Reading 2-V: Standards of Professional Conduct & Guida

public, Robert, research, 2009, class

Q1. Robert Hamilton, a CFA candidate, is preparing a research report on Pets-R-Us for public distribution. Hamilton's preliminary report contains unfavorable earnings forecasts for the next four quarters. As part of his analysis, Hamilton met with Linda Brisson, the president of Pets-R-Us, and asked her to review the preliminary report for factual inaccuracies. Brisson revised Hamilton's earnings forecasts so that the quarterly earnings showed an upward trend and resulted in positive earnings by the fourth quarter. Hamilton included the revised earnings figures in his report without further review. Although the final report included the basic characteristics of Pets-R-Us, it emphasized certain areas such as projected quarterly earnings but only briefly touched on others. According to CFA Institute Standards of Professional Conduct on research reports, Hamilton:

A) violated the Standard because the report did not give similar attention to all areas but instead emphasized quarterly earnings at the expense of other areas.

B) did not violate the Standard.

C) violated the Standard because he did not thoroughly review and analyze any information provided by Brisson.

Q2. Bob Hatfield, CFA, has his own money management firm with two clients. The accounts of the two clients are equal in value. It is Hatfield’s opinion that interest rates will fall in the near future. Based upon this, Hatfield begins increasing the bond allocation of each portfolio. In order to comply with Standard V(B), Communication with Clients and Prospective Clients, the analyst needs to:

A) inform the clients of the change and tell them it is based upon an opinion and not a fact.

B) make sure that the change is identical for both clients.

C) perform both of these functions.

Q3. Roger Halpert, CFA, prepares a company research report in which he recommends a strong "buy." He has been careful to ensure that his report complies with the CFA Institute Standard on research reports. According to CFA Institute Standards of Professional Conduct, which of the following statements about how Halpert can communicate the report is most correct?

A) Halpert can transmit his report by computer on the Internet.

B) Halpert can make his report in person.

C) Halpert can make his report in person, by telephone, or by computer on the Internet.