V1 Exam 2 PM

CFA Level II
Questions #1-6 of 60
Use the following information to answer Questions 61 through 66.
Pat Wilson, CFA, is the chief compliance officer for Excess Investments, a global asset management and investment
banking services company. Wilson is reviewing two investment reports written by Peter Holly, CFA, an analyst and
portfolio manager who has worked for Excess for four years. Holly's first report under compliance review is a strong buy
recommendation for BlueNote, Inc., a musical instrument manufacturer. The report states that the buy recommendation is
applicable for the next 6 to 12 months with an average level of risk and a sustainable price target of $24 for the entire time
period. Further, the report states that the risk analysis is based on 95% VaR (calculated using the parametric method) and
that price declines over the investment horizon should thus be limited to 5% of the current price.
Holly informs Wilson that he determined his conclusions primarily from an intensive review of BlueNote's filings with the
SEC but also from a call to one of BlueNote's suppliers who informed Holly that their new inventory processing system
would allow for more efficiency in supplying BlueNote with raw materials. Holly explains to Wilson that he is the only
analyst covering BlueNote who is aware of this information and that he believes the new inventory processing system will
allow BlueNote to reduce costs and increase overall profitability for several years to come.
Wilson must also review Holly's report on BigTime, Inc., a musical promotion and distribution company. In the report, Holly
provides a very optimistic analysis of BigTime's fundamentals. The analysis supports a buy recommendation for the
company. Wilson finds one problem with Holly's report on BigTime related to Holly's former business relationship with
BigTime, Inc. Two years before joining Excess, Holly worked as an investment banker and received 1,000 restricted
shares of BigTime as a result of his participation in taking the company public. These facts are not disclosed in the report
but are disclosed on Excess Investment's website.
Just before the report is issued, Holly mentions to Wilson that BigTime unknowingly disclosed to him and a few other
analysts who were waiting for a conference call to begin that the company is planning to restructure both its sales staff
and sales strategy and may sell one of its poorly performing business units next year.
Three days after issuing his report on BigTime, which caused a substantial rise in the price of BigTime shares, Holly sells
all of the BigTime shares out of both his performance fee-based accounts and flat-fee accounts and then proceeds to sell
all of the BigTime shares out of his own account on the following day. Holly obtained approval from Wilson before making
the trades.
Just after selling his shares in BigTime, Holly receives a call from the CEO of BlueNote who wants to see if Holly received
the desk pen engraved with the BlueNote company logo that he sent last week and also to offer two front row tickets plus
limousine service to a sold-out concert for a popular band that uses BlueNote's instruments. Holly confirms that the desk
pen arrived and thanks the CEO for the gift and tells him that before he accepts the concert tickets, he will have to check
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his calendar to see if he will be able to attend. Holly declines the use of the limousine service should he decide to attend
the concert.
After speaking with the CEO of BlueNote, Holly constructs a letter that he plans to send by email to all of his clients and
prospects with email addresses and by regular mail to all of his clients and prospects without email addresses. The letter
details changes to an equity valuation model that Holly and several other analysts at Excess use to analyze potential
investment recommendations. Holly's letter explains that the new model, which will be put into use next month, will utilize
Monte Carlo simulations to create a distribution of stock values, a sharp contrast to the existing model which uses static
valuations combined with sensitivity analysis. Relevant details of the new model are included in the letter, but similar
details about the existing model are not included. The letter also explains that management at Excess has decided to
exclude alcohol and tobacco company securities from the research coverage universe. Holly's letter concludes by stating
that no other significant changes that would affect the investment recommendation process have occurred or are
expected to occur in the near future.
Question #1 of 60 Question ID: 1212854
According to CFA Institute Standards of Professional Conduct, which of the following statements is most accurate with
regard to the investment report on BlueNote, Inc.? The report:
A) complies with the Standards.
B) should not have included a price target as it makes an implicit guarantee of

investment performance.
C) does not comply with the Standards due to improper risk analysis.
Did Holly violate any CFA Institute Standards of Professional Conduct with respect to his report on BlueNote or BigTime,
as it relates to potential use of material nonpublic information?
A) Holly has violated Standard on material nonpublic information in the case of both
reports.
B) There is a violation regarding the BlueNote report, but no violation with the BigTime
report.
C) There is a violation regarding the BigTime report, but no violation with the BlueNote
report.
According to CFA Institute Standards of Professional Conduct, which of the following statements is most accurate with
regard to Holly's disclosure of his ownership of BigTime restricted shares and past investment banking relationship with
BigTime? The disclosure:
A) is neither required nor recommended by the Standards since the shares are
restricted.
B) complies with the Standards' recommended procedures for disclosing conflicts of
interest.
C) does not comply with Standard VI(A) Disclosure of Conflicts because the
disclosure is not reflected in the research report.
According to CFA Institute Standards of Professional Conduct, which of the following statements is most likely correct with
regard to Holly's report and subsequent sale of his and his clients' shares of BigTime common stock? Holly has:
A) violated the Standard by attempting to manipulate the market price of BigTime

stock.
B) not violated the Standard since he first obtained approval to make the trades from
his compliance officer.
C) not violated the Standard since he acted in the best interest of his clients by
realizing gains on BigTime stock.
According to CFA Institute Standards of Professional Conduct, which of the following best describes the actions Holly
should take with regard to the desk pen and the concert tickets offered to him by the CEO of BlueNote? Holly:
A) must not accept the desk pen or the concert tickets.

B) may accept both the desk pen and the concert tickets.
C) may accept the desk pen but should not accept the concert tickets.
In his letter to clients explaining the change in the valuation model, did Holly violate any CFA Institute Standards of
Professional Conduct?
A) No.
B) Yes, because he did not treat all clients fairly in his dissemination of the letter.
C) Yes, because he failed to include details of the current valuation model to contrast
with the new model.
Lena Pilchard, research associate for Eiffel Investments, is attempting to measure the value added to the Eiffel
Investments portfolio from the use of 1-year earnings growth forecasts developed by professional analysts.
Pilchard's supervisor, Edna Wilrus, recommends a portfolio allocation strategy that overweights neglected firms. Wilrus
cites studies of the "neglected firm effect," in which companies followed by a small number of professional analysts are
associated with higher returns than firms followed by a larger number of analysts. Wilrus considers a company covered by
three or fewer analysts to be "neglected."
Pilchard also is aware of research indicating that, on average, stock returns for small firms have been higher than those
earned by large firms. Pilchard develops a model to predict stock returns based on analyst coverage, firm size, and
analyst growth forecasts. She runs the following cross-sectional regression using data for the 30 stocks included in the
Eiffel Investments portfolio:
Ri = b0 + b1COVERAGEi + b2 LN(SIZEi) + b3(FORECASTi) + ei
where:
Ri = the rate of return on stock i
COVERAGEi = one if there are three or fewer analysts covering stock i, and equals zero otherwise
LN(SIZEi) = the natural logarithm of the market capitalization (stock price times shares outstanding) for stock i,
units in millions
FORECASTi = the 1-year consensus earnings growth rate forecast for stock i
Pilchard derives the following results from her cross-sectional regression:
Exhibit 1: Results of Pilchard's Cross-Sectional Regression
Variable Coefficient t-Statistic
Constant 0.060 1.56
COVERAGE 0.050 3.20
LN(SIZE) –0.003 –2.50
FORECAST 0.200 2.85
The standard error of estimate in Pilchard's regression equals 1.96 and the regression sum of squares equals 400.
Wilrus provides Pilchard with the following values for analyst coverage, firm size, and earnings growth forecast for
Eggmann Enterprises, a company that Eiffel Investments is evaluating.
Exhibit 2: Coverage, Firm Size, and Earnings Growth Forecast for Eggmann Enterprises
Number of analysts 5
Firm size $500 million
Earnings growth forecast 50%
Pilchard uses the following table to conduct some of her hypothesis tests.
Exhibit 3: Critical Values for Student t-Distribution
Degrees of Freedom Area in Upper Tail
0.10 0.05 0.025 0.01 0.005
26 1.315 1.706 2.056 2.479 2.779
27 1.314 1.703 2.052 2.473 2.771
28 1.313 1.701 2.048 2.467 2.763
29 1.311 1.699 2.045 2.462 2.756
30 1.310 1.697 2.042 2.457 2.750
Wilrus asks Pilchard to derive the lowest possible value for the coefficient on the FORECAST variable using a 99%
confidence interval. The appropriate lower bound for the FORECAST coefficient is closest to:
A) 0.0055.
B) 0.0628.
C) 0.1300.
Wilrus asks Pilchard to assess the overall significance of her regression. To address the question, Pilchard calculates the
R-square. She also decides to run a test of the significance of the regression as a whole. Determine the appropriate test
statistic she should use to test the overall significance of the regression.
A) F-statistic.
B) t-statistic.
C) Adjusted R-square.
Pilchard is asked whether her regression indicates that small firms outperform large firms, after controlling for analyst
coverage and consensus earnings growth forecasts. Pilchard determines the appropriate hypothesis test to answer the
question. Eiffel Investments uses a 0.01 level of significance for all hypothesis tests. Given the results of her regression,
Pilchard should make which of the following decisions after controlling for analyst coverage and consensus earnings
forecasts?
A) Not reject the hypothesis that b2 ≥ 0, and conclude that large firms significantly
outperformed small firms.
B) Reject the hypothesis that b2 ≥ 0, and conclude that large firms significantly
outperformed small firms.
C) Reject the hypothesis that b2 ≥ 0, and conclude that small firms significantly
outperformed large firms.
Holding firm size and consensus earnings growth forecasts constant, the estimated average difference in stock returns
between neglected and non-neglected firms equals:
A) 1%.
B) 3%.
C) 5%.
Pilchard derives the ANOVA table for her regression. In her ANOVA table, the degrees of freedom for the regression sum
of squares and total sum of squares should equal:
A) 3 and 30, respectively.
B) 4 and 29, respectively.

C) 3 and 29, respectively.
Using the inputs for Eggmann Enterprises provided in Exhibit 2, the predicted stock return for Eggmann Enterprises is
closest to:
A) 4%.
B) 9%.
C) 14%.
Debbie Angle and Craig Hohlman are analysts for a large commercial bank, Arbutus National Bank. Arbutus has
extensive dealings in both the spot and forward foreign exchange markets. Angle and Hohlman are providing a refresher
course on foreign exchange relationships for its traders.
Angle uses a three country example from North America to illustrate foreign exchange parity relations. In it, the Canadian
dollar is expected to depreciate relative to the U.S. dollar and the Mexican peso. Nominal, 1-year interest rates are 7% in
the United States and 13% in Mexico. From this data and using the uncovered interest rate parity relationship, Angle
forecasts future spot rates.
During their presentation, Hohlman discusses the effect of monetary and fiscal policies on exchange rates. He cites a
historical example from the United States, where the Federal Reserve shifted to an expansionary monetary policy to
stimulate economic growth. This shift was largely unanticipated by the financial markets because the markets thought the
Federal Reserve was more concerned with inflationary pressures. Hohlman states that the effect of this policy was an
increase in economic growth and an increase in inflation. The cumulative effect on the dollar was unchanged, however,
because, according to the Mundell-Fleming model, an expansionary monetary policy would strengthen the dollar whereas
under relative purchasing power parity, an increase in inflation would weaken the dollar.
Regarding U.S. fiscal policies, Hohlman states that if these were unexpectedly expansionary, real interest rates would
increase, which would produce an appreciation of the dollar. Hohlman adds that a sustained increase in the federal
budget would attract foreign capital such that the long-run effect would be an increase in the value of the dollar.
Hohlman makes the following statements about parity conditions:
Statement 1: If relative purchasing power parity holds, we can say that uncovered interest rate parity also
holds under certain conditions.
Statement 2: For uncovered interest rate parity to hold, the forward rate must be an unbiased predictor of the
future spot rate.
Angle next discusses the foreign exchange expectations. While examining Great Britain and Japan, she states that it
appears the 1-year forward rate, which is currently ¥200/£, is an accurate predictor of the expected future spot rate.
Furthermore, she states that uncovered interest rate parity and relative purchasing power parity hold. In the example for
her presentation, she uses the following figures for the two countries.
Great Britain Japan
Expected GDP growth 2.50% 1.80%
Nominal 1-year interest rates 9.70% 6.40%
Growth in exports 3.90% 5.70%
As a follow-up to Angle's example, Hohlman discusses the use and evidence for purchasing power parity. He makes the
following statements.
Statement 3: Absolute purchasing power parity extends the law of one price and states that a basket of goods
should have the same price throughout the world. Absolute purchasing power parity is not widely
used in practice to forecast exchange rates.
Statement 4: Although relative purchasing power parity is useful as an input for long-run exchange rate
forecasts, it is not useful for predicting short-run currency values.
Using Angle's analysis, what is the nominal 1-year interest rate in Canada?
A) Less than 7%.
B) Between 7% and 13%.

C) Greater than 13%.
Are Hohlman's statements regarding the effect of monetary policies on the dollar correct?
A) Yes, they are correct.
B) No, under the Mundell-Fleming model, expansionary monetary policy in the U.S.
would weaken the dollar.
C) No, the dollar value would be unchanged, but under the asset market model and
not the Mundell-Fleming model.
What additional condition must be satisfied for Hohlman's Statement 1 to be valid?
A) Covered interest parity must hold.
B) Fisher effect must hold.

C) The international Fisher relation must hold.
Hohlman's Statement 2 is:
A) correct.
B) incorrect as uncovered interest rate parity holds only if real interest rate parity
holds.
C) incorrect as uncovered interest rate parity holds only if covered interest rate parity
holds.
Which of the following is closest to the current ¥/£ spot rate?
A) ¥194/£.
B) ¥200/£.
C) ¥206/£.
Regarding the statements made by Hohlman on purchasing power parity, are both statements correct?
A) Yes.
B) No, only Statement 4 is correct.

C) No, both statements are incorrect.
Engineered Packaging, Inc., (EPI) is a manufacturer of industrial and consumer packaging products. The company's
products include composite and plastic rigid packaging, flexible packaging, as well as metal and plastic ends and
closures. In January 2018, EPI entered into a joint venture with BMI Enterprises. EPI contributed ownership of five plants,
while BMI contributed a new manufacturing technology. The joint venture is known as EP/BM LLC. EPI owns 50% of
EP/BM LLC and uses the equity method to account for its investment. The following information for 2018 is provided:
EP/BM
In Millions, Year-End 2018 EPI
LLC
Revenue $3,115 $421
Cost of goods sold $2,580 $295
SG&A $316 $50
Interest expense $47 $8
Equity in earnings of EP/BM $22
Pretax income $194 $68
Income tax $60 $24
Net income $134 $44
EP/BM
In Millions, December 31, 2018 EPI
LLC
Assets
Cash $118 $13
Accounts receivable $390 $50
Inventory $314 $41
Property $1,007 $131
Investment $38
Total $1,867 $235
Liabilities and Equity EPI EP/BM LLC
Accounts payable $274 $35
Long-term debt $719 $125
Equity $874 $75
Total $1,867 $235
Had EPI used the proportionate consolidation method instead of the equity method to account for its investment, which of
the following statements is the most accurate?
A) Net profit margin would be the same.
B) Return on assets would be the same.
C) Return on equity would be the same.
Based on the acquisition method, EPI's current ratio at the end of 2018 (using the financial information provided) is closest
to:
A) 1.8.
B) 2.6.
C) 3.0.
Based on the acquisition method, EPI's interest coverage ratio for 2018 (using the financial information provided) is
closest to:
A) 3.6.
B) 4.0.
C) 5.4.
Had EPI used the acquisition method instead of the equity method to account for its investment, EPI's long-term debt-to-
equity ratio would have been:
A) higher.
B) lower.
C) the same.
For this question only, assume that EP/BM LLC sold inventory to EPI for $50 million during 2018. Of that inventory, $20
million was unsold at the end of the year. Compared to the equity method, the acquisition method would result in:
A) higher net income.
B) higher ending inventory.

C) lower net income.
For this question only, assume that EPI accounts for its investment in EP/BM LLC using the acquisition method with
partial goodwill. As compared to the acquisition method, the return on ending equity under proportionate consolidation will
most likely be:
A) lower.
B) the same.
C) higher.
GigaTech, Inc., is a large U.S.-based technology conglomerate. The firm has business units in three primary categories:
(1) hardware manufacturing, (2) software development, and (3) consulting services. Because of the rapid pace of
technological innovation, GigaTech must make capital investments every two to four years. The company has identified
several potential investment opportunities for its hardware manufacturing division. The first of these opportunities, Tera
Project, would replace a portion of GigaTech's microprocessor assembly equipment with new machinery expected to last
three years. The current machinery has a book value of $120,000 and a market value of $195,000. The Tera Project
would require purchasing machinery for $332,000, increasing current assets by $190,000, and increasing current liabilities
by $80,000. GigaTech has a tax rate of 40%. Additional pro forma information related to the Tera Project is provided in the
following table:
Existing Equipment Tera Project
Annual sales $523,000 $708,000
Cash operating expenses $352,000 $440,000
Annual depreciation $40,000 $110,667
Accounting salvage value $0 $0
Expected salvage value (after three years) $90,000 $113,000
Analysts at GigaTech have noted that investment in the Tera Project can be delayed for up to nine months if managers at
the company decide this is necessary. However, once the capital investment is made, the project will be necessary to
maintain continuing operations. Tera Project can be scaled up with more equipment requiring less capital than the original
investment if results are meeting expectations. In addition, the equipment used in Tera Project can be used in shift work if
brief excess demand is expected.
GigaTech is also considering expanding its software development operations in India. Software development equipment
must be continually replaced to maintain efficiency as newer and faster technology is developed. The company has
identified two mutually exclusive potential expansion projects, Zeta and Sigma. Zeta requires investing in equipment with
a 3-year life, while Sigma requires investing in equipment with a 2-year life. GigaTech has estimated real capital costs for
the two projects at 10.58%. GigaTech expects inflation to be approximately 4.0% for the foreseeable future. Nominal cash
flows and net present values for the Zeta and Sigma projects are provided in the following table:
Annual Cash Flows
Project 0 1 2 3 NPV
Zeta –$360,000 $250,000 $220,000 $190,000 $148,671
Sigma –$470,000 $330,000 $390,000 $0 $111,853
Assuming that working capital will be recaptured at the end of the project, which of the following is closest to the final
period after-tax cash flow for the Tera Project?
A) $196,467.
B) $210,267.
C) $219,467.
Which of the following best describes how GigaTech should implement scenario analysis to analyze the Tera Project?
A) Generate a base case, high, and low estimate of NPV by changing only the most
sensitive cash flow variable.
B) Generate a base case, high, and low estimate of NPV by changing only the
discount rate applicable to the project.
C) Generate a base case, high, and low estimate of NPV by simultaneously changing
sales, expense, and discount rate assumptions for each case.
Which of the following is least likely to be a real option available to GigaTech with regard to the Tera Project?
A) Abandonment option.
B) Expansion option.
C) Flexibility option.
Using the least common multiple of lives approach, determine whether the Zeta Project or the Sigma Project will increase
the value of GigaTech by a greater amount.
A) Zeta Project.
B) Sigma Project.
C) Both projects increase GigaTech’s value by the same amount.
Dave Johnson, CFA is an equity analyst at DJ Advisors. Currently, Johnson is analyzing Superior Products, Inc., a
consumer durables manufacturer. Recently, Superior's board of directors has become concerned with the firm's capital
budgeting decisions and has asked management to provide a detailed explanation of the capital budgeting process. After
reviewing the report from management, the board makes the following comments in a memo:
The capital rationing system being utilized is fundamentally flawed since, in some instances, projects that do not
increase earnings per share are selected over projects that do increase earnings per share.
The cash flow projections are flawed since they fail to include costs incurred in the search for projects or the economic
consequences of increased competition resulting from highly profitable projects.
We are making inappropriate investment decisions since the discount rate used to evaluate all potential projects is the
firm's weighted average cost of capital.
Superior is in the preliminary stages of starting a new division focusing on energy efficient and environment-friendly
appliances. Superior's investment banker suggests that the company raise capital for the new division via specially
labeled debt securities. Superior also needs to refinance existing debentures coming due over the next year and
contemplates a single issue to cover both the capital needs of the new division and refinancing of maturing debentures.
Johnson is concerned about interlocking directorships and asks Jennifer Mogan, corporate governance specialist at DJ,
about them. Mogan makes the following statements:
Statement 1: Family control of a corporation is beneficial because it reduces the principal-agent problem.
Statement 2: An advantage of family ownership of a corporation is that it is easier to attract quality talent for
management positions.
Regarding the statements in the board of directors' memo related to Superior's capital rationing system and its method of
projecting project cash flows:
A) only the statement regarding capital rationing is correct.

B) only the statement regarding cash flow projections is correct.
C) neither the statement regarding capital rationing nor the statement regarding cash
flow projections is correct.
Which of the following would most effectively correct Superior's discount rate problem described in the board of directors'
memo?
A) Use the firm’s marginal cost of capital to evaluate all potential projects.
B) Use a beta specific to each potential project to determine the appropriate discount
rate.
C) Use the cost of the firm’s equity capital to discount the cash flows of all potential
projects.
Which of the following would most accurately describe (1) the debt security envisioned by Superior's investment banker to
finance the new division, and (2) Superior's intention to channel some of the proceeds of the new debt securities to
refinance existing debentures?
New debt security Use of proceeds for other purposes
A) climate bonds lower cost financing
B) ESG bonds diversion
C) green bonds greenwashing
Which of Mogan's statements are correct?
A) Statement 1 only.
B) Statement 2 only.
C) Both statements are correct.
Broadstore, Inc., is a retailer operating in urban areas in the eastern and midwestern United States. Currently,
Broadstore operates 120 retail outlets, but its executives seek to expand significantly. In order to achieve the rapid
expansion, the board has identified two acquisition targets they believe could add value for Broadstore's shareholders.
The first target is retailer Sagan Termett, Inc., (Sagan). Sagan's store locations are geographically distributed in a way that
would complement Broadstore without too much overlap; Sagan's stores are primarily on the west coast. Broadstore's
board believes the company may be receptive to a bid at the right price.
Jackson Torrelle, CFA, works for Broadstore and has been asked to look at the details of a possible share-for-share
exchange. The board believes that synergies of $2.3 million per year in perpetuity would be realized if the companies
merged.
Broadstore currently has 20 million shares outstanding with a market price of $19.20 per share. Sagan Termett has 15.75
million shares outstanding with a market price of $16.20 per share. Torrelle has been asked to consider the following three
scenarios for a possible merger:
Scenario 1: Broadstore offers to acquire 100% of Sagan Termett's shares in exchange for 13 million newly
issued shares in the merged entity.
Scenario 2: Broadstore offers to purchase 100% of Sagan Termett's shares for $270 million.
Scenario 3: Broadstore offers to purchase approximately 30% of Sagan Termett's stores for cash.
Torrelle intends to calculate the present value of any synergies using a discount rate of 8%. However, he has concerns as
to whether any synergies will be realized and has sent an email to the CFO outlining the consequences of the synergies
not being realized. An extract from the email is shown in Exhibit 1.
Exhibit 1: Torrelle Email (Extract)

"…the assumed synergies arise primarily from the synchronization of accounting systems. I believe the
estimate of the annual savings excludes significant one-off costs of training and the costs of running the
systems in parallel. I estimate that these costs would reduce the present value of synergies by $8 million."
The second target is Exellara, Inc., a company that offers logistical solutions to retailers. Exellara already works with
Broadstore, providing most of its distribution network.
Broadstore has only recently identified Exellara as a target and has yet to calculate a value for the company. As part of a
preliminary review, the board has obtained a recently published research report that contains a comparable company
analysis for Exellara. An extract from the report is shown in Exhibit 2.
Exhibit 2: Exellara Research Report (Extract)
Relative Valuation Company I Company II Company III
Ratio
P/E 12.3 15.8 9.9
P/S 1.2 1.9 1.3
P/BV 2.5 2.2 3.0
Exellara Metrics
Earnings per share $2.73
Sales per share $21.21
Book value per share $13.92
The research report concluded that the likely price a potential acquirer would have to pay for Exellara would be $45.70.
Torrelle is unsure how this conclusion was arrived at, as he does not have all the appendices to the report outlining its
assumptions and calculation methods. He is particularly concerned that the price may be too high, as Broadstore has
been criticized in the past for several acquisitions that shareholders did not feel were in their best long-term interests.
If Broadstore proceeded with Scenario 3, it is most likely that:
A) Sagan Termett’s shareholders would not have to pay tax on any capital gains on
the transaction.
B) the transaction may be subject to approval by Sagan Termett’s shareholders.
C) Broadstore would be required to assume the liabilities of Sagan Termett.
If Broadstore proceeded with Scenario 1, with regards to Sagan Termett, and the original estimate of synergies is realized,
the gain to Broadstore's shareholders would be closest to:
A) $5,000,000.
B) $13,000,000.
C) $21,000,000.
If Torrelle's concerns outlined in Exhibit 1 were correct, the most likely result is that the gain to:
A) Broadstore would be reduced under Scenario 1 but not under Scenario 2.

B) both Broadstore and Sagan Termett shareholders would be reduced under
Scenario 1.
C) both Broadstore and Sagan Termett shareholders would be reduced under
Scenario 2.
The acquisition price for Exellara in the research report has most likely been calculated using comparable:
A) transaction analysis and a takeover premium of 20%.

B) company analysis and a takeover premium of 20%.
C) company analysis and a takeover premium of 35%.
Sentinel News is a publisher of more than 100 newspapers around the country, with the exception of the Midwestern
states. The company's CFO, Harry Miller, has been reviewing a number of potential candidates (both public and private
companies) that would provide Sentinel News entrance into the Midwestern market. Recently, the founder of Midwest
News, a private newspaper company, passed away. The founder's family members are inclined to sell their 80%
controlling interest. The family members are concerned that Midwest News's declining newspaper circulation is not
cyclical, but rather permanent. The family members would reinvest the cash proceeds from the sale of Midwest News into
a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds. Miller's staff collects the financial information shown in Exhibit 1.
Exhibit 1: Midwest News's Financial Information
Total assets $92.5 million
Total debt $0
Total equity $79.5 million
Shares outstanding 1.5 million
Revenues $251.5 million
Net income (next year's forecast) $19.5 million
Miller noted that Midwest News does not pay a dividend, nor does the company have any debt. The most comparable
publicly traded stock is Freedom Corporation. Freedom, however, has significant radio and television operations.
Freedom's estimated beta is 0.90, and 40% of the company's capital structure is debt. Freedom is expected to maintain a
payout ratio of 40%. Analysts are forecasting the company will earn $3.00 per share next year and grow their earnings by
6% per year. Freedom has a current market capitalization of $15 billion and 375 million shares outstanding. Freedom's
current market value equals its intrinsic value.
Miller's staff uses current expectations to develop the appropriate equity risk premium for Midwest News. The staff uses
the Gordon growth model to estimate Midwest's equity risk premium. The equity risk premium calculated by the staff is
provided in Exhibit 2.
Miller believes the best method to estimate the required return on equity of Midwest News is the build-up method. All
relevant information to determine Midwest News's required return on equity is presented in Exhibit 2.
Exhibit 2: Required Return Estimate Factors
Risk-free rate 3.5%
Equity risk premium 4.0%
Small size premium 3.5%
Specific-company premium 2.0%
Beta 1.2
Growth rate 3.0%
The specific-company premium reflects concerns about future industry performance and business risk in Midwest News.
Miller makes two statements concerning the valuation methodology used to value Midwest News's equity.
Statement 1: The required return estimate that is calculated from Exhibit 2 reflects all adjustments needed to
make an accurate valuation of Midwest News.
Statement 2: It is better to use the free cash flow model to value Midwest News than a dividend discount
model.
Miller considered two different valuation models to determine the price of Midwest News's equity: a single-stage free cash
flow model and a single-stage residual income model.
Using Freedom Corporation as a comparable, the estimated beta for Midwest News is most likely:
A) greater than 0.90.

B) less than 0.90.
C) equal to 0.90.
The required return estimate of Freedom Corporation is closest to:
A) 3%.
B) 6%.
C) 9%.
Which of the following is NOT an input used to estimate Midwest News's equity risk premium based on the Gordon growth
model?
A) Dividend yield on the market index.

B) Current long-term government bond yield.
C) Expected growth in the market index’s P/E ratio.
Based on Exhibit 2 and using the build-up method, Midwest News's required return on equity is closest to:
A) 13.0%.
B) 13.8%.
C) 15.8%.
Using the single-stage residual income model and assuming the required return on equity is 15%, the value of Midwest
News is closest to (use information in Exhibits 1 and 2):
A) $75 per share.

B) $95 per share.
C) $115 per share.
Miller has made two statements, one concerning the required return estimate and the other concerning the relative merits
of the free cash flow model versus the dividend discount model. Are Miller's statements correct?
A) Only Statement 1 is correct.
B) Only Statement 2 is correct.

C) Both Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
CTT Credit Analysis provides fixed-income credit analysis to fund managers and high net worth individuals. Tam
Lowenstadt, CFA, joined the firm recently; one of his first tasks is to provide a new client with an overview of the credit
analysis models the firm uses. He begins by outlining some key underlying principles, as shown in Exhibit 1.
Exhibit 1: Key Underlying Principles

1. The probability of default multiplied by the recovery rate given default is equal to the expected loss.
2. The sum of expected losses for each period is equal to the cumulative valuation adjustment.
3. Given the market price of a credit risky bond, the estimated risk-neutral probabilities of default and recovery rates are
positively correlated.
Lowenstadt also provides an overview of the structural model approach to credit analysis. He starts off by explaining the
basic approach of valuing the credit risk by using an option analogy. He makes two key statements regarding this analogy
and how it can be used to value equity and debt:
Statement 1: Owning the company's debt with a face value of K and a maturity of T is economically equivalent
to owning a riskless bond with face value of K and maturity of T and simultaneously purchasing a
European put option on the assets of the company with a strike price equal to K and maturing at
time T.
Statement 2: Holding the company's equity is economically equivalent to owning a European call option on the
company's assets.
CTT Credit Analysis always includes an illustration of the impact of credit migration on the price performance of corporate
bonds. As an example, Lowenstadt demonstrates the impact of a credit downgrade of ZT bonds. ZT, Inc., has two bonds
outstanding, identical in every respect except that one is callable while the other is not.
CCT does not recommend the use of reduced form models of credit analysis to its clients. Lowenstadt defended this
decision based on the firm's standard response as shown in Exhibit 2.
Exhibit 2: CCT Firm View on Reduced Form Models
Point 1: Unlike the structural model, reduced form models do not explain why default occurs.
Point 2: A key input into the reduced form model is the default intensity, which is the probability of
default over the next time period. Default intensity is estimated using option pricing models.
Finally, Lowenstadt also discussed CCT's application of credit analysis to asset-backed securities. Lowenstadt is aware
that the client has some collateralized debt obligations in her portfolio. His overview is shown in Exhibit 3.
Exhibit 3: ABS Overview
Section 1 − Collateral
Short-term granular and homogenous structured finance vehicles are evaluated using a portfolio-based approach.
Medium-term granular and homogenous obligations are evaluated using a statistical-based approach because the
portfolio composition varies over time.
Section 2 − Servicer Quality
Counterparty risk.
Operational risk.
Section 3 − Structure
Credit enhancement.
Distribution waterfall.
In Exhibit 1, which of the underlying principles outlined by Lowenstadt is most accurate?
A) Principle 1.
B) Principle 2.
C) Principle 3.
Lowenstadt's Statement 1 is most likely:
A) incorrect, as he should have instead stated purchasing a European call option.
B) incorrect, as he should have instead stated selling a European put option.

C) correct.
Lowenstadt's Statement 2 is best described as:
A) incorrect, as he should have instead stated American call option.

B) incorrect, as he should have instead stated European put option.
C) correct.
Given Lowenstadt's scenario, relative to the price performance of the straight bond issued by ZT, Inc., the callable bond is
most likely to have:
A) equal or poorer price performance.

B) equal or better price performance.
C) the same price performance.
Which of Lowenstadt's points in Exhibit 2 is correct?
A) Only point 1 is accurate.
B) Only point 2 is accurate.

C) Neither Point is accurate.
Lowenstadt's overview of asset-backed securities in Exhibit 3 most likely contains an error in:
A) Section 1, because short-term granular and homogenous structured finance

vehicles are evaluated using a statistical-based approach, while medium-term
granular and homogenous obligations are evaluated using a portfolio-based
approach.
B) Section 2, because counterparty risk is not relevant for servicer quality.

C) Section 3, because credit enhancement is not relevant for asset-backed securities.
Rock Torrey, an analyst for International Retailers Incorporated (IRI), has been asked to evaluate the firm's swap
transactions in general, as well as a 2-year fixed for fixed currency swap involving the U.S. dollar and the Mexican peso in
particular. The dollar is Torrey's domestic currency, and the exchange rate as of June 1, 2009, was $0.0893 per peso. The
swap calls for annual payments and exchange of notional principal at the beginning and end of the swap term and has a
notional principal of $100 million. The counterparty to the swap is GHS Bank, a large full-service bank in Mexico.
The current term structure of interest rates for both countries is given in the following table:
Time Period U.S. Interest Rates Mexican Interest Rates
360 days 4.0% 5.0%
720 days 4.5% 5.2%
Torrey believes the swap will help his firm effectively mitigate its foreign currency exposure in Mexico, which stems mainly
from shopping centers in high-end resorts located along the eastern coastline. Having made this conclusion, Torrey
begins writing his report for the management of IRI. In the report, Torrey makes the following statements about interest
rate derivative instruments:
Statement 1: A payer swap can be replicated using a long receiver swaption and a short payer swaption with
the same exercise rates. If the exercise rate is set such that the premiums of the payer and
receiver swaptions are equal, then the exercise rate must be equal to the market swap fixed rate.
Statement 2: A long callable bond can be replicated using a long option-free bond plus a short receiver
swaption.
Torrey is also evaluating a 2-year European interest rate call option with a strike rate of 5% and a notional principal of $2
million. Torrey wants to use a binomial tree as shown in Exhibit 1 to value the option.
Exhibit 1: Two-Period Interest Rate Tree
Six months (180 days) have passed since Torrey issued his report to IRI's management team, and the current exchange
rate is now $0.085 per peso. The new term structure of interest rates is as follows:
Time Period U.S. Interest Rates Mexican Interest Rates
180 days 4.2% 5.0%
540 days 4.8% 5.2%
For the currency swap that Torrey is evaluating, calculate the annual payments that will be required of International
Retailers Incorporated.
A) 29.1 million pesos.
B) 40.7 million pesos.

C) 56.8 million pesos.
Torrey's Statement 1 is most likely:
A) correct.
B) incorrect about long receiver swaption and short payer swaption.
C) incorrect about the exercise rate being equal to the market swap fixed rate if the
premiums of the two swaptions are equal.
Torrey's Statement 2 is most likely:
A) correct.
B) incorrect about the long option free bond.

C) incorrect about the short receiver swaption.
The value of the 2-year interest rate call option is closest to:
A) $7,717.
B) $15,434.
C) $18,415.
Calculate the present value of the dollar fixed payments for the 2-year currency swap six months after Torrey's initial
analysis.
A) $93.28 million.
B) $101.69 million.
C) $108.80 million.
Calculate the value of the 2-year currency swap from the perspective of the counterparty paying dollars six months after
Torrey's initial analysis.
A) –$0.72 million.
B) –$3.21 million.
C) –$4.21 million.
Bill Henry, CFA, is the CIO of IS University Endowment Fund located in the United States. The Fund's total assets are
valued at $3.5 billion. The investment policy uses a total return approach to meet the return objective that includes a
spending rate of 5%. In addition, the policy constraints established make tax-exempt instruments an inappropriate
investment vehicle. The Fund's current asset mix includes an 18% allocation to private equity. The private equity
allocation is shown in Exhibit 1.
Exhibit 1: IS University Endowment Fund's Private Equity Investments
Private Equity Percentage Allocation
Venture capital 12%
Buyouts 56%
Special situations 32%
The private equity allocation is a mixture of funds with different vintages. For example, within the venture capital category,
investments have been made in five different funds. Exhibit 2 provides details about the Alpha Fund with a vintage year of
2014 and committed capital of $195 million. The distribution waterfall calls for 20% carried interest when NAV before
distributions exceeds committed capital.
Exhibit 2: $195 Million Venture Capital Alpha Fund ($Millions)
Year Called-Down Management Fees Operating Results
2014 $30 $0.45 –$10
2015 $25 $0.83 $55
2016 $75 $1.95 $75
The Alpha Fund is considering a new investment in Targus Company. Targus is a start-up biotech company seeking $9
million of venture capital financing. Targus's founders believe that, based on the company's new drug pipeline, a company
value of $300 million is reasonable in five years. Management at Alpha Fund views Targus Company as a risky
investment (15% risk of failure) and is using a discount rate of 40%.
Which of the following risk factors will most likely impact the private equity portion of the IS University Endowment?
A) Lack of diversification.
B) Illiquid investments.
C) Taxation risk.
Using Exhibit 2, calculate the 2016 percentage management fee of the Alpha Fund.
A) 1.5%.
B) 2.0%.
C) 2.5%.
Alpha Fund's 2016 dollar amount of carried interest is closest to:
A) $0 million.
B) $10 million.
C) $20 million.
Which of the following is most likely a characteristic of a venture capital investment?
A) The typical investment uses leverage.
B) Measureable risk.
C) Increasing capital requirements.
Using the single period NPV method (venture capital method), the post-money valuation of Targus Company is closest to:
A) $48 million.
B) $50 million.
C) $55 million.
For this question only, assuming that the founders will hold 2.5 million shares, and the post money valuation is $90 million,
the price per share for the venture capital investor is closest to:
A) $32.40.
B) $34.12.
C) $36.00.

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CFA Level II

Use the following information to answer Questions 61 through 66.

Question #1 of 60 Question ID: 1212854

A) complies with the Standards.

B) should not have included a price target as it makes an implicit guarantee of

Question #2 of 60 Question ID: 1212855

Question #3 of 60 Question ID: 1212856

Question #4 of 60 Question ID: 1212857

A) violated the Standard by attempting to manipulate the market price of BigTime

Question #5 of 60 Question ID: 1212858

A) must not accept the desk pen or the concert tickets.

Question #6 of 60 Question ID: 1212859

Use the following information to answer Questions 67 through 72.

Ri = b0 + b1COVERAGEi + b2 LN(SIZEi) + b3(FORECASTi) + ei

Ri = the rate of return on stock i

Pilchard derives the following results from her cross-sectional regression:

Exhibit 1: Results of Pilchard's Cross-Sectional Regression

Variable Coefficient t-Statistic

Constant 0.060 1.56

COVERAGE 0.050 3.20

LN(SIZE) –0.003 –2.50

FORECAST 0.200 2.85

Firm size $500 million

Earnings growth forecast 50%

Exhibit 3: Critical Values for Student t-Distribution

Degrees of Freedom Area in Upper Tail

0.10 0.05 0.025 0.01 0.005

27 1.314 1.703 2.052 2.473 2.771

28 1.313 1.701 2.048 2.467 2.763

29 1.311 1.699 2.045 2.462 2.756

30 1.310 1.697 2.042 2.457 2.750

Question #7 of 60 Question ID: 1212861

Question #8 of 60 Question ID: 1212862

Question #9 of 60 Question ID: 1212863

Question #10 of 60 Question ID: 1212864

Question #11 of 60 Question ID: 1212865

A) 3 and 30, respectively.

B) 4 and 29, respectively.

Question #12 of 60 Question ID: 1212866

Use the following information to answer Questions 73 through 78.

Hohlman makes the following statements about parity conditions:

Great Britain Japan

Expected GDP growth 2.50% 1.80%

Nominal 1-year interest rates 9.70% 6.40%

Growth in exports 3.90% 5.70%

Question #13 of 60 Question ID: 1212868

A) Less than 7%.

B) Between 7% and 13%.

Question #14 of 60 Question ID: 1212869

Question #15 of 60 Question ID: 1212870

What additional condition must be satisfied for Hohlman's Statement 1 to be valid?

A) Covered interest parity must hold.

B) Fisher effect must hold.

Question #16 of 60 Question ID: 1212871

Hohlman's Statement 2 is:

Question #17 of 60 Question ID: 1212872

Which of the following is closest to the current ¥/£ spot rate?

Question #18 of 60 Question ID: 1212873

B) No, only Statement 4 is correct.

Use the following information to answer Questions 79 through 84.