Free CSI IFC Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 6

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Risk refers to the potential volatility in returns or the range of possible future outcomes on the price of a security. This concept captures the uncertainty associated with a security’s future value, a fundamental aspect of investment analysis. The feedback from the document states:

"Risk is the potential volatility in returns or the range of possible future outcomes on the price of a security."

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Ian, as a Stage 1 – Early Earning Years investor, has no family or financial commitments, allowing for a higher risk tolerance. An asset allocation with a heavy equity weighting, such as 80% in equity funds, is suitable. The feedback from the document states:

"Ian would be considered a Stage 1 – Early Earning Years investor. Stage 1 investors, in general, are free of family and financial commitments, and would typically have a higher ability to tolerate risk. Thus, with its higher level of risk and lower component of income-based investments, 10% in a bond fund, 80% in equity funds and 10% in a money market fund would be most likely to be suitable."

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

A corporate bond bought at a discount will provide a capital gain at maturity, as the investor receives the par value, which is higher than the purchase price. The feedback from the document states:

"Bond prices are quoted using an index with a base value of 100. A bond trading at 100 is said to be trading at face value, or par. A bond trading below par, say at a price of 98, is said to be trading at a discount… So if you buy a bond at a discount, at maturity, you will receive the par or face value. The difference between the discounted price and the par value received at maturity is considered a capital gain."

A conflict of interest is a situation where an individual or a firm has competing or incompatible interests that may affect their ability to act fairly, honestly, and in the best interest of their clients. A material conflict of interest is a conflict of interest that a reasonable person would expect to know about and that may influence the client’s decision to enter into or maintain a business relationship with the individual or the firm. According to the MFDA rules, Barend has an obligation to identify and address material conflicts of interest in a manner that prioritizes the client’s interest over his own or the firm’s interest1. If a material conflict of interest cannot be addressed in the best interest of the client, Barend must disclose it to the client before opening an account, providing advice, or executing a transaction. The disclosure must be clear, meaningful, and timely, and it must explain the nature and extent of the conflict of interest and how it could affect the client’s interests2. Barend must also obtain the client’s written consent to proceed with the account opening, advice, or transaction despite the conflict of interest. Barend must avoid material conflicts of interest that are prohibited by law or that would result in a breach of his fiduciary duty to the client. Barend must also report any material conflicts of interest to his firm and comply with the firm’s policies and procedures for managing conflicts of interest3. References:

MFDA Rule 2.1.4 - Conflicts of Interest1

MFDA Policy No. 2 - Minimum Standards for Account Supervision2

MFDA Policy No. 9 - Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest (Outside Business Activities)3

Adele has a high-risk profile and an excellent understanding of equities. Therefore, it would be appropriate for Danny to recommend growth funds. However, since Adele has $1,000,000 to invest, it would be prudent to diversify her investments and invest equally in all 3 funds. This way, she can benefit from the exposure to different regions and sectors, and reduce the impact of market fluctuations on her portfolio. Based on the table, all 3 funds have the same 5-year annualized returns net of MER, which is 15%. However, they have different MERs and Sharpe ratios. The MER is the fee charged by the fund manager for managing the fund, and the Sharpe ratio is a measure of risk-adjusted return. A lower MER means a lower cost for the investor, and a higher Sharpe ratio means a higher return per unit of risk. Therefore, investing equally in all 3 funds would allow Adele to achieve a balanced trade-off between cost and performance. References:

Canadian Investment Funds Course (CIFC) Study Guide, Chapter 4: Mutual Funds, Section 4.2: Types of Mutual Funds, page 4-6

Canadian Investment Funds Course (CIFC) Study Guide, Chapter 5: Fixed-Income Securities, Section 5.5: Risk-Return Trade-Offs, page 5-14

Sharpe Ratio Definition - Investopedia

Loretta is looking for a well diversified equity fund that invests both within and outside Canada. She also wants a fund that invests in quality companies, which implies that she prefers lower risk and higher stability. A global equity fund would meet her criteria, as it can invest in any country, including Canada, and diversify across different regions and markets. A global equity fund that focuses on large, established companies, also known as blue chip stocks, would also suit her preference for quality and stability, as these companies tend to have strong financial performance, competitive advantages, and consistent dividends. Therefore, the Polar Global Blue Chip Equity Fund would be the best choice for Loretta among the given options.

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and Allowance for the Survivor are both income-tested benefits that are part of the Old Age Security (OAS) program. They are designed to provide financial assistance to low-income seniors who meet certain eligibility criteria. GIS is a monthly payment that supplements the OAS pension for seniors whose income is below a certain threshold. Allowance for the Survivor is a monthly payment for low-income seniors aged 60 to 64 whose spouse or common-law partner has died and who have not remarried or entered into another common-law relationship. The benefit amounts for both GIS and Allowance for the Survivor depend on the income level of the recipient and are adjusted quarterly based on the Consumer Price Index. The higher the income, the lower the benefit amount, until it reaches zero at a certain income limit. Therefore, eligibility for both GIS and Allowance for the Survivor depends on income level.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are traded on exchanges, offering flexibility and lower costs compared to index mutual funds, making them ideal for tracking the energy sector. The feedback from the document states:

"Like stocks, and unlike index mutual funds, ETFs are traded on an exchange and can be bought and sold throughout the trading day. In this way, ETFs provide investors with a flexible way to participate in the performance of the underlying assets without having to acquire the assets directly, incurring high transaction costs. MERs on ETFs also tend to be lower than on other index and actively managed products."

According to the Registered Investments (RIs) - Canada.ca, you must inform the regulatory authorities of any material or significant changes to your personal circumstances, such as a change of name, address, or employment status. You must also report any disciplinary actions, criminal charges, or civil lawsuits that may affect your suitability as a registrant. Failing to do so may result in suspension or revocation of your registration.

Contributed funds grow tax-free within the plan3. This means that any income or capital gains earned by the investments in an RESP are not taxed until they are withdrawn3. This allows the plan to grow faster than a taxable account with the same investments and contributions3. The other statements are incorrect. Contributions to RESPs are not tax deductible3. This means that you cannot deduct the amount you contribute to an RESP from your taxable income3. However, you do not haveto pay tax on the contributions when they are withdrawn from the plan3. There is no yearly contribution limit per beneficiary, but there is a lifetime contribution limit of $50,000 per beneficiary3. This means that you can contribute any amount to an RESP in any given year, as long as you do not exceed the lifetime limit for each beneficiary3. RESPs must be collapsed by the end of the 35th year of its starting date3. This means that you have up to 35 years to use the funds in an RESP for educational purposes or transfer them to another plan3. If you do not use or transfer the funds by then, you have to close the plan and pay tax on the accumulated income portion3. References: Unit 8: Retirement