Chapter 7: Investment Companies Flashcards
A(n) ______ is an issuer in the business of investing, owning, holding, or trading in securities.
Investment Company
Investment companies fall into the following classifications:
- ______
- ______
- ______
- Management Companies
- Unit Investment Trusts
- Face-Amount Certificates
Investment companies are structured as either ______ or ______ which investors are able to pool their funds for increased ______ and ______.
- Corporations
- Trusts
- Diversification
- Professional Management
Each investor owns a(n) ______ in a portfolio of securities. In other words, no single shareholder has any right or claim that exceeds the rights or claims of other shareholders.
Undivided Interest
The investment company concept offers an investor access to ______ and a level of ______ that average investors could not afford or achieve on their own.
- Professional Portfolio Management
2. Diversification
The ______ established guidelines for the operation of investment companies and divided them into three types:
- ______
- ______
- ______
a. Open-End (Mutual Funds)
b. Closed-End
- Investment Company Act of 1940
- Unit Investment Trusts (UITs)
- Face Amount Certificate Companies (FACs)
- Management Companies
The ______ requires that investment companies be registered with the ______.
- Securities Act of 1933
2. SEC
A(n) ______ is established as a trust and operates as a holding company for the portfolio. A designated ______ supervises the company’s operation.
- Unit Investment Trust (UIT)
2. Trustee
A UIT’s units, like open-end investment companies, are ______, which means there is no secondary trading and the units must be ______ by the issuer (non-negotiable and nonmarketable).
- Redeemable
2. Redeemed
UITs usually feature a(n) ______, which is held for the life of the trust. As such, the portfolio is said to be ______ rather than actively managed. Therefore, there is no ______.
- Fixed Portfolio
- Supervised
- Management Fee
If the UIT features a fixed portfolio, no substitution of securities may be made without written notice to the ______. All unit holders must be notified of a substitution within ______.
- SEC
2. 5 Days
The SEC can order the liquidation of a UIT if it determines that the trust is ______ or that such liquidation would be in the ______ of the unit holders.
- Ineffective
2. Best Interest
At maturity, UIT proceeds are distributed to the investors on a(n) ______.
Per Unit Basis
Unit holders of a UIT can ______ their units prior to maturity at the ______, which could be more or less than the original investment.
- Redeem
2. Current Market Value (CMV)
______ issue debt certificates that offer predetermined interest rates. The certificates can be purchased with either ______ or a(n) ______.
- Face Amount Certificates
- Periodic Installments
- Lump-Sum Payment
Face amount certificates have a maturity of at least ______.
24 Months
Holders of face amount certificates are entitled to redeem them for a(n) ______ on a(n) ______. These certificates can be redeemed prior to maturity for their stated ______.
- Fixed Amount
- Specified Date
- Surrender Value
______ are rarely issued today due to changes in tax laws that make them less attractive.
Face Amount Certificates
The management company employs a(n) ______ (a.k.a. “______”) to manage a portfolio of securities in such a way as to achieve a specified ______ over time. To reach this, each fund has its own ______ or guideline. This outlines the types of securities and investment strategies, which the fund employs in pursuing its stated objective.
- Investment Adviser
- Fund Manager
- Specified Investment Objective
- Specified Investment Objective
Management companies are organized as either ______ or ______.
- Open-End
2. Closed-End
The most widely known and utilized type of management company is the ______, or “______”.
- Open-End
2. Mutual Fund
The main difference between open-end and closed-end management companies is in the shares they issue, or how they are ______.
Capitalized
Shares of ______ management companies are issued and traded just like shares of any other corporation.
Closed-End
How the Management Company Issues Shares
- ______: Single IPO of a fixed number of shares.
- ______: Full or fractional shares.
- ______: Continuous primary offering of unlimited number of shares.
- ______: Full shares only.
- Closed-End
- Open-End
- Open-End
- Closed-End
How Investors Buy/Sell Shares of Management Companies
- ______: Purchased from the company.
- ______: After the IPO, secondary market exchange or OTC.
- ______: No secondary market.
- ______: Redeemed by the company.
- Open-End
- Closed-End
- Open-End
- Open-End
Types of Management Company Shares (Capitalization)
- ______: Debt Securities (maximum 33.3%)
- ______: Common
- ______: Preferred (maximum 50%)
- Closed-End
- Open- & Closed-End
- Closed-End
Management Company Share Pricing
- ______: Market supply & demand
- ______: Priced by formula NAV + SC = POP
- Closed-End
2. Open-End
Management Company Shareholder Rights
- ______: Dividends
- ______: Voting
- ______: Preemptive Rights
- Open- & Closed-End
- Open- & Closed-End
- Closed-End
Closed-end funds also maintain a calculated ______ per share. However, due to market supply and demand, shares may be trading at a premium or a discount. Investors buy the shares at the ______ plus a(n) ______.
- Net Asset Value (NAV)
- Market Price
- Sales Commission
A management company, whether open-end or closed-end, can be either ______ or ______.
- Diversified
2. Nondiversified
In order for a company to market itself as diversified, its portfolio must be invested in a manner specified in the ______ and often referred to as the “______”.
- Investment Company Act of 1940
2. 75-5-10 Rule
For a portion totaling at least ______ of the total assets, the diversified portfolio must be structured so that no more than ______ of total assets are invested in any one company. Additionally, with this portion of assets, the investment company cannot own more than ______ of the voting stock of any target company. There are no investment restrictions on the remaining ______ of the assets of the management company.
- 75%
- 5%
- 10%
This is 75-5-10 Rule from the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Closed-end management companies have the following characteristics:
- Usually capitalized through a(n) ______ of a fixed number of shares.
- After the initial public offering, the shares trade in the ______.
- The share price in the secondary market is determined by ______.
- Trading in shares may take place on a(n) ______ or in the ______.
- Do not ______ held by investors.
- One-Time Public Offering
- Secondary Market
- Investor Demand
- Exchange or OTC Market
- Redeem Shares
______ are the most common type of investment company security today.
Mutual Funds
Open-end mutual funds provide a continual ______ and ______ of shares.
- Offering
2. Redemption
Investors purchase mutual fund shares at the ______, which is composed of the ______ plus any applicable ______. If the dollar amount of the purchase does not compute into an even number of shares, the mutual fund issues ______, computed to ______ of a share.
- Public Offering Price (POP)
- Net Asset Value (NAV)
- Sales Charge
- Fractional Shares
- 1 / 1,000
Mutual funds sell ______ on the date determined by the board of directors (usually the next business day after the ______).
- Ex-Dividend
2. Record Date
Mutual fund shareholders have ______ in direct proportion to the number of shares they own and are handled almost exclusively through ______.
- Voting Rights
2. Proxies
______ is considered by most investment professionals to be fundamental to successful long-term investing.
Diversification
An investment portfolio may be diversified in many different ways:
- ______
- Types of Investment ______
- A Variety of Securities ______
- ______ Areas
- Industries
- Instruments
- Issuers
- Geographic
Specialized funds may concentrate a large percentage of their portfolio in a specific ______ such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, or business machinery. Funds with holdings in a wide range of ______ tend to reduce the effect of periodic downturns in a particular area of industry on their portfolios.
- Industry
2. Industries
A portfolio containing different types of ______ can offer some stability in volatile markets. This is called ______. For example, a well-diversified income-oriented fund might hold common stocks with a history of high dividends as well as preferred stock, corporate and treasury bonds, and money market instruments.
- Securities
2. Asset Allocation
A growth-oriented equity fund may find that positions in a large number of companies, including large-, medium-, and small-cap ______, would prove to be a successful long-term strategy.
Issuers
Specialized funds may also be diversified by ______, concentrating their assets in a particular region, state, or foreign country. If a fund’s strategy includes international holdings, diversification may be achieved by including investments in Europe, Latin American, and Far Eastern countries in addition to domestic securities.
Geographic Region
In addition to diversification and asset allocation, ______ must be taken into consideration. High ______, which occurs when securities are bought and sold with frequency, would generate ______ for the investor in a taxable account.
- Tax Ramifications
- Portfolio Turnover
- Taxable Gains
______ funds are those that invest in common and/or preferred stock as opposed to debt securities. Though ______ are generally considered to be a growth-oriented investment, funds that hold ______ may pursue a variety of objectives.
- Equity
- Common Stocks
- Equities
“______” companies are large, mature companies with high consumer recognition and brand loyalty.
Blue Chip
______ companies have established products and distribution channels, proven earnings, and consistent dividend payment histories.
Blue Chip
______ stock values tend to be stable, and are more durable if declining markets. A(n) ______ fund would suit an investor who wants stock market exposure, but prefers less volatility than other equity alternatives.
Blue Chip
Blue chips carry ______ risk, but less ______ and ______ than other equity funds.
- Systematic
- Credit
- Volatility
______ funds have an objective of current income. For that reason, these funds will hold securities with dividend yield potential.
Income
Depending upon its investment policies, a(n) ______ fund may seek to achieve its objective by holding a combination of preferred stock and common stock with a history of high dividends in relation to its market value. These common stocks include ______ with solid earnings histories. They also include ______, which pay regular dividends to their investors.
- Income
- Blue-Chip Companies
- Utility Companies
Income funds typically have below-average ______ and are exposed to ______ risk and ______ risk.
- Growth Potential
- Credit
- Interest Rate
______ funds typically include common stocks of blue-chip companies with solid earnings histories; however, they may include younger, smaller companies that the funder manager judges to have significant growth potential for long-term appreication.
Growth
______ is a lower priority in most growth funds, because these companies will often retain their earnings to fund further expansion.
Dividend Income
______ risk is the most prevalent risk factor for growth funds.
Market
______ funds tend to hold well-established companies that pay some dividends, but still retain earnings for expansion. These funds tend to be less volatile than pure ______ funds, but usually under-perform ______ funds during market advances.
- Growth & Income
- Growth
- Growth
Growth and income funds are subject to ______ risks and possibly to ______ risks if dividend payments and capital appreciation fail to keep up with the cost-of-living increases.
- Market
2. Purchasing Power
______ funds are potentially volatile funds because these portfolios may be heavily invested in companies of cutting-edge industries or start-up companies whose earnings are unproven.
Aggressive Growth
Companies in ______ funds have strong research and development divisions and retain their earnings for expansion.
Aggressive Growth
Aggressive growth funds often exhibit high ______ as the fund manager is more likely to take profits and seek new opportunities.
Portfolio Turnover
Aggressive growth funds are strongly susceptible to ______ risk and ______ risk if investors are not able to hold them through declining periods.
- Market
2. Timing
______ funds primarily hold stocks that are deemed to be undervalued in price for any number of reasons and thus have significant upside potential.
Value
The mutual fund manager of value funds generally utilizes a(n) “______” strategy for the underlying securities in an attempt to give the securities enough time for any market inefficiencies in the true value of the security to be corrected.
Buy and Hold
Value funds tend to ______ during a general market advance and ______in a decline.
- Underperform
2. Outperform
______ stocks usually have high rate of earnings growth, high P/E, and high price to book ratios.
Growth
______ stocks are usually fully priced or high-priced stocks that investors are willing to buy because they believe the company will continue to grow in the future.
Growth
______ stocks typically have low P/E and price to book ratios. They are often stocks that have fallen out of favor in the market.
Value
The idea behind ______ investing is that a stock is mispriced or undervalued by investors, and eventually it will appreciate when investors recognize its true value.
Value
______ funds hold no fixed income securities, but contain a mix of growth and value stocks. These funds are designed to appreciate in value by means of capital gains.
Blended
______ funds provide a combination of fixed income instruments and equities, and their goal is to achieve growth in value and income, as well as preservation of capital.
Balanced
______ securities are those with a consistent yield like debt securities and preferred stocks. They provide a return of fixed periodic payments known in advance (e.g. fixed-rate government bonds). While the income is ______, the return on investment is usually ______ than in other forms of securities.
- Fixed Income
- Guaranteed
- Lower
In addition to supplementing income, ______ securities help investors reduce volatility in their overall portfolio.
Fixed Income
______ funds typically hold treasury and government agency debt and offer safety and generally less volatile. In return for limited ______ risk, these funds offer low yields.
- Government Fixed Income
2. Credit
______ funds hold only municipal bonds and offer advantages for those in high tax brackets.
Tax-Exempt
______ or ______ government fixed income investments generate federally tax-exempt interest income and may be exempt from state tax if the holder is a resident of the issuing state.
- State
2. Municipal
______ funds are only suitable for investors in high tax brackets because other investors are better served by the higher (taxable) yields of corporate bond funds.
Tax-Exempt
______ funds generally hold corporate debt with low credit ratings, referred to as speculative or sometimes “junk” bonds.
High-Yield Fixed Income
High-yield fixed income funds carry high ______ risk and are generally more ______.
- Default
2. Volatile
______ funds could supplement a well-diversified portfolio, but are mostly suitable for aggressive long-term investors who are primarily interested in yield rather than safety.
High-Yield Fixed Income
High-yield fixed income securities include above average share price ______ in return or the potentially higher ______.
- Fluctuation
2. Yield
______ funds invest in safe, liquid, short-term debt instruments. They have the distinctive feature of attempting to maintain a stable ______ per share value (NAV) although it is not guaranteed.
- Money Market
2. $1
A(n) ______ fund invests in short-term (______ maximum maturity) high quality debt such as corporate commercial paper, banker’s acceptances, negotiable (jumbo or brokered) CDs, and repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. They also invest in any T-bills, and those T-notes and T-bonds with ______ or less remaining to maturity.
- Money Market
- 1 Year
- 1 Year
Money market funds have a high degree of _______. One of the risks is hat over the long term, they may not produce returns sufficient to keep up with ______.
- Capital Preservation
2. Inflation
______ money market funds are suitable for most investors (in lower tax brackets).
Taxable
______ money market funds invest in federally tax-exempt money market instruments which offer lower yields than other money market instruments. These are suitable only for investors in higher tax brackets who can benefit from the tax-free income which these funds provide.
Tax-Exempt
______ funds, also known as ______ or ______ funds, concentrate a major portion of their assets in a specific industry, market sector, or geographic region.
- Specialized
- Sector
- Industry
______ funds are usually not suitable for the average investor with a lower risk tolerance, or who needs wider diversification.
Specialized
Specialized funds have the potential for substantial gains in advancing markets but are vulnerable to changes in ______ specific or ______ specific economic trends.
- Industry
2. Sector
Funds specializing in international sectors are vulnerable to ______ risk and ______ risk.
- Currency Exchange
2. Foreign Legislative
A fund with a(n) _______ purchases securities of companies from a common geographic region, such as the Midwest, the Southwest, or the Northeast.
Geographic Concetration
When a fund is dependent on only one geographic region, it carries more ______. It would be most suitable for ______ who are already diversified and wish to concentrate a small portion of their portfolios.
- Risk
2. Sophisticated Investors
______ is the investment style of allocating assets over the various asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and cash equivalents.
Asset Allocation
By allocating assets across the spectrum of investment, a fund can reduce its ______ risk since assets are diversified across several investment classes.
Overall Market
Over time, due to different performance among the different asset classes, the portfolio’s allocation will change. To remedy this, an asset allocation fund regularly ______.
Rebalances
______ is the process of buying more securities from a class in which the portfolio has become deficient, and selling securities from a class that has grown too large so that the portfolio is returned to its specified allocation model.
Rebalancing
A mutual fund that invests a concentration of its assets in overseas companies and markets (i.e. Asia, Australia, South American, etc.) is a(n) ______.
International Fund
______ funds are considered to have a higher degree of risk because of different regulatory, political, and economic factors. They carry more ______ risk and also carry ______ risk.
- International
- Legislative
- Currency Exchange
______ funds invest primarily in securities issued by agencies such as Ginnie Mae, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, or possibly private corporations.
Mortgage-Backed Security
Because the mortgage bonds provide monthly principal and interest, ______ funds pay a monthly dividend to shareholders. Therefore, this fund is most suitable for the investor who seeks ______.
- Mortgage-Backed Security
2. Regular Income
Mortgage-backed security funds generally carry a higher degree of ______ risk than government bond funds but also a higher ______.
- Default
2. Yield
A(n) ______ is a type of mutual fund whose goal is to achieve the same return as a particular market index, such as the Dow 30, an index of 30 large-cap stocks, or S&P 500, a broader index made up of 500 large-cap stocks. The ______ invests only in the securities that are included in that index.
Index Fund
The ______ index fund provides exposure to 2000 small-cap stocks.
Russell 2000
An index fund is ______, meaning there is no active research, buying, and selling. Because of this, their expenses are typically much lower than an ______ fund’s expenses.
- Passively Managed
2. Actively Managed
______ funds invest in gold, silver, and platinum, and are usually chosen in the time of economic decline as a hedge against ______.
- Precious Metals
2. Inflation
A(n) ______ is a mutual fund that holds shares in several other funds in the pursuit of its stated objective. By investing in a(n) ______, the investor gains exposure to several different investment objectives within one fund.
Fund of Funds (FOF)
Expense fees on some ______ can be higher than on regular funds. Because the ______ (with its own expense ratio) invests in other mutual funds which each have their own expenses, the ______ has a “double layer” of expenses.
Fund of Funds (FOF)
______ funds invest in illiquid assets, such as commercial property and private equity, and do not offer shareholders the ability to redeem shares on a daily basis. Instead, they periodically offer to repurchase shares from their shareholders at a price based on net asset value.
Interval
______ fund investors benefit from the opportunity to invest in large properties and other investments that would not ordinarily be available to individuals.
Interval
______ funds, also known as ______ funds, are automatically adjusted during the life of the fund to match the investor’s risk tolerance as it changes over her lifetime. An investor typically chooses a fund based on an estimated retirement date.
- Life Cycle
2. Target Date
The ______ is responsible for the establishment and implementation of a mutual fund’s investment policies.
Board of Directors
The board members are elected by the fund’s ______.
Shareholders
In accordance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, a minimum of ______ of the board members must be unaffiliated with the fund (______). The remaining ______ can include the fund’s employees, underwriters, or its investment adviser.
- 40%
- Outside Directors
- 60%
If the mutual fund has a 12b-1 fee or if any conflicts of interest exist, at least ______ of the board of directors must be ______.
- 51%
2. Outside Directors
The board selects ______ to carry out the operations of the investment company, and oversees their performance. The selection of investment company ______ does not require a shareholder vote.
Officers
Other functions of the ______ are as follows:
- Appoint and oversee investment advisers, transfer agents, custodians.
- Establish investment policy.
- Establish dividend and capital gains policy for the fund.
Board of Directors
The rights of ______ include the following:
- Voting rights/proxies.
- Approving changes in investment objectives and policies.
- Approving investment advisory agreements.
- Approving changes in fees.
- Electing directors.
- Ratifying selection of independent auditors.
Shareholders
The ______ is employed to manage the fund’s portfolio.
Investment Adviser
The ______ is paid a fee for advisory services that is typically based on a percentage of the net asset value under management (also called assets under management, or AUM) over a specified period of time. This fee is classified as a(n) ______ of the fund.
- Investment Adviser
2. Operating Expense
The majority of shareholders, members of the board, or both, must approve ______ contracts.
Investment Advisory
The ______ duties include the following:
- Supervising the fund’s portfolio by obtaining the appropriate diversification of securities held by the fund and making decisions regarding the appropriate timing of investments.
- Providing investment advice in conformity with federal securities regulations and tax laws.
- Researching and analyzing financial and economic trends.
- Conforming to investment objectives and policy decisions established by the board of directors.
Investment Adviser’s
A(n) ______ is a financial institution that holds customers’ securities for safekeeping, providing administrative and operational support.
Custodian
The ______ must safeguard the physical assets of the mutual fund, perform payable and receivable functions of securities transactions, and register the receipt of interest and dividends for the fund.
Custodian
A(n) mutual fund is required to have a national bank, trust company, or other qualified institution to perform as its ______.
Custodian
The ______ does not perform any management, supervisory, or investment functions; nor does it have any involvement in the sale of shares. The ______ may, however, perform as the fund’s transfer agent.
Custodian
The ______ is contracted by the fund to perform the following basic clerical functions:
- Issuance of physical shares or book entry.
- Cancellation of redeemed shares.
- Disbursement of dividend and capital gains distributions to shareholders.
Transfer Agent
______ means that shares are owned, recorded, and transferred electronically without issuing a physical stock or bond certificate.
Book Entry
The ______ facilitates the transfer of securities electronically.
Direct Registration System (DRS)
The shareholders and board of directors must approve all of the ______ for the operation of the mutual fund. Detailed information concerning fund ______ is covered in the prospectus.
Expenses
Fund expenses also include the ______ paid to the investment adviser. ______ are usually the largest expense of operating a fund, and are expressed as a percentage of the fund’s ______.
- Management Fee
- Management Fees
- Net Asset Value (NAV)
______ funds sell direct to the investor at NAV. Since they do not outsource their sales effort, their sales-related costs are charged against the fund as a(n) ______.
- No-Loads
2. Expense
The expenses of a mutual fund are expressed as the fund’s ______, which is determined by dividing the total expenses by average net assets (assets minus expenses) of the portfolio.
Expense Ratio
Total Expenses / Average Net Assets = ______
Expense Ratio
Total expenses includes investment adviser’s management fee and the fees to the custodian, transfer agent, and board of directors.
The ______ or ______ is not included in the expense ratio. This is not a direct operating expense of a mutual fund.
- Sales Charge
2. Load
A mutual fund’s ______, or ______, is known as the fund’s principal underwriter.
- Sponsor
2. Distributor
Sometimes the underwriter is called the ______, since it “______” the shares to dealers.
- Wholesaler
2. Wholesales
The underwriter has an exclusive agreement with the fund that allows it to purchase fund shares at the current ______. The shares are then sold to the public, through either outside dealers or the underwriter’s sales force, at the full ______.
- Net Asset Value (NAV)
2. Public Offering Price (POP)
The fund’s ______ markets the fund’s shares to ______ that sell the shares to the public.
- Underwriter
2. Dealers
Only dealers that have a(n) ______ with the fund may sell shares.
Selling Agreement
The underwriters “______” or ______ to these dealers to help them make sales. They create and pay for retail communication material to better market the shares to dealers, and compensate the dealers for shares that are sold.
- Wholesale
2. Market
In some cases, the ______ make direct sales to the public by purchasing shares from the ______ at a discount from the ______ and then reselling them to investors.
- Dealers
- Underwriter
- Public Offering Price (POP)
______ can never buy mutual fund shares for their inventory; shares must be purchased to fill customer orders only.
Dealers
The current market, or bid price, for a mutual fund is listed at its ______. This is the price that an investor receives when she redeems her shares. However, investors purchase mutual funds at the ______, or ask price, which represents the ______ plus the ______.
- Net Asset Value (NAV)
- Public Offering Price (POP)
- Net Asset Value (NAV)
- Sales Charge
Mutual fund investors buy at the ______ and redeem at ______.
- POP
2. NAV
The ______ of a mutual fund is expressed as a percentage of the public offering price.
Sales Charge
FINRA’s Conduct Rules limit the sales charge to a maximum of ______ of the POP.
8.5%
If the fund does not offer three privileges, then the sales charge is limited to a maximum of ______.
6.25%
The three privileges mutual funds need to provide in order to charge an 8.5% sales charge are:
- ______
- ______
- ______
- Dividend Reinvestment at NAV
- Breakpoints
- Rights of Accumulation
All sales charges on mutual fund share repurchased or redeemed within ______ of the transaction must be refunded.
7 Business Days
______ are not included in the expense ratio calculation because they are added to the net asset value per share to form the sales price.
Sales Charges
NAV + SC = POP
______ funds do not charge front- or back-end sales loads, but may include a small ______. Note that if a fund has a sales charge or a(n) ______ in excess of ______, it may not describe itself as a(n) ______ fund.
- No-Load
- 12b-1 Fee
- 12b-1 Fee
- 0.25%
- No-Load
No-load funds cannot charge a 12b-1 fee greater than ______ basis points so they may have lower expense ratios than those with a load.
25
The Investment Company Act of 1940 requires that redeemable mutual fund shares be sold to retail customers at the ______. However, the Act allows for exemptions from the rule for scheduled sales load variations (such as ______) or the ______ of the sales load altogether.
- Public Offering Price (POP)
- Breakpoints
- Elimination
The investment company, its dealers, and underwriters may offer discounts from the POP only when:
- Discounts are applied ______ to all investors in a particular class.
- Existing shareholders and new investors are provided with adequate ______ about the sales price variations.
- The investment company ______ is revised to show new sales load variations before making them available to new investors.
- The investment company informs existing shareholders of the new sales price variations within ______ of the date when they are available to new investors.
- Uniformly
- Information
- Prospectus
- 1 Year
If “______” is indicated or if the offering price is the same as the ______ then the fund is a no-load fund.
- NL
2. NAV
Mutual funds are quoted by their ______ (bid price) and the ______ (asked price). The sales charge is computed by subtracting the ______ from the ______.
- Net Asset Value (NAV)
- Public Offering Price (POP)
- Bid Price
- Asked Price
For open end shares, the ______ (___) will be the bigger number and the ______ (___) is the smaller number (unless the fund is a no load).
- Asked (POP)
2. Bid (NAV)
The NAV must be calculated at least ______ and is usually computed as of the close of the NYSE. Buy and sell orders are based on the next price to be computed, referred to as ______.
- Once a Day
2. Forward Pricing
The redemption value of an open-end investment company, or mutual fund, is based on ______ after the order is received.
NAV
Mutual fund companies are prohibited from allowing certain investors to engage in ______, which means buying or selling after the close of the exchange.
Late Trading
The ______ of a mutual fund is determined by dividing the total net assets of the fund by the number of shares outstanding.
Net Asset Value Per Share
The mutual fund’s total net assets consist of the current market value of the fund’s securities excluding fixed assets, plus cash, minus total liabilities.
Total Net Assets / Total of Outstanding Shares = ______
Net Asset Value Per Share
The mutual fund’s total net assets consist of the current market value of the fund’s securities excluding fixed assets, plus cash, minus total liabilities.
The mutual fund’s ______ consist of the current market value of the fund’s securities excluding fixed assets, plus cash, minus total liabilities.
Total Net Assets
- Held stock pays dividends: ______ NAV/Share
- Issuing new shares: ______ NAV/Share
- Fund sells asset for a gain: ______ NAV/Share
- Fund distributes dividends: ______ NAV/Share
- Fund sells asset at a loss: ______ NAV/Share
- Redeeming shares: ______ NAV/Share
- Held bond pays interest: ______ NAV/Share
- Increase in MV of securities: ______ NAV/Share
- Fund distributes capital gains: ______ NAV/Share
- Fund distributes interest: ______ NAV/Share
- Decrease in MV of securities: ______ NAV/Share
- Held stock pays dividends: INCREASE NAV/Share
- Issuing new shares: NO CHANGE NAV/Share
- Fund sells asset for a gain: NO CHANGE NAV/Share
- Fund distributes dividends: DECREASE NAV/Share
- Fund sells asset at a loss: NO CHANGE NAV/Share
- Redeeming shares: NO CHANGE NAV/Share
- Held bond pays interest: INCREASE NAV/Share
- Increase in MV of securities: INCREASE NAV/Share
- Fund distributes capital gains: DECREASE NAV/Share
- Fund distributes interest: DECREASE NAV/Share
- Decrease in MV of securities: DECREASE NAV/Share
MaxCap AgGr fund has a NAV of 77.89 and an offer price of 81.99. What is the sales charge?
5%
$81.99 - $77.89 = $4.10
$4.10 / $81.99 = 0.050 = 5%
NAV: $10.50
Sales Charge: 5%
What is the POP and sales charge?
$11.05 = POP
$0.55 SC
$10.50 / (100% - 5%) = 11.05 POP
$11.05 - $10.50 = $0.55 SC
______ shares purchased at the POP have no deferred sales charge. They are front-end loaded.
Class A
______ shares purchased at NAV have a potential back-end load called a(n) ______, which is based on the lower of the share’s cost basis or current NAV at the time of redemption.
- Class B
2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC)
The contingent deferred sales charge declines each year the investment is held, eventually reaching 0%. At that time, ______ shares convert into ______ shares.
- Class B
2. Class A
______, or ______, shares are also purchased at NAV, but have a back-end sales charge that runs for only 1 year.
- Class C
2. Level Load
Unlike ______, ______ shares do not become ______ shares. Even though ______ shares have a lower expense ratio than ______ shares, they may be costly over a longer term since they can never be converted to ______ shares.
- Class B
- Class C
- Class A
- Class C
- Class B
- Class A
Shares in Classes B or C status have ______ expenses than A shares. Because of this, they represent an alternate method of recovering the marketing costs that would have been paid up front had A shares been purchased.
Higher
Determining which sales charge is appropriate for an investor’s purchase varies with such factors as the investment ______, the amount of the ______ investment, the ______ of investments, and the ______ of withdrawal of funds before intended.
- Horizon
- Initial
- Frequency
- Probability
______ shares are most appropriate for large investments with a long-term time horizon.
Class A
______ shares are appropriate for small investments with a long-term time horizon.
Class B
______ shares are investment neutral and short-term time horizons.
Class C
In order to encourage increased investment, most mutual funds have ______, which are dollar levels at which the sales charge is discounted or reduced.
Sales Breakpoints
Breakpoints must be clearly stated in the fund’s ______.
Prospectus
Breakpoints are made available to any “______”, which is defined as individuals, married couples, parents, and their minor children, and certain other entities, such as trusts and pension plans.
Person
Specifically excluded from receiving ______ are informal entities, such as investment clubs and joint accounts with parents and adult children.
Breakpoints
Breakpoints are allowable if the following conditions are met:
- Breakpoints ______ apply to all recipients.
- ______ concerning scheduled breakpoints is given to shareholders and prospective investors.
- The ______ is revised if the breakpoint schedule changes.
- The investment company advises existing shareholders of any breakpoint schedule changes within ______.
- Uniformly
- Information
- Prospectus
- 1 Year
Selling just shy of a breakpoint is considered ______, and it is a violation.
Breakpoint Selling
A(n) ______ allows an investor to qualify for the sales discounts without initially investing the entire amount required; it states the investor’s intent to invest the required amount over the next ______.
- Letter of Intent (LOI)
2. 13 Months
Letters of Intent can be backdated ______. If the LOI is backdated, note that there will be less than ______ remaining to complete the investment, since the window begins at the date of original purchase.
- 90 Days
2. 13 Months
Letters of intent are not ______ on the investor. If the investor fails to deposit the required amount by the time the letter expires, the fund will charge the investor an amount that equals the higher sales charge that applied to the amount invested so far.
The fund ensures that will be able to recover these charges by holding a sufficient number of ______ in ______ to cover the expenses.
- Binding
- Shares
- Escrow
Only investor ______ are considered part of additional deposits when it comes to breakpoints. ______ of shares owned is not credited toward completion of the letter.
- Contributions
2. Appreciation
Mutual fund companies typically permit ______ for members of the immediate family and children younger than 21 living at the same residence. Immediate family could also be considered relatives if they are financially dependent on the family.
Rights of Accumulation
______ allows investors to combine prior mutual fund purchases with current purchases in the same mutual fund or related mutual fund family to qualify for a breakpoint.
Rights of Accumulation
Fund companies also typically permit ______ for large groups such as schools, hospitals, corporations, etc. These groups usually invest through some type of retirement program.
Rights of Accumulation
The ______ permits investors to count all of their mutual fund accounts and pre-existing investments in the same fund or fund family for the purpose of qualifying for breakpoint sales discounts.
Right of Accumulation
The ______ of an investor’s pre-existing fund holdings is used to determine whether he or she qualifies for a breakpoint discount.
Current Value
Certain funds may also charge a(n) ______ when an investor liquidates his or her shares. Normally, this occurs when shares are held for less than ______ or perhaps up to ______. Most often this is to discourage ______ of shares by the investor.
- Redemption Fee
- 90 Days
- 1 Year
- Short-Term Trading
Mutual Funds may be redeemed through a(n) ______ if the fund has this privilege.
Written Request
Mutual Funds may be redeemed through ______ if the fund has this privilege and the investor chooses it when the account is opened.
Telephone Redemption
Mutual Funds may be redeemed through ______ if the fund has this privilege. This is usually limited to money market funds and some bond funds.
Check Writing
An investor wishing to redeem mutual fund shares can do so through the ______ who sold the funds or directly with the ______. No-load funds are redeemed by direct contact with the issuing ______ or ______ bank, because there is no ______ involved.
- Dealer
- Transfer Agent
- Transfer Agent
- Custodian
- Dealer
Under certain conditions, funds may require a(n) ______ before redeeming shares to ensure that the request is valid. A(n) ______ is usually required for wire transfers, redemptions to addresses different than the address of record on the account, or for dollar amounts above certain limits.
Signature Guarantee
Once a fund company receives a redemption request in ______, meaning all required items have been provided, the fund company will utilize ______ to determine the price per share that the shareholder will receive.
- Good Order
2. Forward Pricing
The Investment Company Act of 1940 requires that mutual funds pay redemption proceeds to customers within ______.
7 Calendar Days
Open-end management companies (mutual funds) are constantly offering ______. Each share sold is a(n) ______ for that investor. This is called a(n) ______ and a(n) ______ must accompany each sale.
- New Shares
- New Share
- Continuous Primary Offering
- Prospectus
A mutual fund ______ must cover in detail all material information required for an investor to make an informed investment decision. This required information includes:
- Investment objectives, policies, and restrictions
- Sales loads and fees, including front end, CDSC, 12b-1
- Redemption fee
- Management fee
- Other expenses
- Expense table
- Breakpoint, ROA, combination of accounts, and LOI
- Exchange privileges within a family of funds
- Per-share income and capital changes
- Methods of sale (including determining pricing)
- Methods of redemption
- Investment and withdrawal plans
- Financial statements
Prospectus
A prospectus must be updated at least once every ______ to keep the information relatively current. Financial information within a prospectus cannot be older than ______.
- 12 Months or Annually
2. 16 Months
Some mutual funds may furnish investors with a(n) ______ that contains key information about the fund.
Summary Prospectus
If an investor would like additional disclosure, a(n) ______ can be requested. This statement must be made available to all current and potential investors within ______ of the request.
- Statement of Additional Information
2. 3 Days
Mutual funds typically offer ______ of capital gains and dividends at ______ (meaning without a sales charge).
- Reinvestment
2. Net Asset Value (NAV)
Although capital gains are generated when a mutual fund’s manager sells an asset at a profit and are based upon the fund’s holding period, they are distributed ______. Dividends are distributed ______.
- Once a Year
2. Quarterly
Most funds allow investors to redeem shares in one fund and reinvest the proceeds in another fund within their fund family at ______. These exchanges do not incur additional sales charges, but some funds charge a small ______.
- Net Asset Value (NAV)
2. Exchange Fee
Because redemption of shares normally results in a realized ______ or ______, the IRS defines these exchanges as a(n) ______ for capital gain and taxation purposes. ______ must be informed of the tax consequence before they execute the switch.
- Capital Gain or Loss
- Sale
- Investors
Although mutual funds that charge the maximum sales charge of 8 1/2% are required to offer dividend reinvestment, breakpoints, and rights of accumulation, ______ are a convenience privilege and are not required by the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Exchange Rights
______ is a voluntary investment plan whereby the investor systematically invests a fixed dollar amount at regular intervals, usually monthly or quarterly.
Dollar Cost Averaging
DCA plans are considered a way to reduce ______ risk in mutual fund investing because share prices are combined and averaged out over time.
Timing
By investing a fixed amount at fixed intervals, regardless of price fluctuations in the share price, over time the investor will realize a(n) ______ per share that is less than the ______ per share during that time.
- Average Personal Cost
2. Average Public Price
When discussing ______ plans, the agent must alert investors of the following:
- They still can sustain a loss if the current market value of the shares is below the average share cost.
- The plan does not protect them from a loss in a steadily declining market.
Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA)
Many investment companies provide investors with an option for systematic ______, ______, or ______ withdrawals. Payments can be received at specified intervals in either ______ or ______ amounts.
- Monthly, Quarterly, or Annual
2. Fixed or Flexible
There is usually a requirement for a minimum ______ for the account from which the distribution is being made. Payments are made first from ______ and then from ______. If these are not sufficient, fund shares are ______.
- Net Asset Value (NAV)
- Dividends
- Capital Gains
- Liquidated
______ Periodic Payments: an investor requests that a specified dollar amount be received in each payment.
Fixed-Dollar
______ Periodic Payments: an investor requests that a fixed percentage of shares be liquidated at fixed intervals.
Fixed-Percentage
______ Periodic Payments: an investor requests that a fixed number of shares be liquidated at specified intervals.
Fixed-Shares
Investors need to be aware that systematic withdrawal plans have a potential to exhaust their ______. These are not guaranteed to last for a certain length of time, like an annuity.
Principal
All securities issued by the Treasury Department are issued in ______, meaning they exist only as electronic records in computers without physical certificates of ownership.
Book-Entry Form
Members must use a(n) ______ for book-entry settlement, an electronic system of custody, transfer, delivery, and settlement.
Securities Depository
Book-entry settlement allows shares to move electronically through the ______ system, transferring securities with simultaneous cash settlement.
Depository Trust Corporation
Investment companies provide shareholders with ______ and explanations of the type of distributions made. This form documents to the IRS and to the investor all potentially taxable events, such as dividends, realized short-term and long-term capital gains, and capital losses.
1099 Forms
______ = Portfolio Interest + Dividends - Fund Expenses
Net Investment Income
The mutual fund must pay out at least ______ of its net investment income to the shares to avoid taxation on the distributed portion. If the fund does so, it is only taxed on the small portion of net investment income which it retains, known as the _______.
- 90%
2. Conduit or Pipeline Theory
A fund’s ______ provides the most comprehensive information for evaluation and comparison.
Prospectus
When comparing funds, it is vital to restrict the comparisons to funds of ______.
Similar Nature
______: For example, it would not be appropriate to compare the performance results of a fund with a growth objective with a fund having an income objective.
Investment Objective
______: Even funds with the same overall objective can utilize very different ______ to pursue those objectives. For example, one growth fund may invest exclusively in domestic stocks, while another may invest primarily in stocks of far eastern countries.
Investment Policies
______: ______ can be compared by duration of current management and consistency of performance relative to like funds.
Quality of Management
______: ______ can be compared by the fund’s calculated risk coefficient, beta, Sharpe ratio, and risk/return factors.
Risk Factors
______: The frequency with which a fund buys and sells securities in its portfolio can affect its cost to the investor.
Portfolio Turnover
One could expect a fund with a high turnover rate to have ______ expenses (trading costs) and probably ______ short-term capital gains distributions.
- Higher
2. Higher
______ investing is most appropriate for long-term investment objectives. Comparisons between ______ should focus on long-term results and consistency of performance over time, not on the current short-term trends of certain funds or industry sectors.
Mutual Fund(s)
______ for a given holding period (______, ______, and ______, or ______) includes the effect of reinvested distributions and share price appreciation, net of sales charges and expenses for the period.
- Total Return
- 1 Year
- 5 years
- 10 Years
- Life of Fund
______ or ______ is calculated by dividing the annual dividend by the current POP. This is a snapshot of the benefit of owning the fund at this moment.
- SEC Yield
2. Current Yield
Higher ______ have the effect of reducing current yields and total returns.
Expense Ratios
Newer funds, especially those with fewer total assets under management than their peers, usually experience ______ expense ratios in their earlier years.
Higher
Investors purchasing or selling shares in ETF typically pay a(n) ______ on each transaction. However, the ______ of ETFs are significantly lower than those of mutual funds.
- Brokerage Commission
2. Expense Ratios
ETFs trade “______”, giving investors the flexibility to buy and sell during the day, rather than once a day, like mutual funds.
Intraday
______ ETFs are designed to passively track a particular market index. They invest in all or a representative sample of the stocks in an index.
Passive
______ ETFs are managed by a portfolio manager who buys and sells stocks based on a defined investment strategy, rather than tracking an index.
Active
______ are investment companies whose objective traditionally is to achieve the same return as a particular market index, and who primarily invest in the securities of companies that are included in a selected market index.
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
______ do not sell individual shares directly to investors and only issue their shares in large blocks (50,000 shares, for example) that are known as “______”. The number of ______ varies depending on the fund.
- ETFs
- Creation Units
- Creations
After purchasing a(n) ______, a broker/dealer may split it up and sell the individual shares in a(n) ______ or sell it back to the ETF.
- Creation Unit
2. Secondary Market
Unlike in mutual funds, investors do not purchase or redeem shares from the ______, but instead buy and sell shares on an exchange.
Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)
Like stocks, ______ prices fluctuate continuously throughout the day according to changes in the underlying portfolio of securities.
Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)
ETFs offer the same intraday ______ as other securities traded on exchanges, such as closed-end funds. However, as opposed to closed-end funds which can trade at a premium or discount to their ______, ETFs usually trade near their ______.
- Liquidity
- NAV
- NAV
ETFs can also be purchased on margin ______ after the initial public offering or IPO.
30 Days
______ differ from more traditional ETFs because they use a multiplier. For example, a 200% or 300% multiplier may be used which would make it more ______ than a more traditional ETF.
- Leveraged ETFs
2. Volatile
The underlying instruments in a(n) ______ are not only the securities found in the index but also derivatives such as options, futures, and swaps.
Leveraged ETF
______ have a higher margin maintenance requirement than more traditional ETFs, which mirror the underlying stocks maintenance of 25%. The maintenance requirement for 200% leverage ETF would be ______ of the market value for a long position or ______ the normal maintenance requirement of 25%.
- Leveraged ETFs
- 50%
- Two Times
______ are created from various derivatives to profit when an underlying benchmark or market sector declines.
Inverse ETFs
Most investors use inverse ETFs to hedge their portfolio against ______.
Market Declines
______ can also be used instead of short positions without establishing a margin account.
Inverse ETFs
______ are senior unsecured debt instruments issued by an underwriting bank or other large institutions.
Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs)
Normally, ______ do not pay periodic interest and have no principal protection. Instead, they are backed by the credit of the issuing bank.
Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs)
Most ______ are based on and track the performance of an underlying index or benchmark. ______ are not equities or index funds; rather, they are debt securities and do not own the underlying index/benchmark.
Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs)
Like other debt instruments, ______ have a maturity date. At maturity, the underwriting bank pays the investor the value of the ______ based on the underlying market index, minus fees.
Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs)
______ can be traded on an exchange, held until maturity, or large blocks may be redeemed directly with the issuer prior to maturity.
Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs)
During the trading day, it is possible for an ETN to trade at a premium or discount to its “______”, which is the value of the ETN based on the underlying benchmark.
Indicative Value
A major difference between ETNs and ETFs is that ETFs carry ______ and ETNs carry both ______ risk and ______ risk because they rely on the issuer’s ability to pay at maturity.
- Market
- Market
- Credit
ETNs are adversely affected if the issuer’s credit rating is ______.
Downgraded
______ can provide investors exposure to strategies or investments that would otherwise be costly or difficult for them to implement on their own. ______ are generally considered complex investments only suitable for experienced investors.
Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs)
Exchange-traded notes (ETNs) are subject to _____ risk since they are backed by the credit of the issuing bank.
Credit
______ are traded on the NYSE AMEX (American Stock Exchange) and allow investors to trade on security compromised of a bucket of stocks in a specific market sector or industry.
Holding Company Depository Receipts (HOLDRs)
______ fluctuate in value based on the performance of the stocks in the bucket.
Holding Company Depository Receipts (HOLDRs)
A(n) ______ is a hybrid debt instrument linked to the equity markets. The performance of a(n) ______ is linked to a single stock, a group of stocks, or a stock index.
Equity-Linked Security (ELKS)
______ typically guarantee principal and offer small returns based on the underlying security or index. ______ are structured as annuities, mutual funds, or CDs.
Equity-Linked Security (ELKS)
For many investors, investing in public REITs, limited partnerships, or other security types backed by real estate provides additional ______ for their portfolio with less ______.
- Diversification
2. Risk
______ are companies that own, and usually operate, income-producing real estate or products related to real estate.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
REITs invest at least ______ of their investment portfolios in real estate or products related to real estate. The assets are selected by the ______, placed in a(n) ______, and monitored.
- 75%
- Portfolio Manager
- Trust
REIT portfolios are ______; there is no active trading. There are also a(n) ______ number of shares and REITs have a(n) ______ life. On a date designated in the prospectus, the REIT will ______ the portfolio holdings and pay each investor a share.
- Static
- Finite
- Finite
- Liquidate
When distributing REIT shares in an IPO, it is important to note that in the second half of the tax year no more than ______ of the shares may be owned by ______ or fewer people in order to qualify as a REIT.
- 50%
2. 5
REITs are traded in the ______ at either a premium or discount to _____.
- Secondary Market
2. Net Asset Value (NAV)
When the REIT sells a property, the profit is considered to be a(n) ______.
Capital Gain
REITs enjoy tax-advantaged income without double taxation; they pay tax only on the income they ______. In order to enjoy a pass-through of the taxation and for the trust to avoid paying taxes, the REIT must distribute at least ______ of its income in the form of dividends to the investors.
- Keep
2. 90%
REITs are unlike DPPs and do not distribute ______ to the investors; the REIT takes ______ at the trust level. Only the REIT’s ______ passes through to the investors.
- Losses
- Losses
- Income
Both REITs and DPPs have ______ and ______.
- Centralized Bookkeeping
2. Professional Management
______ are not investment companies and are not regulated by the Investment Company Act of 1940. The portfolio holdings are not securities; they are real estate, real estate mortgages, or a combination of the two.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
______ sell shares to investors. Each share represents a proportionate ownership interest in all of the investments in the trust.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
______ REITs, also called ______ REITs or ______ REITs, are registered with the SEC and are required to file reports with the SEC. They trade on the NYSE or OTC on NASDAQ and are traded in the secondary market.
- Publicly-Traded
- Exchange-Traded
- Listed
______ REITs are typically a liquid investment that an investor can readily buy and sell.
Publicly-Traded
______ REITs, or ______ REITs, are also registered with the SEC, but they are not listed on an exchange and are not publicly traded.
- Nontraded
2. Nonlisted
_____ REITs are characterized by greater risks, including lack of liquidity and high fees.
Nontraded
Investors in ______ REITs cannot easily convert their investment to cash, but instead must wait until the REIT is listed on an exchange or liquidates its assets.
Nontraded
Nontraded REITs typically have high upfront fees, which can be up to ______ of the offering price. ______ costs, such as property acquisition fees and asset management fees, add to the cost of owning a REIT.
- 15%
2. Transaction
______ REITs often offer high distributions, or dividend yields, but they may not be generated by operations. In fact, ______ REITs may use the proceeds from the offering and borrowings to pay distributions.
Nontraded
With no public market to determine the value of the shares of a(n) ______ REIT, it is difficult for an investor to gauge current performance. Share valuation is based on ______ of the real estate properties.
- Nontraded
2. Periodic Appraisals
______ REITs are typically ______ managed. They do not have their own employees. Rather than being aligned with the interests of the shareholders, the ______ may collect large transaction fees from the REIT and may work for other REITs in a similar fashion.
- Nontraded
- Externally Managed
- External Manager
There are three types of REITs: ______, ______, and ______, which are differentiated by their holdings.
- Equity
- Mortgage
- Hybrid
______ REITs are real estate funds or companies that are exempt from SEC registration and whose shares do not trade on a national stock exchange. They are not subject to the same disclosure requirements as stock exchange-listed or public nonlisted REITs.
Private
______ REITs are issued pursuant to certain exemptions from SEC registration, including Regulation D and Rule 144A. Under Regulation D, an issuer may sell securities to “______.” Rule 144A exempts securities issues to ______.
- Private
- Accredited Investors
- Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs)
A(n) ______ REIT investment is usually illiquid and share redemption programs may be limited.
Private
Broker costs for ______ REITs may include formation fees, annual management fees, and a percentage of profits or “______”. They are typically externally advised and managed. Minimum investments vary, but are generally ______.
- Private
- Promoted Interest
- High
______ REITs invest in real estate, either for income or capital appreciation.
Equity
A(n) ______ REIT is a type of equity REIT that provides an income for investors by investing in income-producing properties, such as apartments, shopping centers, or office buildings.
Income
A(n) ______ is a type of equity REIT that invests in often established properties that are already producing income, so the investor receives dividends immediately.
Income
______ REITs are a type of equity REIT that invests in vacant land and then develops the property and sells it. The objective is to profit through appreciation.
Capital Appreciation
______ REITs are a type of equity REIT that typically purchases commercial developments, such as office or retail space, or even apartments.
Capital Appreciation
______ REITs invest in real estate mortgages. These mortgages are typically held on commercial properties, and provide immediate income to investors.
Mortgage
A(n) ______ REIT is a combination of an equity and a mortgage REIT. It engages in both real property and in mortgages, so is more diversified in its activities.
Hybrid
A hybrid REIT can provide both ______ and potential ______.
- Income
2. Capital Appreciation
______ are pooled investment vehicles that are typically structured as either limited partnerships or limited liability companies. Their investment objective is to preserve capital and provide positive or absolute returns under all market conditions.
Hedge Funds
______ are very risky investments and have no guarantee that they will provide any investment return at all. The investor could all, or part, of their original capital investment.
Hedge Funds
______ use aggressive and, sometimes, complex strategies that involve investing in derivatives (options and futures contracts), distressed or bankrupt companies, volatile international markets, tangible assets such as real estate, and private equities.
Hedge Funds
Hedge funds employ the following techniques:
- ______: borrowing money.
- ______: simultaneous buying and selling a security in different markets to take advantage of the difference in prices.
- ______: selling a security that is not owned.
- ______: buying a security to offset a potential loss.
- ______: investing in a single issuer or market index.
- Leverage
- Arbitrage
- Short Selling
- Hedging
- Concentrating Positions
Hedge funds may be broadly categorized by strategies, including the following:
- ______ : take long and/or short positions in individual stocks or ETFs that partially offset each other, limiting overall equity exposure.
- ______ : trade various spreads taking advantage of relative price differentials.
- ______ : trade stocks and bonds issued by companies that are in distress, bankrupt, or involved in a merger.
- ______ : take directional positions in stock indices, currency exchange rates, interest rates, and commodities.
- Equity Market Directional Funds
- Relative Value (or Arbitrage) Funds
- Corporate Restructuring Funds
- Macro Trading Funds
While hedge funds offer greater investment flexibility relative to traditional investments, they are ______ investments that employ ______ investment strategies. There is often a(n) ______ provision that precludes investors from making withdrawals during a specified initial period.
- Illiquid
- Risky
- Lock-Up
The available information about hedge funds is generally ______. If they are ______, they are not subject to the SEC’s registration and disclosure requirements.
- Limited
2. Unregistered
Hedge funds are appropriate only for the ______, ______, ______ investor.
- Experienced
- Sophisticated
- Wealthy
If the adviser of a hedge fund manages ______ or more, she would be required to register but the fund itself would not be required to register with the SEC.
$150 million
Traditional unregistered hedge funds are regulated by the ______ and ______. As such, they can only accept investment capital from accredited investors or qualified purchasers.
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
2. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
If a hedge fund were a(n) ______, it would mean that less than 75% of the investments are known in advance.
Blind Pool
A hedge fund that has no specific business plan is considered a(n) ______.
Blank Check Company
Hedge funds are still subject to the general prohibitions against securities ______.
Fraud
______ hedge funds that do not advertise or publicly offer their securities but, rather, are open only to a limited number of wealthy, financially sophisticated investors, are usually not required to register with the SEC. However, the fund’s principal offices must be located in the ______ and assets under management must be below ______.
- Private
- U.S.
- $150 Million
Hedge funds typically charge an annual asset management fee of ______ to ______ of assets as well as a performance fee of ______ to ______ of a hedge fund’s profit. Fund managers only get a performance fee is the fund makes money.
- 1 to 2%
2. 10 to 20%
______ (also called ______) are pooled investments in unregistered, private hedge funds. They offer an investor the opportunity to invest in a number of funds through a single investment. This provides greater diversification among investment styles, strategies, and hedge fund managers.
Funds of Funds
Funds of funds may register with the ______ under the ______. Additionally, the fund of fund’s securities can be registered for sale to the public under the ______.
- SEC
- Investment Company Act of 1940
- Securities Act of 1933
______ have several disadvantages:
- Shares may be redeemed directly with the fund only if and when offered.
- Shares are not usually listed on an exchange.
- There is no secondary market available.
- Registered ______ may have adverse tax consequences due to the complex nature of their tax structure.
- Tax reporting information may be delayed.
Funds of Funds
An experienced, aggressive investor who is comfortable with a high level of risk and who desires a higher rate of return.
Hedge Fund
A retired couple whose top priority is preservation of capital.
Government Bond Fund (in return for safety, the investors must accept a small rate of return)
An investor who is approaching retirement and seeks preservation of capital along with a reasonable rate of return.
Balanced Fund
An experienced investor with a diversified portfolio who is interested in a particular industry.
Sector Fund (small portion of portfolio)
An investor who is concerned about expenses and skeptical that an investment adviser can consistently outperform the market.
Index Fund
A young investor saving for retirement.
Growth Fund (with a long investment horizon, the investor can afford to assume greater risk and appreciation potential of growth stocks)
An investor with an investment horizon shorter than 3 years.
Money Market
An investor who wants stock market exposure but wishes to stay at the stable, high-quality end of the stock spectrum.
Blue Chip Fund
A successful investor in a high tax bracket seeking maximum tax relif.
Municipal Bond Fund
An investor with a small amount to invest who wants immediate exposure to several investment styles.
Fund of Funds
An investor who seeks monthly income.
GNMA Bond Fund (because it pays monthly principal and interest)
An investor who desires preservation of capital, but wants a higher yield than a traditional government bond fund.
GNMA Bond Fund (because it pays monthly principal and interest)
An investor who seeks an investment allocation which is appropriate for his age and life stage.
Asset Allocation Fund / Target Date Fund
An investor who seeks a hedge against inflation.
Precious Metals Fund
An investor who wishes to avoid capital gains taxes and seeks a fund that is managed in a tax efficient manner.
Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)
An investor who speculates and seeks opportunities to profit from price changes where they believe the changes of gain are relatively high.
Options (hedging their position to avoid losing their entire investment)
FINRA considers interactive investment analysis tools ______ and regulates their use by members.
Retail Communications
FINRA defines a(n) ______ as an interactive technology that creates simulations that allow investors to see the possible outcomes of various investments, investment styles, and investment strategies, and provides an analysis of potential risks and rewards.
Investment Analysis Tool
A member that offers an investment analysis tool to retail customers must make the tool and any templates for reports produced by the tool available to FINRA’s ______ within ______ of its first use. In addition, any retail communications regarding the investment tool must also be submitted within ______ of their first use.
- Advertising Regulation Department
- 10 Business Days
- 10 Business Days
A married couple has a large investment portfolio concentrated in stocks and stock mutual funds, including an international and a global fund. They maintain their cash reserves in a money market account at their local bank. They own their own business and earn $600,000 a year. They are looking for a safe investment because they are planning to retire in a few years. They also recognize the need for diversification of their portfolio.
A. Biotechnology Fund B. Overseas Fund C. Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Fund D. Equity Income Fund E. Capital Appreciation Fund F. Index Fund G. Balance Fund H. Government Bond Fund I. Municipal Bond Fund J. Cash Management Fund
I. Municipal Bond Fund
The fund is designed to provide tax-free income creating a tax-exempt current yield for the investor. This portfolio consists of high-quality municipal bonds from several different states and municipalities located east of the Mississippi river. Although the income distributions are exempt from federal income tax, it is important to note that for individual investors the income received may or may not be taxable at a state and local level. Lastly, any capital gains distributed to the investors will be taxed as ordinary income.
The couple has the majority of their investments in the stock market. As the couple moves closer to retirement, they should move some of their portfolio to bonds. Because they have high earnings, they will also be in a high tax bracket. The best choice for them to provide diversification and safety would be the municipal bond fund.
A 28-year-old professional who earns $70,000 a year would like to start investing. He has $10,000 to invest and is seeking a secure investment and a periodic investment plan. He knows his long time frame, and should be willing to take some risk. However, he is uncomfortable with the thought of losing money. The investor would prefer modest returns with preservation as a major objective rather than high returns accompanied by high risk.
A. Biotechnology Fund B. Overseas Fund C. Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Fund D. Equity Income Fund E. Capital Appreciation Fund F. Index Fund G. Balance Fund H. Government Bond Fund I. Municipal Bond Fund J. Cash Management Fund
G. Balance Fund
This fund is designed for preservation of capital, income generation, and long-term capital growth. Its strategy currently is to invest 55% of its portfolio in common stocks and 45% in bonds and fixed-income securities. Through diversification, the fund intends to provide protection against downturns in the market and may not fully participate in rising markets. Additionally, the fund may adjust the percentages in equity and debt to preserve capital and maintain a reasonable return based on market conditions. However, it will always maintain a position in each.
The investor is at the beginning of his investment cycle and in theory, should be willing to take some risk and invest in an aggressive growth fund. However, this investor is risk averse and has not had any experience investing in the securities markets. A balanced fund is a good place to invest for high total return and low volatility.
A young couple with small children would like to start saving money for their children’s college education. Their first child will be ready to start college in 12 years. This is the first time that they will be investing, so they are concerned about having money later in life for retirement.
A. Biotechnology Fund B. Overseas Fund C. Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Fund D. Equity Income Fund E. Capital Appreciation Fund F. Index Fund G. Balance Fund H. Government Bond Fund I. Municipal Bond Fund J. Cash Management Fund
E. Capital Appreciation Fund
The fund’s objective is to achieve maximum capital appreciation. It invests in stocks of small and medium-size companies that have the potential for significant long-term growth. The fund’s management believes that investing in these small to medium-size companies that are possibly undervalued could show strong growth and create a superior investment return.
The couple requires maximum capital appreciation, and their long-term time frame enables them to handle the fluctuation of the stock market. The best investment for them is the capital appreciation fund that has an investment objective of long-term growth rather than income generation.
An investor seeking a long-term growth investment is concerned about inflation and the loss of purchasing power. The investor does not like to pay high commissions or invest in funds with high expense ratios. The investor believes that an investment adviser cannot outperform the overall market in the long run.
A. Biotechnology Fund B. Overseas Fund C. Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Fund D. Equity Income Fund E. Capital Appreciation Fund F. Index Fund G. Balance Fund H. Government Bond Fund I. Municipal Bond Fund J. Cash Management Fund
F. Index Fund
The fund duplicates the price and yield performance of Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 stocks. The fund invests in each of the index’s 500 stocks in approximately the same composition as the index. The portfolio has a low turnover ratio and therefore, has a low expense ratio. In addition, the management fee is very low because the manager only needs to mirror the index.
This investor does not want to pay high fees and is interested in the potential for long-term capital growth. He believes money managers cannot outperform the overall market in the long-term. This would indicate that an index fund would be the most appropriate because it would attempt to match the performance of the stock market.
A couple in their mid-thirties make a good living and have sufficient money in their retirement plan. The couple has been saving money to purchase a vacation home and currently have saved over $50,000 for a down payment. They are planning to start shopping for their new vacation home in the next few months.
A. Biotechnology Fund B. Overseas Fund C. Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Fund D. Equity Income Fund E. Capital Appreciation Fund F. Index Fund G. Balance Fund H. Government Bond Fund I. Municipal Bond Fund J. Cash Management Fund
J. Cash Management Fund
The fund maintains a stable net asset value, provides current income, and has check writing privileges. The fund invests in high-quality short-term debt obligations, including U.S. Treasury bills, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and repurchase agreements.
This couple is planning on buying a vacation home in the next 6 months and will need easy access to the money that they have saved for their down payment. The cash management fund is a money market fund and is very liquid, even allowing check writing privileges, which makes this fund the best match to their objective.
A 78-year-old investor is seeking a moderate level of current income to supplement his Social Security benefits and his company’s 401(k) plan. The investor is very conservative and is not willing to risk his principal investment.
A. Biotechnology Fund B. Overseas Fund C. Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Fund D. Equity Income Fund E. Capital Appreciation Fund F. Index Fund G. Balance Fund H. Government Bond Fund I. Municipal Bond Fund J. Cash Management Fund
H. Government Bond Fund
The fund is primarily concerned with preservation of capital. In addition to safety of principal, the fund provides current income. The fund invests in U.S. Treasury notes and bonds, as well as government agencies such as the Government National Mortgage Association. It aims for a current yield higher than the yield of short-term government debt and money market instruments.
The retired investor is looking for maximum safety and current income. All fixed income funds are designed to provide income. The government bond fund offers safety and a higher yield than a money market fund.
A couple in their early 50s have a combined annual income of more than $350,000. Their portfolio is well diversified and currently consists of common stocks and bonds that offer a wide range of safety and return potential. The couple has become more concerned about the effects of inflation on the U.S. economy. They are seeking to invest a small percentage of their portfolio in a fund that will provide additional diversification and help hedge against inflation in the U.S.
A. Biotechnology Fund B. Overseas Fund C. Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Fund D. Equity Income Fund E. Capital Appreciation Fund F. Index Fund G. Balance Fund H. Government Bond Fund I. Municipal Bond Fund J. Cash Management Fund
B. Overseas Fund
The fund’s investment objective is to achieve the maximum capital appreciation by investing in common stocks of companies located outside the United States. The fund has selected established companies that are listed on foreign exchanges. The fund’s management has chosen companies that have demonstrated high earning and growth potential. Although the fund may be affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates, over the long term it may provide protection against downturns in US markets.
These investors have a substantial portfolio that includes both equity and debt investments. However, they have become concerned about the U.S. economy and its effects on their portfolio. They believe it is time to diversify their investments and place a portion of their assets in the international fund.
A couple in their mid-forties have three children: ages 9, 12 and 16. They have been accumulating money to provide for their children’s college education. Their oldest child will be entering college in 2 years, and they are not willing to take risks with the money they have accumulated. They need a safe investment that provides regular income to help them meet tuition payments for all three children over the next several years.
A. Biotechnology Fund B. Overseas Fund C. Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Fund D. Equity Income Fund E. Capital Appreciation Fund F. Index Fund G. Balance Fund H. Government Bond Fund I. Municipal Bond Fund J. Cash Management Fund
C. Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Fund
The fund’s investment objective is to try to achieve high current yield accompanied by reasonable risk. It invests its portfolio incorporate debt obligations, both long term and short term, that are in the top three ratings according to Moody’s and Standard &Poor’s.
The couple’s investment goal is to provide for their children’s education starting with the first child in 2 years. They are not willing to take a risk that the stock market have a downturn within that time. They feel that a safe alternative that also provides reasonable returns would be a high-quality corporate bond fund.
An investor in her mid-forties is looking for the maximum capital appreciation. She has accumulated a large sum of money and actively manages her own investment portfolio. The investor’s portfolio is well diversified in both debt and equity investments. The investor’s portfolio currently includes common stocks, tax-exempt bonds, international investments, and limited partnerships. The investor has a long-term timeframe and is not averse to risk.
A. Biotechnology Fund B. Overseas Fund C. Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Fund D. Equity Income Fund E. Capital Appreciation Fund F. Index Fund G. Balance Fund H. Government Bond Fund I. Municipal Bond Fund J. Cash Management Fund
A. Biotechnology Fund
The fund has invested in stocks of companies that are focused on innovative products in the biotechnology sector. These companies include pharmaceutical developers and medical equipment suppliers. Fund management continues to evaluate the emerging economic and political trends and to select companies that benefit from technological advances.
This investor has a high net worth and substantial investment experience. This investor is sophisticated enough to evaluate the risk of an investment, balancing that risk against the investment’s potential return. Therefore, this investor is qualified for a speculative investment, such as the biotechnology fund.
A retiring couple who have a substantial amount of money that they have saved up over the years would like to discuss new investment opportunities. They are in their early sixties and currently in good health, and are planning to have an active retirement which will include traveling. They have accumulated about $1.5 million, which they plan to use for their retirement. They are concerned about inflation and are comfortable with a reasonable level of risk.
A. Biotechnology Fund B. Overseas Fund C. Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Fund D. Equity Income Fund E. Capital Appreciation Fund F. Index Fund G. Balance Fund H. Government Bond Fund I. Municipal Bond Fund J. Cash Management Fund
D. Equity Income Fund
The fund’s primary objective is current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The portfolio consists of common stock, preferred stock and convertible securities of large, well-established companies with a history of paying high dividends. Because the investments are inequities, this will help protect against inflation and purchasing power risk.
As the couple prepares for retirement, they want to ensure that they maintain a comfortable standard of living, which includes staying ahead of inflation. A fund that offers both current income and growth potential is the best choice for this couple.
