CSI Updated IFC Exam Questions and Answers by olly

Current yield and effective yield are two ways of measuring the total return for money market funds. Current yield reflects the income earned on a money market fund for the most recent 14 day period, annualized. Effective yield incorporates the compounding effect of reinvesting the income earned on a money market fund over a year. Both current yield and effective yield are displayed in the performance reports of money market funds, as they provide different information to investors.

References = Canadian Investment Funds Course, Unit 5: Types of Investments, Lesson 4: Money Market Instruments, Section 5.4.3: Total Return for Money Market Funds1; CIFC prepkit, Chapter 5: Types of Investments, Question 5.4.3 2

The purpose of holding money market instruments for non-money market mutual funds is to provide liquidity for the fund. If the portfolio manager has an immediate need for cash, such as to pay expenses or meet redemption requests, money market instruments are relatively easy to liquidate because they have short maturities and low credit risk. Money market instruments do not primarily generate investment income that provides investors with preferential tax treatment, as interest income from money market instruments is fully taxable at the investor’s marginal tax rate. Money market instruments are not purchased by non-money market funds to satisfy the regulatory requirement of fund diversification, as there is no such requirement for mutual funds. Money market instruments do not ensure that the fair market value of a mutual fund will not drop below a minimal market value, as money market instruments can also fluctuate in value depending on interest rate changes and supply and demand factors. References: Money Market Instruments

The “Client’s Interest First” standard requires that Dealing Representatives act in the best interest of their clients and place their clients’ interests before their own or their employer’s interests. This means that they must provide clear, accurate, and complete information to their clients about the mutual funds they recommend, including the costs and fees associated with them and how they affect the investment performance. Presenting a fund’s historical performance to anticipate its future return is misleading and does not serve the client’s interest. Using a risk-based approach to select a mutual fund is part of the suitability assessment, but it does not necessarily put the client’s interest first. Accurately documenting the KYC information is important for compliance purposes, but it does not ensure that the recommendation is in the client’s best interest.

Canadian Investment Funds Course, Chapter 8: Suitability and Know Your Client1

A passively managed fund is a type of investment fund that follows a predetermined strategy or rule to track the performance of a market index, such as the S&P 500, or a specific sector, such as technology or health care. A passively managed fund does not involve active decision-making by the fund manager, who simply replicates the composition and weighting of the index or sector. A passively managed fund aims to match the return and risk of the index or sector, rather than outperform it. A passively managed fund typically has lower fees and expenses than an actively managed fund, as it requires less research, trading, and oversight.

An exchange traded fund (ETF) is a type of passively managed fund that trades on a stock exchange like a common stock. An ETF holds a basket of securities that mirrors an index or sector, and its price fluctuates throughout the day based on supply and demand. An ETF allows investors to gain exposure to a diversified portfolio of securities with low costs, high liquidity, and tax efficiency.

A commodity pool is a type of investment fund that invests in futures contracts or options on commodities, such as oil, gold, or wheat. A commodity pool is usually actively managed by a commodity trading advisor (CTA), who uses various strategies to generate returns from the price movements of commodities.

A hedge fund is a type of investment fund that employs sophisticated and often aggressive strategies to achieve high returns and reduce risk. A hedge fund is usually actively managed by a hedge fund manager, who has wide discretion and flexibility to use various instruments, such as derivatives, leverage, short selling, arbitrage, etc. A hedge fund is typically available only to accredited investors who meet certain income and net worth criteria.

A labour-sponsored investment fund (LSIF) is a type of investment fund that provides venture capital to small and medium-sized Canadian businesses, while offering tax benefits to investors. An LSIF is usually actively managed by a labour union or an organization affiliated with a labour union, who selects the companies to invest in based on their potential for growth and job creation.

Canadian Investment Funds Course, Chapter 4: Types of Investments1