CSI CSC2 - Canadian Securities Course Exam 2

The approximate price change of a bond due to a change in interest rates can be estimated using the formula:

Price Change (%)=−Duration×ΔInterest Rate\text{Price Change (\%)} = - \text{Duration} \times \Delta \text{Interest Rate} Price Change (%) = −Duration × ΔInterest Rate

Given:

Duration = 5

Current Price = $103

Change in Interest Rate ( Δ\Delta Δ ) = 2% or 0.02

Price Change (%)=−5×0.02=−0.10 (−10%)\text{Price Change (\%)} = -5 \times 0.02 = -0.10 \, (-10\%) Price Change (%) = −5 × 0.02 = −0.10 ( −10% )

The new price is calculated as:

New Price=Current Price×(1+Price Change)=103×(1−0.10)=103×0.90=97.85\text{New Price} = \text{Current Price} \times (1 + \text{Price Change}) = 103 \times (1 - 0.10) = 103 \times 0.90 = 97.85 New Price = Current Price × ( 1 + Price Change ) = 103 × ( 1 − 0.10 ) = 103 × 0.90 = 97.85

A. $108.15 and B. $113.30: These represent price increases, which are incorrect for rising interest rates.

D. $92.70: This reflects a greater-than-actual price drop, which is inconsistent with the duration-based calculation.

Convertible preferred shares combine preferred share income features with the option to convert into common shares. Their attractiveness depends heavily on the outlook for the issuer’s common stock because the conversion privilege becomes valuable only if the common shares perform well. If the common stock outlook has been downgraded, the conversion feature becomes less attractive and the investor may be deterred from buying the convertible preferred shares. A long conversion privilege is generally positive because it gives the investor more time for the common shares to appreciate. A high preferred dividend coverage ratio is also favourable because it suggests stronger dividend protection. Therefore, the downgraded common stock outlook is the best deterrent.

The inflation rate is calculated using the formula:

Inflation Rate=CPIcurrent−CPIpreviousCPIprevious×100\text{Inflation Rate} = \frac{\text{CPI}_{\text{current}} - \text{CPI}_{\text{previous}}}{\text{CPI}_{\text{previous}}} \times 100 Inflation Rate = CPIprevious ​ CPIcurrent ​ − CPIprevious ​​ × 100

Substitute the given values:

Inflation Rate=125.9−123.0123.0×100=2.9123.0×100≈2.36%\text{Inflation Rate} = \frac{125.9 - 123.0}{123.0} \times 100 = \frac{2.9}{123.0} \times 100 \approx 2.36\% Inflation Rate = 123.0125.9 − 123.0 ​ × 100 = 123.02.9 ​ × 100 ≈ 2.36%

B. 2.30%: This is close but results from rounding errors or miscalculation.

C. 0.98% and D. 1.02%: These values are far below the correct inflation rate calculated using the formula.

A segregated fund can bypass probate when a beneficiary is named because it is an insurance contract rather than a regular investment fund. Upon death, the proceeds can be paid directly to the named beneficiary instead of passing through the estate. This can reduce delays, preserve privacy, and potentially avoid probate fees depending on the province. Mutual funds and exchange-traded funds normally form part of the estate unless held in a registered plan with a named beneficiary or structured through another estate-planning arrangement. Structured products also generally do not automatically bypass probate. The probate advantage is one of the important estate-planning features of segregated funds, along with maturity and death benefit guarantees. Therefore, Option A is correct.

An interest rate forward agreement (FRA) is an over-the-counter (OTC) derivative contract. Unlike exchange-traded derivatives, OTC contracts are not centrally cleared, meaning there is no intermediary to guarantee performance. This increases counterparty (default) risk, making FRAs inherently riskier than exchange-traded contracts.

A. Individual investor buying shares on an exchange during the ex-rights period: This is a standard transaction involving equity securities, not derivatives, and carries no default risk.

C. Exchange-traded equity option contract between an individual investor and a dealer: Exchange-traded derivatives are backed by a clearinghouse, which mitigates default risk.

D. Individual investor entering a futures contract with an institutional investor: Futures contracts are also exchange-traded and centrally cleared, reducing default risk.