CSI IFC - Investment Funds in Canada (IFC) Exam

The investor in this scenario is concerned about fund expenses (MERs) and prefers a product with lower costs and potential for higher returns.

According to the CSC materials, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are known for having:

Significantly lower management expense ratios (MERs) compared to mutual funds and most other managed products, because they are generally passively managed and do not bear the high costs of active portfolio management.

Lower trading costs due to the in-kind creation and redemption process, which reduces the need for the fund itself to buy and sell securities.

Opportunities for higher returns as lower costs directly enhance net returns to investors.

In contrast:

Segregated funds (B) are insurance products with higher fees due to guarantees.

Hedge funds (C) typically charge very high fees (often 2% management + 20% performance fees).

Liquid alternatives (D) also come with higher MERs and are designed for diversification and risk management, not necessarily for low cost.

Therefore, the most appropriate choice is Exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as they best meet the investor’s preference for low MERs and potential for higher returns.

The national self-regulatory organization (SRO) for investment dealers is the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC). An SRO is a non-governmental organization that sets and enforces rules and standards for its members in a specific industry or profession. IIROC is an SRO that oversees all investment dealers and their trading activity in Canada’s debt and equity markets. IIROC’s mandate is to protect investors and support healthy capital markets by ensuring high standards of conduct, competence, and compliance among its members and their representatives. Therefore, option D is correct regarding the national SRO for investment dealers. The other options are not correct or relevant to the question. Option A is false because there is no such organization as the National Securities Commission in Canada; rather, there are provincial and territorial securities regulators that form the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), which is a council of securities regulators that coordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets. Option B is false because the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA) is not the national SRO for investment dealers; rather, it is the national SRO for mutual fund dealers and their representatives in Canada. Option C is false because the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is not the national SRO for investment dealers; rather, it is a council of securities regulators that coordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets. References: [IIROC - Home], [SROs | GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca], [CSA - Home]

The current ratio is a liquidity ratio that measures a company’s ability to pay its short-term obligations with its current assets. A higher current ratio indicates that the company has more current assets than current liabilities, which means it can meet its short-term obligations more easily. A lower current ratio indicates that the company has less current assets than current liabilities, which means it may face liquidity problems or default risk. Therefore, the information given in the question indicates that Truesteel is better able to meet its short-term financial obligations than Strongco. The current ratio does not necessarily reflect the profitability, market outlook, or debt financing of the companies. References: Current Ratio Explained With Formula and Examples, Current Ratio Formula, Current ratio

The dividend tax credit for Canadian dividends is calculated based on the grossed-up dividend amount. For eligible dividends, the gross-up is 38%. The taxable amount for $1,200 in dividends is $1,200 × 1.38 = $1,656. The dividend tax credit is 15.02% of the grossed-up amount: $1,656 × 15.02% = $248.73. The feedback from the document confirms:

"The taxable amount of the dividend is the income received plus a 38% gross-up amount. In this example, $1,200 + ($1,200 × 38%) = $1,656. The dividend tax credit is 15.02% of the grossed-up amount, in this example, $1,656 × 15.02% = $248.73."

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

 If Ellen receives the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS), Jeff may be eligible for the Canada Learning Bond (CLB). The CLB is a grant of up to $2,000 that the Government of Canada deposits into a child’s RESP to help low-income families start saving for their child’s education2. The CLB does not require any contributions from the parents. To be eligible for the CLB, the child must have been born after December 31, 2003 and the family must receive the NCBS, which is part of the Canada Child Benefit3. The other statements are false. If Jeff qualifies for additional CESG, his CESG lifetime maximum increases to $7,200, not $10,000. If Jeff decides not to pursue a post-secondary education, he cannot keep the CESG; it must be returned to the government. George may open an RESP for Jeff and it will qualify to receive CESGs, as long as George is a resident of Canada and has a valid social insurance number. References: Unit 8: Retirement, Canada Learning Bond, [Canada Education Savings Grant], [RESP Withdrawals], [RESP Providers]

Beta is a measure of the systematic risk of an investment, which is the risk that is related to the movements of the market as a whole. Beta compares the volatility of an investment to the volatility of the market. A beta of 1 means that the investment has the same level of risk as the market, and it tends to move in the same direction and magnitude as the market. A beta of 0 means that the investment has no correlation with the market, and it is unaffected by market fluctuations. A beta greater than 1 means that the investment is more risky than the market, and it tends to amplify the market movements. A beta less than 1 means that the investment is less risky than the market, and it tends to dampen the market movements. Therefore, if an investor was looking for an investment with a risk equal to that of the market, she would want a beta of 1. References:

Canadian Investment Funds Course (CIFC) Study Guide, Chapter 4: Mutual Funds, Section 4.5: Risk and Return of Mutual Funds, page 4-231

Beta Definition - Investopedia2