Chapters 1/2 Flashcards
What is a research report?
FINRA Rule 2241 defines a research report as a written or electronic communication that includes an analysis of equity securities of individual companies or industries. The content in the report should be reasonably sufficient for someone to base an investment decision.
- The definition DOES NOT include a report on an open-end company not listed on an exchange
- Any drafts and the final copy of a research report MUST be kept for 3 years.
Examples of things NOT considered a research report:
- A discussion concerning broad-based indices (ex: S&P)
- Commentary on economic, political, or general market conditions.
- Technical analysis concerning the supply and demand for a sector, index, or industry based on trading volume and price.
- Statistical summaries of mutliple firms’ financial data, including listings of current ratings.
- Recommendations regarding increasing or decreasing holdings in a particular sector or industry (ex: recommending that a client increase their weighting in the tech sector)
- Notice of ratings or price target changes, provide the firm simultaneously directs the reader to the most recent research report on the subject company.
- Any communication that’s distributed to < 15 people.
- Any internal communication that’s not given to clients.
- Periodic reports or other communications that are prepared for investment company shareholders or discretionary investment accounts which discuss individual securities in the context of the funds’ or accounts’ past performance. (ex: annual reports given to shareholders of mutual funds).
- Communication that constitutes statutory prospectuses
- Communication which is part of a propsectus or pvt placement memorandum.
- Although these are not research reports, they must still be approved by a principal
Who is a research analyst?
FINRA Rule 2241 states that anyone who directly or indirectly reports to a research analyst (whether or not their title is research analyst) in connection w/ the preperation of a research report.
- Persons who report on fixed income securities are exempt.
- PS and convertible debt are considered equity.
What is a research analyst’s household
Anyone person whose principal residence is the same as the research analyst (ex: spouse, children). This definition DOES NOT include an unrelated person who lives at the same residence as the RA, but is financially independent.
True or false: Although other analysts may assist w/ the preperation of a report, the analyst whose name is on the cover is the analyst responsible for the report and its content?
True
What designations must a supervisory person who reviews research reports have?
After a research report is prepared, it must be approved by a supervisory analyst who has obtained the General Securities Principal (Series 24) and passed the Series 87 and passed Series 16.
True or false: A supervisory analyst cannot approve their own reports?
False
True or false: If the supervisory analyst is not qualified in a particular area of research, co-approval by another supervisory person is permitted?
True
What info can be included in a research report?
- Company overview
- Industry overview
- Business Model analysis
- Financial Position
- Quality/quantity of earnings
- Valuation of a firm’s stock
- Dividend outlook
- Sensitivity of company costs and revenues
- Review of recently released financial data
- Quality of mgmt
- Industry and company outlook
- Competitive position
- Review of recent news
- Investment thesis
- Ratings or recommendations
- Risks of investment
Required regulatory disclosures that must be included in a research report:
- Price chart w/ historical info
- Meanings of ratings
- % of ratings issued by the firm
- Firm’s ownership and trading capacity of securities
- Risks involved w/ investing
- Disclosures of any compensation/relationship w/ the subject company(ies)
- Certifications of the analyst and researching firm
- Risks to achievement of a price target
Price charts
A price chart shows the price a firm’s stock over a period of time and highlights which BD assigned or changed a rating or price target. Price charts are required when a research analyst has a rating on a stock for at least a year. The info on a price chart IS NOT required to be more than 3 years old.
Meanings of ratings
Every firm must disclose what its rating means
Percentage of ratings issued by the firm
In the research report, the analyst who prepares the report must disclose the percentage of ratings that are issued by the firm. Ex: 50% buy, 25% hold, 25% sell.
Firm’s ownership and trading capacity of securities
If the research analyst has any form of ownership in the subject company, that MUST be disclosed in the research report. This disclosure must be made when the report is written or when it’s published. The firm must also disclose whether it’s a market maker (actively trades the securities of the subject firm).
Risks of not reaching a price target
If a research report includes a price target, a disclosure concening the risks that may prohibit the firm reaching it’s price target must be described. Additionally, the report must describe the valuation method that’s used to determine the price target.
Certifications
The research analyst must make certifications concerning the info within the report. SEC Reg AC states that an analyst must certify that the opinions in the report are their own.
Regulatory requirements regarding compliance:
- A research report must be approved or reviewed by research department personnel prior to publication
- Under certain circumstances, approval from the legal and compliance department must be obtained.
- Prior to dissemination, the research report must contain disclosure about the firm’s compensation within the prior 12 months and the compensation of the analyst. The analyst’s compensation may not have been derived from investment banking department gains or received from the company that’s the subject of the research report. These disclosures must also accompany any public appearance.
- Communications restrictions surrounding a research report must be followed. These restrictions include rules that require the creation of information barriers between the research department and the
investment banking department as well as quiet periods surrounding a new issue in which a research report may not be published. - A research analyst must protect confidential info from their household members.
- Firms that publish research reports must adhere to all regs regarding recordkeeping and document retention.
Earnings analysis
Generally conducted at the end of each quarter or when a firm does something that changes its earnings estimates. This type of report includes earnings previews and earnings wraps (a.k.a. review reports).
In-depth Fundamental (Basic) Report
An in-depth fundamental or basic report outlines a company, its mgmt team, its product(s), and its financial info. A fundamental report also contains the analyst’s opinion of the company, info about the sector in which the subject company conducts its business, recent developments within the company, insider holding information, peer comparison and future company plans.
Topical reports on relevant issues or theme
pieces
Review particular aspects of an issuer or industry
Short notes and summaries of pertinent news
The research department of a firm may issue notes and
summaries regarding an issuer if that issuer has released material info or there has been news in the media regarding the issuer.
Methods an analyst can present their reports/info to the media?
- Telephone
- Facsimile
- Using the firm’s website
- News info sources
- Recorded messages sent to voicemails
- Videos
- Podcasts
Research analyst account
Any account where the research analyst or member of the research analyst household has a financial interest OR any account where the research analyst exercises discretion or control.
True or false: A registered investment company (mutual fund) where the research analyst or a member of their household has discretion or control, provided neither has a financial interest in the company (other than receiveing a performance or mgmt fee) IS NOT considered a research analyst account?
True