8. Discuss Investment Basics with a Client (10%) Flashcards
Knowledge will help learner educate clients on investment fundamentals, including asset allocation, risk tolerance, and diversification, to help them make informed decisions that align with their goals and values.
What does the term “asset allocation” mean?
A. Buying stocks only
B. Dividing investments among different asset classes
C. Timing the market
D. Avoiding risk entirely
B. Dividing investments among different asset classes
Asset allocation balances risk and return by diversifying across various asset categories.
What is dollar-cost averaging?
A. Investing a lump sum all at once
B. Investing fixed amounts regularly regardless of price
C. Selling investments during market dips
D. Timing the market for better returns
B. Investing fixed amounts regularly regardless of price
Dollar-cost averaging helps mitigate the impact of market volatility.
What is the Rule of 72 used for?
A. Calculating retirement contributions
B. Estimating the time to double an investment at a fixed rate of return
C. Determining tax liabilities
D. Calculating compounding intervals
B. Estimating the time to double an investment at a fixed rate of return
Divide 72 by the annual interest rate to approximate doubling time.
Which of the following is a passive investment approach?
A. Day trading
B. Index fund investing
C. Stock picking
D. Short selling
B. Index fund investing
Passive investing typically involves replicating an index.
What does a bond’s “coupon rate” indicate?
A. Its market price
B. Its maturity date
C. The annual interest paid to the bondholder
D. Its tax benefits
C. The annual interest paid to the bondholder
The coupon rate specifies the interest income from a bond.
Which investment is generally considered the least risky?
A. Stocks
B. Real estate
C. U.S. Treasury bonds
D. Cryptocurrency
C. U.S. Treasury bonds
Treasury bonds are backed by the U.S. government and are considered very safe.
What is a fiduciary duty?
A. A legal obligation to act in the client’s best interest
B. A financial planning strategy
C. A type of investment account
D. An expense associated with investments
A. A legal obligation to act in the client’s best interest
Fiduciaries must prioritize their clients’ needs over their own.
What is an ETF?
A. Exchange-Traded Fund
B. Equity-Transfer Fund
C. Emerging Tax-Free Fund
D. Estate Transfer Foundation
A. Exchange-Traded Fund
ETFs are investment funds traded on stock exchanges, similar to stocks.
What is diversification?
A. Focusing on a single asset type
B. Reducing risk by spreading investments across different assets
C. Investing only in high-risk securities
D. Avoiding international investments
B. Reducing risk by spreading investments across different assets
Diversification minimizes the impact of poor performance in a single asset.
What is the primary benefit of rebalancing a portfolio?
A. Maximizing short-term gains
B. Adjusting the portfolio to align with the investor’s goals and risk tolerance
C. Increasing portfolio fees
D. Timing the market for better returns
B. Adjusting the portfolio to align with the investor’s goals and risk tolerance
Rebalancing ensures the portfolio reflects the desired asset allocation.
A client is considering investing $10,000 in stocks. They are concerned about market volatility. What strategy could reduce their risk?
A. Invest all $10,000 in a single stock
B. Use dollar-cost averaging
C. Focus only on small-cap stocks
D. Ignore risk and invest fully
B. Use dollar-cost averaging
This approach reduces the impact of price fluctuations over time.
A client wants to invest in a mix of stocks and bonds for retirement. What type of investment vehicle should they consider?
A. Checking account
B. Balanced mutual fund
C. Certificate of deposit
D. Savings bond
B. Balanced mutual fund
Balanced funds include both stocks and bonds for diversification.
If a client’s risk tolerance is low, which investment option is most suitable?
A. High-growth technology stocks
B. Government bonds
C. Venture capital
D. Cryptocurrency
B. Government bonds
Government bonds are safer and offer more stable returns.
A client’s portfolio consists of 90% stocks and 10% bonds. If they wish to reduce risk, what action should they take?
A. Increase bond allocation
B. Move fully into stocks
C. Maintain the current allocation
D. Invest in more stocks
A. Increase bond allocation
Bonds are less volatile, reducing portfolio risk.
A client is interested in ethical investing. What type of funds should they consider?
A. Index funds
B. ESG funds
C. Hedge funds
D. Real estate funds
b. ESG funds
ESG funds focus on environmental, social, and governance factors.