Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Victoria Novak, CFA, was waiting in line at a coffee shop when she
overheard a conversation between two people talking about an individual
financial adviser. According to the two, this adviser had received numerous
complaints over the past month, including some suspected illegal activity
regarding a complex financial transaction. One particular comment caught her
attention, “We would not have this case on our hands right now if we had
included an industry standard in our new regulations requiring all licensees,
who we regard as our clients, to abide by the CFA Code of Ethics and
Standards of Professional Conduct.”
Novak approaches the two and says, “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help but
overhear your conversation. I’m Victoria Novak, a CFA® charterholder. Are you
charterholders, too?”
Novak responds, “I’m really passionate about ethics and would love to
talk more.”
After the three find a table, Novak asks about their desire to implement
the CFA Code and Standards as an industry standard.
Marin responds, “We regularly check the CFA Institute website to see if
anyone in our jurisdiction has been sanctioned for improper behaviors. Those
individuals are subject to greater scrutiny because of their past misbehaviors.”
Kovi adds, “For instance, we recently discovered from the CFA Institute
website that Mario Jovic, CFA, the owner of a small licensed financial advisory
firm in our jurisdiction was subject to a public sanction. Consequently, we
have started our own investigation and found several clients had registered
complaints with the firm.”
Novak asks the two, “If you had the Code and Standards in place
industry-wide right now, what sanctions would you consider against this
adviser?”
Sanction 3: Require the adviser to design a formal training program for existing
staff and any new hires to help them understand their responsibilities as
required by the Code and Standards.
Is the comment regarding the requirement for all licensees that Novak
overheard while waiting in line at the coffee shop most likely correct?
A. No.
KEY = A
A is correct. The comment “We would not have this case on our hands
now if we had included an industry standard in our new regulations requiring
all licensees to abide by the CFA Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional
Conduct,” is not correct with regards to Standard I(A), Knowledge of Law, or
Standard IV(C), Responsibilities of Supervisors. Although Standard I(A),
Knowledge of Law, requires CFA Institute members and CFA candidates to
uphold all laws, rules, regulations, and the CFA Code and Standards, members
and candidates are not required to have detailed knowledge of or be experts on
all the laws that could potentially govern their activities. As a result, it is
unlikely to prevent 100% of all illegal activity or unethical behavior by staff,
although the implementation of the Code and Standards should increase
compliance. Likewise, abiding by Standard IV(C), Responsibilities of
Supervisors, which requires members and candidates to make reasonable
efforts to ensure that anyone subject to their supervision or authority complies
with applicable laws, rule, regulations, and the Code and Standards, will not
ensure 100% compliance, particularly when regulations and operating
environments are changing.
LOS a
After Novak and the two regulators found a table, who most likely violated CFA
Standards of Professional Conduct?
A. Kovi
B. Merin
C. Novak
KEY = A
B is incorrect. Merin does not violate any CFA Standards when stating,
“We regularly check the CFA Institute website to see if anyone in our
jurisdiction has been sanctioned for improper behaviors. Those individuals are
subject to greater scrutiny because of their past misbehaviors.” He has not
divulged any confidential information.
LOS a
KEY = C
LOS b
Which proposed sanction against the adviser most likely complies with CFA
Standards of Professional Conduct?
A. Sanction 1
B. Sanction 2
C. Sanction 3
KEY = B
LOS b
Birol consults his colleague Ziya Pamuk to review the policy choices
facing the Daltonian government and the possible effects on economic growth
and per capita income.
Pamuk states:
I conclude that the impact from these policies will cause a long-
term increase in the economy’s growth rate and our standard of
living. Furthermore, if we emphasize R&D spending, then higher
rates of saving and investment are unlikely to encounter
diminishing marginal returns.”
Birol believes Daltonia needs to address a recent increase in inflation and
appreciation in the exchange rate. Should these trends accelerate, the
country’s present prosperity could be threatened. Birol and Pamuk discuss
policy alternatives.
Birol states: “Since Daltonia allows capital to flow freely, the clearest choice is
to implement expansionary monetary and fiscal policies to stop the
appreciation of the currency according to the Mundell–Fleming model.”
Pamuk replies: “The long run solution to the problem, at least according to the
portfolio balance approach, would be a policy choice by the Daltonian
government to run large budget deficits on a sustained basis.”
Birol: “Moving our currency to a floating exchange rate has reduced our
susceptibility to a currency crisis.”
Pamuk: “Banking crises often precede currency crises, but our banking sector
has grown and strengthened substantially by offering foreign
denominated savings accounts to foreign investors and lending those
funds for domestic infrastructure investments.”
Pamuk: “I’m concerned that the ratio of exports to imports has been increasing
recently and the ratio of M2 to bank reserves has been falling.”
In examining the currency markets, Birol is concerned that local
currency dealers are being taken advantage of by arbitrageurs from Europe. He
analyzes the rate quotes in Exhibit 2 for evidence of triangular arbitrage and
carry trade opportunities by European hedge funds attempting to exploit the
DNR currency.
Interbank Market:
Daltonian Dealer:
Using the specified growth accounting equation, which is the most appropriate
conclusion Birol can make from his data on trends in the economy?
where:
Growth due to labor of 2.21% is greater than the growth due to capital or
TFP.
LOS d,h
Sections 4.2-4.3
Pamuk’s conclusion regarding the growth policy debate is most consistent with
which model of economic growth?
A. Classical
B. Endogenous
C. Neoclassical
LOS i
Section 5.3
LOS k
Section 6
LOS m
Section 8
B. buy EUR in the interbank market and sell EUR to the Daltonian
dealer.
C. buy EUR from the Daltonian dealer and sell EUR in the interbank
market.
The offer on the interbank is less than the bid by the dealer. A hedge
fund can by EUR (sell DRN) in the interbank market for DRN 1.504 and sell
EUR (buy DRN) to the Daltonian dealer for a higher price of DRN 1.514.
A is incorrect. There is an arbitrage profit opportunity as shown in the
calculations.
LOS b
Section 2.1
Using the data provided in Exhibit 2 for the interbank market only, a European
investor who attempts to exploit the DNR currency market with a normal
one-year carry trade based on a 100,000 EUR position will most likely
achieve a net profit in EUR of:
A. 1,963.
B. 3,018.
C. 2,218.
LOS i
Section 4.1
NBRC Vignette
Giulia Gallo works as a senior manager at the National Banking
Regulatory Commission (NBRC). She is meeting with her team today to review
Banco San Bruno (BSB), a large commercial bank with operations across the
country. The central bank announced a rate hike last month, and Gallo wants
to re-examine BSB’s ability to withstand the changing environment. Antonio
Rossi, her junior colleague, displays the summary information (Exhibit 1) he
has gathered on BSB’s earnings composition and comments that he thinks the
earnings composition has become less volatile and more sustainable.
Exhibit 1: Key Components of BSB’s Earnings
Gallo further explains that BSB has been flagged by the data analytics
system. The flag warns that BSB may be acting to boost its net interest income
by shifting its portfolio toward more long-term assets without a corresponding
shift on the liability side of the balance sheet. “I don’t like it,” said Gallo. Seeing
Rossi’s puzzled look, she adds, “It’s a value creation strategy in a stable
interest rate market, but it heightens their risk, especially in this environment
of increasing rates.”
The team next turns to BSB’s balance sheet. Rossi displays the
information he has gathered (Exhibit 2), and they use it to calculate the Total
Tier 1 Capital.
Subordinated debt 23 21
Preferred shares 17 17
Common shares 12 12
A. correct.
Key = A
C is incorrect. Both net interest income and net fee income, which are
considered more sustainable sources of income, have increased as a proportion
of the total. As such, Rossi’s comment that the earnings composition has
become more sustainable is correct.
Analysis of Financial Institutions
LOS e, c
A. maturity transformation.
Key = A
LOS c
BSB’s Total Tier 1 Capital (in billions) for the current year is closest to:
A. €199.
B. €216.
C. €239.
Key = B
(€ billions)
Common stock 12
Preferred shares 17
LOS e, c
Section 3.3.1
In the next meeting when completing the detailed analysis suggested by Gallo,
which of the following topics is least likely to be covered?
A. Currency exposure
B. Governance structure
C. Concentration of funding
Key = A
LOS d, c
Section 3.2.2
Before reviewing specific stocks, Lin provides Kim with the data in
Exhibit 1 and asks her to estimate the forward-looking risk premium for South
African equities.
Exhibit 1 Market Data
South Africa
United States
Krantz Group
Lin then asks Kim to calculate the justified price-to-sales (P/S) and
EV/EBITDA multiples for these South African stocks, starting with Jacobs
Brands, using the data in Exhibits 3 and 4.
Exhibit 3 Jacobs Brands LTD Selected Financial Statement Items (ZAR
millions)
Inventories 1,657
Interest 161
Taxes 964
2. When the inflation rates in two countries are the same, the justified P/E
multiple should be lower for companies with a higher inflation pass-
through rate, all else being equal.
3. Assuming all else is equal, a company in a country with high inflation will
have lower justified P/E multiples than a company in a country with
lower rates of inflation.
Based on the data provided in Exhibit 1, Kim’s forward-looking estimate for the
South Africa equity risk premium is closest to:
A. 3.9%.
B. 5.4%.
C. 0.4%.
Return Concepts
LOS b
Section 3.2
A. 0.84.
B. 0.95.
C. 1.13.
B is correct. The four steps that occur when doing beta estimation are
shown in the table below:
Step 1: Select proxy for Krantz Kim decided to use the SABMI
Group
Step 2: Estimate the beta of the Given as 0.90
proxy
A is incorrect. This answer incorrectly uses the beta to the MSCI South
Africa Index, not the MSCI World Index (beta of 0.8 instead of 0.9 in Step 2): βu
= (1/1.6667) × 0.8 = 0.6 × 0.8 = 0.48; βc = [1 + (D′/E′)]βu = (1 + 0.75) × 0.54 =
0.84.
Return Concepts
LOS d
Section 4.1
Using the data in Exhibits 3 and 4, the justified P/S ratio that Kim calculates
for Jacob Brands is closest to:
A. 1.62.
B. 1.10.
C. 0.54.
C is correct.
LOS h
Section 3.3
Using the data in Exhibits 3 and 4, the EV/EBITDA ratio Kim calculates for
Jacobs Brands is closest to:
A. 4.3.
B. 4.6.
C. 3.6.
A is correct.
LOS n
Section 4
Return Concepts
LOS f
Section 4.4
A. Observation 3
B. Observation 1
C. Observation 2
LOS o
Sections 3.1.6, 5
Neptune Case Scenario ITEM SET 1
Brad Belmar is the director of risk management at Neptune Asset
Advisors, a fixed-income firm located in New Jersey. Louise Lake, an analyst in
his group, models credit risk in the firm’s funds for risk
management oversight. Belmar and Lake discuss the process of modeling
credit risk, and Belmar makes the following comments:
Comment 1: “When modeling credit risk, the expected exposure reflects the
amount of money an investor is expected to lose given default,
discounted by the risk-free rate.
Comment 2: The credit valuation adjustment for each bond is the present value
of expected loss over its term to maturity and reflects the
probability of default and recovery rate.
Belmar also wants the risk monitoring of portfolios to include not only
corporate bonds but also securitized debt. He explains to Lake that there are
various types of securitized debt and that there are differences in the credit
analysis of these securities compared to corporate bonds. He suggests that they
segment the analysis depending on the characteristics of the securities. He
tells Lake, “We should apply a portfolio-based analytical approach to the
existing book of loans in short-term structured finance vehicles with granular,
homogeneous assets. For example, in a credit card ABS securitization, we can
use the distribution of FICO scores to derive a mean default and recovery rates.
On the other hand, we should apply a statistical-based approach to medium-
term, granular, and heterogeneous obligations, such as auto ABS. Finally,
a loan-by-loan approach is appropriate for discrete or non-granular
heterogeneous portfolios, such as CMBS.”
Issue 3: Both types of models have disadvantages. With structural models, for
example, it is difficult to measure the default barrier. For reduced form
models, a disadvantage is that they don’t explain the reasons for
default, which can be a surprise that does not typically happen in
practice.”
A. Comment 1
B. Comment 2
C. Comment 3
Key=B
LOS a
Sections 2
Key=A
A is correct. Belmar asks Lake to develop a credit rating system that has
the same characteristics as those used by the public rating agencies but
that maintains the ability to more actively reflect new information flow. The
characteristics he describes in both statements are correct with regard
to outside rating agencies.
LOS b
Section 3
Belmar is most likely correct with regard to which credit analysis approach for
securitized debt?
A. Portfolio
B. Statistical
C. Loan-by-loan
Key=C
LOS h
Section 8
Which of the issues that Belmar points out regarding quantitative credit
models is least likely correct?
A. Issue 1
B. Issue 2
C. Issue 3
Key=B
LOS d
Section 4
Maturity Spot
(Years) Rate
1 2.041%
2 2.598%
3 2.818%
4 2.956%
5 3.304%
Statement 3: “If the yield curve remains flat during the holding period, the
realized rate of return on a bond will be the same as the expected rate of
return.”
Klopp then asks Suarez how the spot curve can be used in fixed-income
analysis. Suarez responds, “Our expectations regarding the evolution of future
spot rates compared to the forward curve allow for an evaluation of the relative
value of a bond and the identification of appropriate bond trading
strategies. Interest rate scenarios and corresponding appropriate strategies are
outlined here”:
Based on the information in Exhibit 1, the forward rate for a two-year zero-
coupon bond issued three years from today is closest to:
A. 3.13%.
B. 4.04%.
C. 4.71%.
KEY=B
((1+r(T))T=(1+r(1))(1+f(2,1))(1+f(3,1))…(1+f(T-1,1))
Specifically:
The forward rate for a two-year zero-coupon bond issued three years
from today is f (3,2):
(1 + f(3.2))2 = [(1+f (3,1))(1 + f(4,1))]
= (1 + r (5))5 / (1 + r (3))3
LOS b
Section 2.1
A. Statement 1
B. Statement 2
C. Statement 3
KEY=B
LOS a
Section 2.2
A. Yes.
KEY=C
In our example, r(1) is the one-year spot rate 2.041%. This process
continues until all spot rates are derived. Note that in his explanation in the
vignette, Klopp incorrectly states the first term in the equation as
LOS c
Section 2.1
A. Scenario 1
B. Scenario 2
C. Scenario 3
KEY=C
LOS d, e
A. Yes.
KEY = C
Section 1, 2, 3.1
LOS a
A. $16.60.
B. $29.04.
C. $32.66.
KEY = A
RN Probability equation:
c ++ Max ( 0, u 2 S
= = − X ) Max 0,1.352 (100 )=
− 100 82.25
=c −− Max ( 0, d 2=
S − X ) Max 0, (.752 ×100 )=
− 100 0
c PV (π 2 c ++ ) + ( 2π (1 − π ) c −+ ) + (1 − π ) c −−
2
=
2
1
(.45 × 82.25 ) + ( 2 (.45 ) × (1 − .45 )1.25 ) + (1 − π × 0 )
2 2
=c
1 + .02
p = c + PV(X) – S
2
1
p= 16.604 + 100 / − 100= $12.720
1 + .02
[u − d ] /1.0 =
π= [1.357 − .75] /1.00 =
.60
c PV (π 2 c ++ ) + ( 2π (1 − π ) c −+ ) + (1 − π ) c −−
2
=
2
1
(.60 × 82.25 ) + ( 2 (.60 ) × (1 − .60 )1.25 ) + (1 − π × 0 )
2 2
=c
1 + .02
= 0] 29.037
c .9611688 × [ 29.61 + 0.60 += = $29.04 C is incorrect. The 𝑐𝑐 +− figure of
c PV (π 2 c ++ ) + ( 2π (1 − π ) c −+ ) + (1 − π ) c −−
2
=
2
1
(.45 × 82.25 ) + ( 2 (.45 ) × (1 − .45 ) 35 ) + (1 − π × 0 )
2 2
=c
1 + .02
LOS b
With respect to the replicating strategies, which scenario is most likely correct?
A. Scenario 1
B. Scenario 2
C. Scenario 3
KEY = B
B is correct. The $19.25 price of the call option exceeds its value of
$15.44, as calculated based on both the no-arbitrage approach and the
expectations approach. Accordingly, the replicating strategy per 100 shares is
to (1) sell 1 option, (2) buy h shares, and (3) borrow h * (up/down factor price +
up/down call payoff).
No-arbitrage approach:
c+ + c− 35 − 0 35
Hedge ratio=
h = = = .5833
+
S −S −
135 − 75 60
( )
Call Option value c= hS + PV ( −hS − + c − ) = .5833 ×100 + ( −.5833 × 75 + 0 ) /1.02= 52.33 + ( −42.89 )= $15.44
Expectations approach:
Call Option value c= PV π c + + (1 − π ) c − = (.45 × 35 + .55 × 0 ) /1.02= 15.75 /1.02= $15.44
A is incorrect. The $19.25 price of the call option exceeds its value of
$15.44, as calculated based on both the no-arbitrage approach and the
expectations approach. Accordingly, the replicating strategy per 100 shares is
to (1) sell 1 option, (2) buy h shares, and (3) borrow h * (up/down factor price +
up/down call payoff).
C is incorrect. The $19.25 price of the call option exceeds its value of
$15.44, as calculated based on both the no-arbitrage approach and the
expectations approach. Accordingly, the replicating strategy per 100 shares is
to (1) sell 1 option, (2) buy h shares, and (3) borrow h * (up/down factor price +
up/down call payoff).
Section 3.1
LOS c
The no-arbitrage value of a two-year American-style put option is most likely
closest to:
A. $12.72.
B. $13.48.
C. $13.75.
KEY = B
Stock Up S+ 135.000
European Style
Item Value
Put 0.000
HR - Stock 75.0000
0.39318
Put 43.750
American Style
Item Value
Put 0.000
HR - Stock 75.000
0.41667
Put 25.000 Item Value
Put 43.750
Section 3.2
LOS b
Statement 2: Just as the value of a default-free bond equals its face value at
maturity, the value of the commodity future converges to the physical
spot price at delivery.
Heating
Crude Oil Oil Lumber
When discussing unique factors driving price changes, the three commodity
pricing factors Ahn notes would most likely have the smallest impact on
the price of:
A. gold.
B. cotton.
C. copper.
KEY = A
LOS a
A. Statement 1.
B. Statement 2.
C. Statement 3.
KEY = A
Section 2.3
LOS c
Based on the data in Exhibit 1, Ahn would most likely conclude that:
KEY = C
C is correct. Ahn would conclude that the crude oil futures markets are
in a state of backwardation, which exists when the spot price exceeds the
futures price, as it does in the January crude oil futures contract.
Section 3.2
LOS e
Using the crude oil futures prices in Exhibit 1, who would most likely account
for the lowest roll return until March?
KEY = C
Section 3.3.2
LOS h
Attribute 1: The APT model makes stronger assumptions than the CAPM.
Attribute 2: APT makes the assumption that investors can form portfolios that
eliminate asset-specific risk.
Attribute 3: APT makes the assumption that arbitrage opportunities exist
among well-diversified portfolios.
A. Attribute 1
B. Attribute 2
C. Attribute 3
Key = B
Section 3
LOS a
A. Statistical
B. Fundamental
C. Macroeconomic
Key = B
Section 4
LOS d
A. 7.5%.
B. 9.0%.
C. 10.5%.
Key = B
B is correct. The formula for determining the expected portfolio return
from the information provided is:
E ( Rp ) =
RF + β p,1RMRF + β p, 2 SMB + β p,3HML + β p, 4WML ( + error )
E ( Rp
= ) 1.5% + (1.01)( 3.11% ) + ( 0.45)( 2.11% ) + ( 0.95)( 3.75% ) + ( −0.09 )(1.56% ) +=
0 9.013%
A is incorrect. This return calculation does not include the risk-free rate
of 1.5%.
C is incorrect. This return calculation does not include the risk-free rate
or adjust the returns for the factor sensitivities.
Section 3
LOS c
Is Kwon most likely accurate in his comments regarding how the portfolios
have performed?
A. Yes.
Key = A
Section 5
LOS e
Reason 1: The reliability of VaR can be easily verified through a process known
as backtesting.
Reason 2: VaR takes portfolio liquidity into account when some of the assets
are relatively illiquid.
Liquidity Gap √ √
VaR √ √
Tracking Error √ √
Leverage √ √
Scenario Analysis √ √
Key Rate Duration √ √
Active Share √
Operational Risk √ √
Capital
Which of the reasons O’Callahan lists in support of VaR is most likely correct?
A. Reason 1
B. Reason 2
C. Reason 3
Key = A
A is correct. Reason 1 that O’Callahan made in support of VaR, “The
reliability of VaR can be easily verified through a process known as
backtesting,” is correct. The reliability of VaR can be verified easily and VaR is
capable of easily being verified through backtesting. To determine whether a
5% VaR estimate is reliable, one can determine over a historical period of time
whether estimated losses were incurred, subject to reasonable statistical
variation.
Section 2
LOS d
In its current form, the 5% daily parametric VaR estimate for the Muckroth
Alpha Fund is most likely closest to:
A. €3.36 million.
B. €4.68 million.
C. €5.63 million.
Key = C
C is correct. In its current form, the daily parametric VaR estimate for
the Muckroth Alpha Fund is closest to €5.63 million.
To calculate the daily 5% parametric VaR from the data provided, use the
following steps:
Step 5: Multiply step 4 by the value of the portfolio = €315 million × 0.017867
= €5.628 million
Section 2
LOS c
Which extension of VaR would O’Callahan most likely utilize to satisfy Ryan’s
request?
A. Relative VaR
B. Conditional VaR
C. Incremental VaR
Key = C
Section 2
LOS e
A. Bank
B. Hedge fund
C. Pension plan
Key = A
Section 4
LOS j