in an equity-market neutral strategy?
The correct answer is: A. Degree of similarity between business activities of the companies.
B. Theoretical value of underlying stock.
C. Market capitalization.
You chose: D. Credit risk of security under consideration.
Feedback: The decision as to which two securities will make up the pair in an equity-market neutral strategy is based on the degree of
similarity between the business activities of the two companies. Typically, the companies would be head-to-head competitors with very
similar business strategies.
Reference | Chapter 21: Alternative Investments: Strategies and Performance
62.Li executes a convertible arbitrage strategy by shorting ABC common stock for proceeds of $950.00 and purchasing ABC convertible bonds
for a cost of $1,150. Li reverses the trade 3 months later, selling the bond for proceeds of $1,175 and buying back the shares for $965.00.
What is the profit or loss on the trade?
A. $25 profit.
B. $15 loss.
C. $35 profit.
Good choice! D. $10 profit.
Feedback: Li received $950 for the shorted common stocks and paid out $1,150 for the convertible bonds for a net outlay of $1,150 - $950 =
$200. She later sells the bonds for $1,175 and buys the shares for $965, for a net gain of $1,175 - 965 = $210. $210 - $200 from the net cost
of the original trade = $10 in profit.
Reference | Chapter 21: Alternative Investments: Strategies and Performance
Feedback: In regard to the risks associated with multi-strategy funds, each underlying strategy is exposed to specific risks. Multi-strategy
funds can have the benefits of reduced volatility, and decreased security-specific risks. With more strategies that are brought on by the
manager, the less time the manager will have to monitor the securities held in each strategy and market movements at large.
Reference | Chapter 21: Alternative Investments: Strategies and Performance
Feedback: Kurtosis measures the tendency of a return distribution either to have values that collect around the average of all returns or to
have values that collect toward the tails of the distribution.
Reference | Chapter 21: Alternative Investments: Strategies and Performance
65.Alice identifies the DEF fund average annual return to be 4.2% with a normal distribution and a standard deviation of 3.4%. What would
Alice’s expectations be for the fund if the return falls within two standard deviations of the average annual return?
Feedback: 4.2% (average return) + 3.4% (one standard deviation) + 3.4% (one standard deviation) = 11.0%.
A. CIRO.
The correct answer is: B. Provincial insurance regulators.
C. Federal insurance regulators.
You chose: D. Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions.
Feedback: Segregated funds are insurance contracts, known as individual variable insurance contracts, between a contract holder and an
insurance company. For that reason, they are regulated by provincial insurance regulators.
Reference | Chapter 22: Other Managed Products
67.What is assigned to investors by segregated funds to measure a contract holder’s participation in, and benefits from, a fund?
Feedback: Because of their legal structure, segregated funds do not issue actual units or shares to investors, because doing so would imply
ownership. Instead, an investor is assigned notional units of the contract – a concept that measures a contract holder’s participation in and
benefits from a fund.
Reference | Chapter 22: Other Managed Products
68.Rejean, who is purchasing a segregated fund, wishes to have the flexibility to change his beneficiary designation at a later date. What type of
feature should he include in his segregated fund contract?
Feedback: The beneficiary is the person or persons who will receive the benefits payable under the contract upon the death of the annuitant.
A revocable designation allows the contract holder to alter or revoke the beneficiary’s status.
Reference | Chapter 22: Other Managed Products
A. Quarterly.
B. Weekly.
The correct answer is: C. Monthly.
You chose: D. Daily.
Feedback: A segregated fund, although it is often valued daily, must be valued at least monthly.
Feedback: Funds that have the flexibility to buy back their outstanding shares periodically are known as interval funds or closed-end
discretionary funds.
Reference | Chapter 22: Other Managed Products