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Reading 4: CFA Institute Research Objectivity Standards L

1Kevin Bryan is a financial analyst for Summit Investments. Bryan recently completed a research report recommending the stock of Independence Medical Company. Bryan failed to disclose that he has a material ownership interest in Independence Medical through a family trust.

Kim Scott, a CFA Charterholder with Overland Associates, is invited to attend an investment management conference in the Cayman Islands. The sponsor, one of Scott’s clients, has offered to reimburse Scott for all of her expenses. Scott accepts the sponsor’s offer and discloses the arrangement to her employer in writing.

Based on the CFA Institute Research Objectivity Standards, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A)   Both Summit and Overland are in violation of the Research Objectivity Standards.

B)   Neither Summit nor Overland is in violation of the Research Objectivity Standards.

C)   Summit is in violation of the Research Objectivity Standards but Overland is not in violation.

D)   Overland is in violation of the Research Objectivity Standards but Summit is not in violation.

2Alexis Capital is a full service investment banking and advisory firm. Jason Beech, head of Alexis’ investment banking division, has just received a research report on a national supply-chain management firm which has used Alexis as the underwriter in several public debt offerings. While reading through the report Beech realizes that the sales projections for the firm have been substantially overestimated in the short-term forecast. Beech calls the author of the report, Steve Henderson, a sell-side equity analyst, to inform him of the error. Henderson confirms that there was a slight error in the forecasting model and agrees to change the sales forecast before publishing the report the following day. Do Alexis Capital’s policies violate any CFA Institute Research Objectivity Standards?

A)   No, since the firm has a clear review procedure that minimizes conflicts of interest.

B)   Yes.

C)   No, since the firm is able to objectively ensure the accuracy of investment research.

D)   No, since the firm provides multiple layers of review before making research publicly available.

3Perry Smith is a research analyst for Hugley Financial Corp. For the past several weeks, Smith has diligently researched the economic condition of BNS Inc., an international pharmaceuticals manufacturer. Smith has determined that the BNS’ secondary common stock offering is a strong buy and has disseminated this opinion to Hugley’s research subscribers. One month after issuing the recommendation, the price of BNS’ stock had risen by over 13 percent. The director of Hugley’s investment banking division, which underwrote BNS’ secondary offering, called to thank Smith for his participation in the offering and to notify him he will receive a stock option bonus next week as a result of the outstanding performance of BNS’ stock. Has Hugley Financial Corp. violated any CFA Institute Research Objectivity Standards?

A)   No.

B)   Yes, since the analyst’s bonus was inappropriately structured as stock options.

C)   Yes, since the performance of the secondary offering led to a bonus for the analyst.

D)   Yes, since the analyst did not establish a reasonable and adequate basis for his recommendation.

4Greg Hibbert, CFA, is working with his firm’s compliance department to implement policies and procedures that comply with the requirements of the CFA Institute Research Objectivity Standards (ROS). Hibbert has informed the compliance officer that in order to meet the ROS requirements, the firm must require a written annual update of personal investments held by covered investment personnel or their families, and must provide a list of activities that violate the firm’s policies and the accompanying disciplinary actions to all of the firm’s clients and prospects. Are Hibbert’s statements regarding personal investments and the disclosure of violating activities CORRECT?

 

Personal Investments

Violating Activities

 

A)        No                               No

B)        Yes                              Yes

C)        No                               Yes

D)        Yes                              No

5All of the following procedures are recommended to comply with CFA Institute Research Objectivity Standards, EXCEPT:

A)   update research recommendations annually.

B)   prohibit communication between the research employees and investment banking employees before the publication of a research report.

C)   restrict employee trades 30 calendar days before and 5 calendar days after the release of a research report.

D)   avoid one-dimensional rating systems and provide a complete description of the firm’s rating system upon request.

答案和详解如下:

1Kevin Bryan is a financial analyst for Summit Investments. Bryan recently completed a research report recommending the stock of Independence Medical Company. Bryan failed to disclose that he has a material ownership interest in Independence Medical through a family trust.

Kim Scott, a CFA Charterholder with Overland Associates, is invited to attend an investment management conference in the Cayman Islands. The sponsor, one of Scott’s clients, has offered to reimburse Scott for all of her expenses. Scott accepts the sponsor’s offer and discloses the arrangement to her employer in writing.

Based on the CFA Institute Research Objectivity Standards, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A)   Both Summit and Overland are in violation of the Research Objectivity Standards.

B)   Neither Summit nor Overland is in violation of the Research Objectivity Standards.

C)   Summit is in violation of the Research Objectivity Standards but Overland is not in violation.

D)   Overland is in violation of the Research Objectivity Standards but Summit is not in violation.

The correct answer was C)    

Summit is in violation because policies and procedures were not in place to prevent Bryan from recommending a stock without disclosing a potential conflict of interest. Overland is not in violation. Scott can accept reimbursement since the sponsor is a client and the reimbursement was disclosed to Overland.

2Alexis Capital is a full service investment banking and advisory firm. Jason Beech, head of Alexis’ investment banking division, has just received a research report on a national supply-chain management firm which has used Alexis as the underwriter in several public debt offerings. While reading through the report Beech realizes that the sales projections for the firm have been substantially overestimated in the short-term forecast. Beech calls the author of the report, Steve Henderson, a sell-side equity analyst, to inform him of the error. Henderson confirms that there was a slight error in the forecasting model and agrees to change the sales forecast before publishing the report the following day. Do Alexis Capital’s policies violate any CFA Institute Research Objectivity Standards?

A)   No, since the firm has a clear review procedure that minimizes conflicts of interest.

B)   Yes.

C)   No, since the firm is able to objectively ensure the accuracy of investment research.

D)   No, since the firm provides multiple layers of review before making research publicly available.

The correct answer was B)

CFA Institute Research Objectivity Standards require firms to institute procedures that prevent investment banking divisions from having direct authority over the research department to review, modify, approve, or reject its research as this poses a threat to the independence and objectivity of a firm’s research.

3Perry Smith is a research analyst for Hugley Financial Corp. For the past several weeks, Smith has diligently researched the economic condition of BNS Inc., an international pharmaceuticals manufacturer. Smith has determined that the BNS’ secondary common stock offering is a strong buy and has disseminated this opinion to Hugley’s research subscribers. One month after issuing the recommendation, the price of BNS’ stock had risen by over 13 percent. The director of Hugley’s investment banking division, which underwrote BNS’ secondary offering, called to thank Smith for his participation in the offering and to notify him he will receive a stock option bonus next week as a result of the outstanding performance of BNS’ stock. Has Hugley Financial Corp. violated any CFA Institute Research Objectivity Standards?

A)   No.

B)   Yes, since the analyst’s bonus was inappropriately structured as stock options.

C)   Yes, since the performance of the secondary offering led to a bonus for the analyst.

D)   Yes, since the analyst did not establish a reasonable and adequate basis for his recommendation.

The correct answer was C)

CFA Institute Research Objectivity Standards (ROS) require that an analyst’s compensation not be directly linked with any investment banking activities on which the analyst collaborated. The stock option bonus was inappropriately based upon the performance of the secondary offering of BNS stock and is a violation of the ROS. The ROS have also been violated by Hugley’s lack of procedures to separate the research and investment banking functions of the firm.

4Greg Hibbert, CFA, is working with his firm’s compliance department to implement policies and procedures that comply with the requirements of the CFA Institute Research Objectivity Standards (ROS). Hibbert has informed the compliance officer that in order to meet the ROS requirements, the firm must require a written annual update of personal investments held by covered investment personnel or their families, and must provide a list of activities that violate the firm’s policies and the accompanying disciplinary actions to all of the firm’s clients and prospects. Are Hibbert’s statements regarding personal investments and the disclosure of violating activities CORRECT?

 

Personal Investments

Violating Activities

 

A)        No                               No

B)        Yes                              Yes

C)        No                               Yes

D)        Yes                              No

The correct answer was A)    

Neither of Hibbert’s recommendations to his compliance officer are specific requirements of the ROS. They are recommended policies designed to achieve compliance. While the ROS requires a firm claiming compliance to “manage covered employee’s’ personal investments and trading activities’ effectively”, there is no specific requirement related to reporting personal holdings. In addition, firms claiming compliance with the ROS are not explicitly required to disclose to clients and prospects activities that are violations and the resulting punishment for such activities. It is recommended, however, that firms disclose this information to clients and prospects.

5All of the following procedures are recommended to comply with CFA Institute Research Objectivity Standards, EXCEPT:

A)   update research recommendations annually.

B)   prohibit communication between the research employees and investment banking employees before the publication of a research report.

C)   restrict employee trades 30 calendar days before and 5 calendar days after the release of a research report.

D)   avoid one-dimensional rating systems and provide a complete description of the firm’s rating system upon request.

The correct answer was A)    

Research reports should be updated regularly. Quarterly updates are recommended by the CFA Institute Research Objectivity Standards.

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