Free CSI CSC2 Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 3

Trend analysis compares financial data across periods by using a base year as the benchmark. The trend ratio is calculated by dividing the current year figure by the base year figure and multiplying by 100. Here, Year 1 is the base period with earnings per share of $2.12. Year 3 earnings per share are $2.42. The calculation is $2.42 divided by $2.12, multiplied by 100, which equals approximately 114.15. Rounded to the nearest whole number, the trend ratio is 114. Option D would be closer to Year 2’s trend ratio, not Year 3. Option C incorrectly treats the Year 3 EPS as a ratio. Therefore, the correct answer is 114.

Provincial savings bonds are a suitable option for an investor seeking a guaranteed return over a fixed period, such as seven years. These bonds are backed by the credit of the issuing provincial government and provide a stable and secure investment, ensuring predictable returns. They are often issued during specific sales campaigns and offer safety comparable to federal bonds but tailored to provincial residents.

Other options:

Preferred shares : Provide fixed dividends but do not guarantee returns.

Common shares : Subject to market risk and do not offer guaranteed returns.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) : Can track bonds or equities but are subject to market fluctuations and do not guarantee returns.

A company in a growth industry usually benefits from expanding demand, innovation, rising production efficiency, and increasing competition as more firms enter the market. Lower production costs may occur as the industry scales, technology improves, and companies become more efficient. Option A is more typical of mature industries, where companies generate stable cash flow and distribute a larger portion as dividends. Option C describes an industry growing at roughly the same pace as the economy, which is more consistent with a mature or average-growth industry rather than a growth industry. Option D is also inconsistent because growth companies usually trade at higher price-to-earnings ratios and often reinvest earnings instead of paying high dividends. Option B best fits a growth industry.

An advisor’s duty of care requires recommendations and accepted orders to be suitable for the client based on know-your-client information, investment objectives, time horizon, risk tolerance, financial circumstances, and investment knowledge. Even when a client requests a trade, the advisor cannot ignore suitability obligations. If the order is unsuitable, the advisor must warn the client, document the concern, and may be required to refuse or escalate the transaction depending on firm policy and regulatory obligations. Compliance refers to following laws and internal rules, but the core ethical breach in this scenario is failing to protect the client’s interests. Integrity involves honesty, and professionalism involves proper conduct. The direct violation is the advisor’s duty of care.

When acting as a principal, investment dealers buy and sell securities for their own account. They generate revenue by earning a spread, which is the difference between the price at which they buy securities (bid price) and the price at which they sell them (ask price). This is distinct from their role as an agent, where revenue is earned through commissions on trades executed on behalf of clients.

A. Through commissions: Commissions are earned when acting as an agent, not as a principal.

B. Through tracers: This term does not apply to revenue generation.

C. Through brokerage charges: Brokerage charges relate to fees imposed on client accounts, not principal trading spreads.

Know Your Client requirements require the advisor and firm to collect and maintain sufficient information about the client to assess suitability. This includes personal circumstances, financial circumstances, investment knowledge, risk tolerance, risk capacity, time horizon, investment objectives, liquidity needs, and other relevant constraints. Option A is incorrect because each account may have different objectives, ownership, risk profile, or restrictions, so information cannot simply be assumed across accounts without proper review. Option B is incorrect because joint accounts require relevant information for the account holders. Option C is wrong because KYC obligations still matter even when the client initiates a transaction. The advisor must understand the client well enough to identify suitability concerns. Therefore, personal circumstances are a core KYC requirement.