土豆妮

An analyst finds a stock with historical returns that are not correlated with interest rate changes. The analyst writes a report for his clients that have large allocations in fixed-income instruments and emphasizes the observed lack of correlation. He feels the stock would be of little value to investors whose portfolios are comprised primariliy of equities. The clients with allocations of fixed income instruments are the only clients to see the report. According to Standard V(B), Communication with Clients and Prospective Clients, the analyst has:

A) not violated the Standard.

B) violated the Standard concerning fair dealings with all clients.

C) violated the article in the Standard concerning facts and opinions.

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Recommending a stock whose return is uncorrelated with interest rate changes is appropriate for the clients described in the problem. Emphasizing the lack of correlation is appropriate as long as the analyst makes no guarantees concerning the relationship in the future. Reporting historical correlation is a presentation of fact, and is not in violation. The analyst is free to show the report only to investors for whom the investment is appropriate.

土豆妮

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

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

C) perform both of these functions.

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According to Standard V(B), the analyst must inform the clients of the change and tell them it is based upon an opinion and not a fact. Making an identical change in two portfolios may be a violation of this standard if the needs of the clients are not identical.

土豆妮

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 he did not thoroughly review and analyze any information provided by Brisson.

B) 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.

C) did not violate the Standard.

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Standard V(B) permits Hamilton to ask company management to review his report for factual inaccuracies, but Hamilton should have taken care to thoroughly review and analyze any information provided by the company. Hamilton is not required to give equal emphasis to all areas but can emphasize certain areas, touch briefly on others, and omit certain aspects deemed unimportant.