CSC1 Questions and Answers

When a corporation issues preferred shares rather than debt, it avoids increasing its leverage (debt-to-equity ratio). Preferred shares are considered equity for financial reporting purposes and do not require the repayment of principal like debt instruments. Although they may have fixed dividend obligations, these are not legally binding in the way interest payments on debt are.

Issuing preferred shares allows the corporation to strengthen its balance sheet while potentially preserving its credit rating. Preferred shares do not directly affect leverage but provide capital without increasing debt.

References:

Volume 1, Chapter 8:Preferred Shares, section on "Why Companies Issue Preferred Shares" explains the advantages of using preferred shares instead of debt​.

Timing lags refer to delays between the implementation of fiscal policy measures (such as tax cuts or increased government spending) and their impact on the economy. In this case, the politician's government was unable to implement the promised fiscal policies due to the high debt level, which delayed or negated the planned economic measures.

This reflects the challenge of timing lags in fiscal policy, where structural constraints (such as debt levels) prevent timely execution.

References:

Volume 1, Chapter 5:Economic Policyunder "Challenges of Government Policy" discusses timing lags in implementing fiscal measures (CSC Volume 1, Chapter 5)​.

TheCanada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC)insures eligible deposits (e.g., term deposits) up to a maximum of$100,000 per depositor per member institution. In this case:

Keith has $150,000 in ABC Trust Company → $100,000 is insured.

Keith has $75,000 in XYZ Trust Company → Entire $75,000 is insured.

Total insured amount = $100,000 (ABC) + $75,000 (XYZ) = $200,000.

References:Volume 1, Chapter 3 ("Investor Protection Funds and Insurance")​.

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.

Theintrinsic valueof a warrant is calculated as the difference between the current market price of the common share and the exercise price of the warrant, provided the market price of the share is higher than the exercise price.

Intrinsic Value=Market Price of Common Share−Exercise Price of Warrant\text{Intrinsic Value} = \text{Market Price of Common Share} - \text{Exercise Price of Warrant}Intrinsic Value=Market Price of Common Share−Exercise Price of Warrant

Using the values provided:

Market Price of 1 KJR Inc. Common Share= $32

Exercise Price of Warrants= $30

Intrinsic Value=32−30=2\text{Intrinsic Value} = 32 - 30 = 2Intrinsic Value=32−30=2

Since the market price of the share is greater than the exercise price, the intrinsic value is$2.

Explanation of Incorrect Options:

Option A ($0):This would be correct if the exercise price were greater than or equal to the market price of the common share.

Option B ($5):This incorrectly includes the market price of the warrant ($5), which is irrelevant to intrinsic value calculation.

Option D ($3):This is not derived from the given data and calculations.

References:

Canadian Securities Course (CSC), Volume 1, Chapter 8: Equity Securities – Common and Preferred Shares. Discussion on warrants, including intrinsic value calculations​.

True inflation is defined as a general and sustained increase in the prices of goods and services throughout an economy over time.

A (Jump in call prices)andD (one-time price increase due to tax)are isolated events and not inflation.

B (Sustained decrease in prices)describes deflation, not inflation.

References:Volume 1, Chapter 4 ("The Impact of Inflation")​.

Improving a municipality's credit rating involves adopting sustainable financial strategies that enhance fiscal stability and resilience. Option D, which focuses on attracting diversified investments, is the most effective approach to achieve this goal in the long term.

A. Increase cash flow through higher business taxes to improve debt repayment abilityRaising business taxes may improve immediate cash flow, but it risks driving businesses away, which can harm the municipality's economic base over time. An over-reliance on higher taxation can discourage investment and stunt growth, making it an unsustainable strategy​.

B. Negotiate a deal with the provincial government to back up its securitiesWhile support from a provincial government can stabilize credit in the short term, it does not address the underlying economic fundamentals. Long-term creditworthiness depends on the municipality's ability to generate and manage its own revenues, reducing dependency on external guarantees​​.

C. Build a strong, exclusive industry with little competition in the regionSpecializing in a single industry introduces concentration risk. If the industry declines or faces competition, the municipality’s financial base would weaken significantly. Economic diversification is essential to mitigate such risks​​.

D. Attract new investments from various industries to increase tax revenueEncouraging investments across multiple industries diversifies the economic base and creates a stable revenue stream. This approach spreads risk, improves fiscal resilience, and aligns with long-term credit rating improvement strategies as outlined in the CSC course materials. By fostering a diverse and dynamic economy, the municipality enhances its ability to service debt and sustain financial health​​.

Explanation of Options:

Economic Diversification

CSC Volume 1 emphasizes the importance of economic diversification for reducing fiscal vulnerabilities and promoting sustainable growth (Chapter 4, "Economic Indicators"). Diversification spreads risk and enhances resilience, making it a key driver for improving credit ratings​.

Municipal Creditworthiness

Discussions in CSC Volume 2 highlight how a strong, diversified economy underpins municipal credit ratings by providing a consistent and reliable revenue base (Chapter 6, "Municipal Securities")​.

Tax Revenue and Economic Growth

Fiscal strategies discussed in Volume 1 (Chapter 5, "Fiscal Policy") stress the importance of balancing revenue generation with economic incentives to foster investment and growth​.

Supporting References from CSC Materials

Defined contribution (DC) plans have driven the demand for cost-effective, diversified, and easily tradeable investment products like exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Unlike defined benefit plans, where the employer guarantees payouts, DC plans place the responsibility for investment decisions and risks on individuals, who increasingly opt for ETFs for their low costs and broad market exposure.

A. The rise of financial technology companies: While fintech has contributed to the growth of investment products, it is not a primary driver of ETF usage.

C. The emergence of cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrencies are separate financial products and are not directly tied to the use of ETFs.

D. The popularity of robo-advisors: Robo-advisors use ETFs extensively, but this is a result of their popularity rather than a cause of ETF growth.

Bond indexes are widely used in the securities industry to constructbond index funds, which aim to replicate the performance of the bond market or a specific segment of it.

A (Provide liquidity)refers to market-making activities, not bond indexes.

B (Direct purchase)is uncommon, as bond indexes are benchmarks rather than individual investments.

D (Assess credit risk)is achieved through credit rating agencies, not bond indexes.

References:Volume 1, Chapter 7 ("Bond Indexes")​.

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A market order executes immediately at the best availableask pricefor a purchase transaction. In this case, the bid/ask initially was $10.25/$10.75. However, before execution, the ask price updated to $10.70, meaning Anwar will pay $10.70 per share.

B. $10.75: This was the previous ask price but is no longer valid after the update.

C. $10.29: This value is not relevant to the current bid/ask spread.

D. $10.20: This represents the updated bid price, which applies to sell orders, not buy orders.

A foreign pay bond is a type of bond that allows the investor to choose the currency in which to receive interest payments, usually between the currency of the issuer's country and a foreign currency. This feature provides flexibility for investors who may want to manage currency risk or take advantage of fluctuations in exchange rates.

Review of Other Options:

A. Eurobonds:

Eurobonds are international bonds issued in a currency other than the currency of the country where they are issued. However, they do not provide the investor with a choice of interest payments in different currencies.

C. Subordinated Debentures:

These are unsecured bonds that rank below other debts in terms of repayment priority in case of liquidation. They do not involve currency options for interest payments.

D. Floating-Rate Securities:

These bonds have variable interest rates that adjust periodically based on a benchmark interest rate, such as LIBOR or prime rate, but they do not allow investors to choose the currency of interest payments.

Why B is Correct:

Foreign pay bonds are explicitly designed to offer investors a choice of interest payments in two currencies, making them unique among fixed-income securities. This feature provides added flexibility for investors dealing with foreign exchange considerations.

References:

Canadian Securities Course (CSC), Volume 1, Chapter 6: Fixed-Income Securities – Features and Types. Detailed explanation of foreign pay bonds and their distinguishing features​.

Discussion of bond types and their characteristics, including Eurobonds and floating-rate securities, in Chapter 6​.

The expectations theory assumes that the yield on a long-term bond reflects the expected future short-term interest rates. According to this theory, investors are indifferent to holding a single long-term bond or a series of short-term bonds that collectively match the duration of the long-term bond, as the total interest earned should be the same.

Study Document References:

Volume 1, Chapter 7:Term Structure of Interest Rates and Yield Curve Theories, including the expectations theory and its assumptions​​.

One advantage of public listing is the goodwill generated among shareholders. Public listing enhances the company's visibility, credibility, and reputation, which can attract investors, customers, and business partners. This goodwill often facilitates access to capital and strengthens the company's market presence.

Study Document References:

Volume 1, Chapter 12:Advantages of Public Listing, outlining benefits such as goodwill and increased capital access​​.

In a limited partnership, the liability of limited partners is strictly limited to the amount of their investment in the partnership. They do not participate in the day-to-day management or operational decision-making of the partnership. This characteristic ensures that their personal assets are protected beyond their contribution to the partnership.

If limited partners were to engage in the management of the partnership, they could potentially lose their limited liability protection and be treated as general partners, exposing their personal assets to liability.

This concept is foundational in business structures like limited partnerships, allowing investors to contribute capital without risking their personal wealth beyond the agreed investment.

Study Document References:

Volume 1, Section on Corporations and Financial Structures:This section discusses different forms of business organizations, including partnerships, and highlights the limited liability of investors in structures like limited partnerships​​.

Frictional unemployment arises from normal labor market activities, such as people transitioning between jobs, entering or re-entering the workforce, or temporarily being unemployed after completing education. This type of unemployment is always present, even in a healthy economy, and reflects short-term gaps in employment rather than structural or economic downturns.

Natural unemployment (Option A):Refers to the combination of frictional and structural unemployment present in an efficient economy.

Structural unemployment (Option B):Caused by mismatches between skills workers possess and those needed by employers, often due to technological advances.

Cyclical unemployment (Option C):Linked to economic recessions or downturns where demand for labor decreases.

TheKnow Your Client (KYC) rulerequires registrants to gather detailed personal and financial information from clients before providing investment advice or making recommendations. This ensures that investment recommendations align with the client’s financial goals, risk tolerance, and circumstances.

This obligation is critical for ensuring suitability in investment products and maintaining regulatory compliance.

Suitability rule (A)refers to matching investments to a client's needs but comes after gathering KYC information.

Gatekeeper obligations (C)focus on preventing illegal activities like money laundering.

Fiduciary duty (D)applies to acting in the best interest of the client but is broader in scope.

References:Volume 1, Chapter 3 ("Know Your Client Rule")​.

When individuals stop actively seeking work, they are no longer considered part of thelabour force, and this reduces theunemployment ratesince it only includes those actively seeking employment.

A (Structural unemployment)remains unchanged as this relates to mismatches in skills or geographic factors.

C (Participation rate)decreases since fewer individuals are in the labour force.

D (Labour force)decreases as individuals withdraw from it.

References:Volume 1, Chapter 4 ("Labour Market Indicators")​.

When a dealer member fills a client’s order for an unlisted security from its own inventory, the dealer is acting as aprincipal.

A (Alternative trading system)refers to electronic platforms for trading securities.

B (Clearing agent)involves post-trade settlement activities.

C (Over-the-counter agent)is incorrect since the dealer is transacting directly.

References:Volume 1, Chapter 9 ("Principal and Agency Transactions")​.

Aforward contractis a derivative instrument whose value is derived from the value of an underlying asset, such as commodities, currencies, or financial instruments. It is a customized agreement between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a future date at a specified price.

A. Real estate investment trust: A REIT is an equity instrument tied to real estate assets, not a derivative.

C. Preferred share: A preferred share is an equity security with fixed dividends, not a derivative.

D. Inflation-linked bond: These are fixed-income securities linked to inflation rates but are not considered derivatives.

Theprice levelis one of the most critical factors influencing how much of a product people buy or sell in a marketplace. According to the laws of supply and demand, changes in the price of a product directly affect consumer behavior, where higher prices typically reduce demand, and lower prices increase it.

References:

Volume 1, Chapter 4:Overview of Economics, section on "The Market" discusses supply, demand, and how price levels determine market activity​.

Determining the present value of a bond involves discounting the future cash flows (coupon payments and the principal repayment at maturity) back to the present using an appropriate discount rate. The first step in this process is to identify the correct discount rate, which reflects the bond's required rate of return or the prevailing market interest rate for bonds with similar risk and term characteristics.

The appropriate discount rate accounts for factors such as the bond's credit risk, term to maturity, and prevailing economic conditions. Once the discount rate is determined, the present value of the coupon payments and the principal amount can be calculated.

Study Document References:

Volume 1, Chapter 7:Calculating the Present Value of Bonds, including concepts of discount rates and how they affect bond pricing​​.

In an equity transaction,marginrefers to the loan that a dealer extends to a client to facilitate the purchase of securities. The client pays a portion of the purchase price (the margin requirement), while the dealer provides the remainder as a loan. This enables clients to leverage their investments and potentially enhance returns, albeit with increased risk.

Other options:

Amount paid by a client when using credit to buy securities: Describes the margin requirement but does not fully define margin.

Good-faith deposit to ensure future financial obligations: Refers to initial margin in derivatives trading, not equity transactions.

Interest paid by the client to borrow securities: Refers to short-selling, not buying on margin.

References:

Volume 1, Chapter 9:Equity Transactions, section on "Margin Accounts" explains the mechanics of margin trading and loans​.

The shares held by institutional investors, along with other shares available for trading by the public, are referred to as thepublic float shares. These are the issued shares of a company that are actively traded in the market, excluding restricted shares held by insiders or strategic investors.

Other options:

Issued shares: Includes all shares a company has issued, including restricted shares.

Outstanding shares: Includes all shares held by all shareholders, including restricted shares and shares not available for trading.

Market capitalization shares: Not a term used to describe shares; market capitalization is a measure of a company's total value based on its stock price and outstanding shares.

References:

Volume 1, Chapter 8:Equity Securities, section on "Public Float and Market Capitalization" explains the concept of public float shares​.

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​.