7 Indirect investments Flashcards
Who classifies unit trusts & OEICs?
The Investment Association (IA)
Where are the rules for unit trusts & OEICs?
FCA sourcebook COLL (Collective Investment Schemes)
Trustees/directors must ensure markets are:
- Liquid
- Operating regularly
- Regulated
- Recognised (e.g. by statutory body or government agency)
- Open to the public
What size single holding may UCITS non-tracker funds have?
Up to 4 at 10%, and no others may exceed 5%
What size single holding may UCITS tracker funds have?
20%, or 35% in exceptional circumstances
What proportion of a company/group’s securities may a UCITS fund hold?
20%
A single gilt issue must not make up more than __ of a fund’s value.
30%
How much may UCITS funds invest in other collective schemes?
20%
How much may non-UCITS funds invest in other collective schemes?
35%
How much may UCITS funds invest in unapproved/unlisted securities?
10%
How much may non-UCITS funds invest in unapproved/unlisted securities?
20%
How much dividend income is tax-free?
£2,000
How much tax do basic-rate taxpayers pay on dividends?
8.75%
How much tax do higher-rate taxpayers pay on dividends?
33.75%
How much tax do additional-rate taxpayers pay on dividends?
39.35%
What is a personal savings allowance (PSA)?
Tax-free interest income
What is the personal savings allowance for a basic-rate taxpayer?
£1,000
What is the personal savings allowance for a higher-rate taxpayer?
£500
What is the personal savings allowance for an additional-rate taxpayer?
None
What is the annual exempt amount for capital gains tax?
£12,300
To qualify for an IA sector, how much must generally be invested in the relevant asset class?
80%
To qualify as an income fund, what yield must a fund achieve?
90% of the relevant index annually
What does UCITS stand for?
Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities
What is the limit on funds holding warrants?
None
What is the regulatory limit on funds holding cash?
None
Why might a fund hold cash?
Liquidity and cash flow
In practice, how much of a fund is typically held in cash?
Around 5%
How much may a retail UCITS scheme borrow on a permanent basis for gearing purposes?
None; gearing is not allowed for retail UCITS schemes
How much may a UCITS scheme borrow temporarily against known future cash flow, such as dividends?
10% of its value
How much may a non-retail UCITS scheme borrow on a permanent basis for gearing purposes?
10% of its value
How much may a QIS borrow?
100% of its value
What does AIF stand for?
Alternative investment fund
What are examples of AIFs?
Hedge funds and private equity funds
If gilts make up more than __ of a fund’s value, these holdings must consist of at least __ different issues.
35% / 6
What does QIS stand for?
Qualified investor scheme
Where are the rules for AIFs?
FCA sourcebook FUND (investment funds)
What does UCIS stand for?
Unregulated collective investment scheme
May a NMPI be marketed to retail investors?
No
What does NMPI stand for?
Non-mainstream pooled investment
What are examples of NMPIs?
- UCIS
- QIS
- Traded life policy investments
- SPV securities with underlying investments other than shares/bonds
What does SPV stand for?
Special purpose vehicle
What does AIFMD stand for?
Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive
Unit trust trustees are typically…
Large banks or insurance companies
Who arranges audits of a unit trust and issues financial statements to unitholders?
The trustee
Who arranges unitholder meetings?
The trustee
Who is responsible for registering unitholders and issuing certificates?
The trustee, though they will often delegate to the manager
Who distributes income to unitholders?
The trustee
Who manages a unit trust’s assets?
The manager
What is a typical management fee for a unit trust?
0.5% - 1.5%
Who is responsible for promoting and advertising a unit trust?
The manager
Who is responsible for a unit trust’s administration?
The manager
A unit trust’s register must contain:
- Name & address of the unitholder
- Number & type of units they hold
- Date the holder was registered
Are unitholders allowed access to the register?
Yes, free of charge at all times during normal office hours (but trustee may close it for up to 30 days a year)
A unit trust certificate must contain:
- The date
- The name of the scheme
- The names & addresses of the manager & trustee
- The name of the unitholder
- Number & type of units they hold
May unit trust managers issue short form accounts?
Yes, provided full accounts are available to unitholders on request
May a unit trust manager materially alter the trust deed?
Only if approved by a unitholder meeting
May a unit trust manager raise charges?
Yes, with 60 days’ notice
Where are a unit trust’s management fees set out?
In the trust deed
May a trustee remove a unit trust manager?
Yes, with the FCA’s approval, if unitholders are at risk
How much capital gains tax do unit trusts pay?
None
What kind of tax, and how much, do unit trusts pay on income/gains from options & futures?
None
What tax regime applies to unit trusts?
It depends on the composition of investments
What tax, and how much, do unit trusts pay on interest & rental income?
Corporation tax at 20%
What is an equalisation payment?
A partial refund included with a unitholder’s first distribution
What tax applies to an equalisation payment?
None; it is a refund, not income
How much is an equalisation payment?
The income accrued between the last distribution and the date of purchase
How many times per year do unit trusts distribute income?
At least 1, usually 2, sometimes 4, and often 12 for income trusts
To pay dividends, a unit trust must hold…
Less than 60% of its value in interest-bearing investments
What type of tax applies to dividends?
Income tax
What is the tax-free dividend allowance for trustees?
None
To pay interest distributions, a unit trust must hold…
At least 60% of its value in interest-bearing investments
What is the PSA for trustees?
None
If unit trust dividends/interest are reinvested instead of distributed, does the investor pay the same tax?
Yes
For CGT purposes, units held on __ __ ____ have an acquisition cost = their value on that date
31st March 1982
When disposing of units, how do you calculate the acquisiton cost for CGT purposes?
Subtract the equalisation payment from the initial price paid
Does switching between an umbrella fund’s sub-funds count as disposal for CGT purposes?
Yes
What does TEF stand for?
Tax-elected fund
How do TEFs distribute to investors?
Interest & dividends separately, and gross of tax
Why become a TEF?
To shift point of taxation to investor
What happens if a unit trust deducts charges from capital instead of from distributions?
The quoted yield is higher but the capital performance suffers
If a unit trust deducts charges from the capital, it must…
- Include a prominent statement on all documentation
- State the resulting risk to capital growth
Which is more expensive to buy: income or accumulation units?
Accumulation units
What kind of units always reinvest income?
Accumulation units
Are accumulation units better for investors than buying more income units?
Yes, as you may have to pay all/part of the initial charge for new units
When are units most expensive?
Just before distribution
By how much does unit price typically fall after distribution?
The amount of income
How long does the xd period last?
Up to four months
What happens if you sell units during the xd period?
You still get the allocation attributable to the previous period
What proportion of UCITS funds qualify for stocks & shares ISAs?
100%
Do cash funds qualify for cash ISAs?
Yes
Do unit trusts have minimum holding requirements for investors?
Yes, typically £500 or £1,000
Do unit trusts have maximum holding limits for investors?
No
Unit trust savings schemes (often linked to ISAs) typically start at __ to __ per month
£50 - £100
Why would you complete a renunciation form?
To sell unit trust units back to the manager
If you arrange to buy/sell units over the phone, is it legally binding?
Yes
Where & when would a unit trust management group send out a contract note?
To an investor after units are bought or sold
Before executing a purchase, unit trusts must supply investors with…
A KIID (Key Investor Information Document)
After receiving a renunciation form, how long does a unit trust manager have to make payment?
4 days