CSI CSC1 - Canadian Securities Course Exam 1

Dividends are taxed at a preferential rate in Canada due to thedividend tax credit, which reduces the effective tax rate on dividend income. This is intended to prevent double taxation because corporations have already paid taxes on their profits before distributing dividends to shareholders.

B. Dividends from preferred shares are ineligible for the dividend tax credit: This is incorrect; dividends from both common and preferred shares are eligible for the dividend tax credit.

C. Stock dividends are treated differently than regular cash dividends for tax purposes: Stock dividends are generally taxed similarly to cash dividends.

D. Reinvested dividends are non-taxable to the shareholders: Reinvested dividends are taxable in the year they are earned, even if reinvested.

A rate-reset preferred share pays a fixed dividend rate that is periodically reset based on a predetermined benchmark, such as the yield to maturity on the five-year Government of Canada bond, plus a fixed spread. This type of share offers a balance between fixed-income predictability and adjustments for changing interest rates.

References:

Volume 1, Chapter 8:Preferred Sharesunder "Types of Preferred Shares" explains rate-reset preferred shares and their connection to benchmark yields like the five-year Government of Canada bond (CSC Volume 1, Chapter 8)​.

When acting as aprincipal, investment dealers buy and sell securities for their own account. They generate revenue by earning aspread, which is the difference between the price at which they buy securities (bid price) and the price at which they sell them (ask price). This is distinct from their role as an agent, where revenue is earned through commissions on trades executed on behalf of clients.

A. Through commissions: Commissions are earned when acting as an agent, not as a principal.

B. Through tracers: This term does not apply to revenue generation.

C. Through brokerage charges: Brokerage charges relate to fees imposed on client accounts, not principal trading spreads.

The description of a company's fixed assets, including details about their nature, valuation methods, and depreciation, is typically found in thenotes to the financial statements. Thesenotes provide additional context, explanations, and details about the figures presented in the financial statements. The statement of financial position will list fixed assets, but the comprehensive description is found in the notes.

References:

Volume 1, Chapter 11:Corporations and Their Financial Statements, section on "Notes to the Financial Statements" describes how notes are used to provide critical details about items in the financial statements, including fixed assets​.

Provincial savings bonds are a suitable option for an investor seeking a guaranteed return over a fixed period, such as seven years. These bonds are backed by the credit of the issuing provincial government and provide a stable and secure investment, ensuring predictable returns. They are often issued during specific sales campaigns and offer safety comparable to federal bonds but tailored to provincial residents.

Other options:

Preferred shares: Provide fixed dividends but do not guarantee returns.

Common shares: Subject to market risk and do not offer guaranteed returns.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs): Can track bonds or equities but are subject to market fluctuations and do not guarantee returns.

References:

Volume 1, Chapter 6:Fixed-Income Securities, section on "Provincial and Municipal Bonds" explains the features and security of provincial savings bonds​.

Futures contracts are standardized agreements to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a future date. They are unique because they can be traded on regulated exchanges, such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), or over-the-counter (OTC), where counterparties negotiate terms directly.

This dual trading mechanism ensures flexibility and accessibility for market participants, differentiating futures from other derivatives like forwards, which are typically OTC-only.

Study Document References:

Volume 1, Chapter 10:Derivatives and Features of Futures, including how they are traded​​.

Provincial savings bondsare available for purchase only during specific periods, often during annual campaigns. They are a secure investment option backed by the issuing provincial government and are available only to residents of the issuing province. They are not issued internationally and do not mature every six months.

References:

Volume 1, Chapter 6:Fixed-Income Securities, section on "Provincial and Municipal Securities" discusses the features and issuance timing of provincial savings bonds​.

Stock index performance is best measured usingpercentage changesrather than absolute values like point changes, relative values, or share price changes. This is because percentage changes provide a normalized measure of performance, allowing for meaningful comparisons over time or between different indexes, regardless of their starting levels or the specific units in which the index is expressed.

Comparative Analysis: Percentage changes allow investors to compare the performance of indexes with vastly different base values or compositions. For example, a 100-point movement on a low-value index might be significant, while the same point movement on a high-value index might be trivial.

Normalized Returns: They normalize the performance, enabling easier tracking of relative gains or losses over time.

International Relevance: With global markets often using indexes based on different currencies or methodologies, percentage changes standardize comparisons across markets.

A. Relative value changes: This term lacks a precise definition in the context of performance measurement and is not commonly used in evaluating index performance.

B. Point changes: While point changes are informative for intraday movements or headlines, they lack context without knowing the index's value. For example, a 50-point drop could represent 0.5% or 5%, depending on the index level.

C. Share price changes: This is specific to individual securities and does not apply to indexes, which aggregate multiple stocks.

Why Percentage Changes?Incorrect Options:Reference from the CSC® Study Material:The Canadian Securities Course explains the role of indexes in tracking market performance and highlights the importance of percentage changes for measuring and interpreting their performance. This is because percentage changes provide consistency and relevance when comparing different periods or indexes with varying base values (CSC Volume 1, Chapter 8, "Stock Indexes and Averages")​.

Key Concepts Related to Index Performance:

Market indexes represent a basket of securities designed to reflect the overall performance of a specific market or sector.

Percentage changes effectively capture market sentiment and performance trends.

Common Canadian market indexes such as the S&P/TSX Composite Index and international indexes like the S&P 500 often report movements in both points and percentages, with the latter providing a more accurate representation of market dynamics​​.

This understanding is fundamental for financial professionals analyzing market trends, investment performance, and conducting portfolio management.

References:

CSC Volume 1, Chapter 8, "Equity Securities: Common and Preferred Shares – Stock Indexes and Averages"​.

CSC Volume 1, Chapter 7, "Fixed-Income Securities: Pricing and Trading – Bond Indexes" for comparative index concepts​.

Profit from a short sale is calculated as the difference between the selling price and the covering price, multiplied by the number of shares:

Profit=(12.75−10.15)×1,500=2.60×1,500=3,900\text{Profit} = (12.75 - 10.15) \times 1,500 = 2.60 \times 1,500 = 3,900Profit=(12.75−10.15)×1,500=2.60×1,500=3,900

References:Volume 1, Chapter 9 ("Short Selling")​.

When foreign interest rates rise, capital may flow out of Canada as investors seek higher returns abroad. To counter this, the Bank of Canada may increase short-term interest rates to make Canadian assets more attractive and maintain the value of the Canadian dollar. This helps stabilize the exchange rate and reduces the risk of imported inflation.

Such actions demonstrate the central bank's role in managing monetary policy to preserve economic stability and maintain currency confidence.

Study Document References:

Volume 1, Chapter 5:Monetary Policy and the Role of the Bank of Canada​​.