Blog
Skewness versus Kurtosis
Course: Investment PlanningLesson 13: Asset Allocation Student Question: Can you help me understand the difference between Kurtosis and Skewness? I can’t quite piece it together. Instructor Response: Entire books have been written on this topic but the following summary should get the points for you on the CFP® Board exam when these topics are tested. …
Read More
Using Jensen Performance Index
Based on the Jensen performance index, which fund should the investor continue to hold given the following information? Fund 1 Fund 2 Return on Portfolio 13% 17% Beta .95 1.02 Standard Deviation .18 .22 Risk free rate of return is 7% Market return is 15% Fund 1 Fund 2 Both Fund 1 and 2 Neither…
Read More
CFP Board to host Technology Standard Webinar
CFP® Board Updates On April 17, 2024, the CFP Board will host the “Guide to CFP Board’s Technology Standard” webinar. The webinar will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the recently released “Guide to CFP Board’s Technology Standard. This guide is a resource to assist CFP® Professionals in complying with the “Duty When Selecting, Using and…
Read More
Annual Return and Compounding
Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 5: Using the Calculator Student Question: My question relates to being able to clearly distinguish when the CFP Board exam will require an annual, or other period for the answer. Question 5(b) asks: “What is the rate of return on Investment 2 using daily compounding?” What is the annual rate…
Read More
Who is an Investment Advisor?
Which of the following individuals need to register with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940? Adam who retired last year from a big brokerage house but he recently started providing services to 12 clients who live in his neighborhood that he met while out golfing. Belinda who writes weekly investment articles for…
Read More
The Myth of High Income Taxes on Social Security Income
Good to Know You and your clients are planning their after-tax retirement income. Your client is apprehensive about how much of their retirement income will be siphoned off by Federal income tax in retirement. For many, if not most, clients you have great news. The combination of Social Security income (SSI) tax breaks and standard…
Read More
Book Value versus Market Cap
Course: Investment PlanningLesson 5: Fundamental Equity Analysis Student Question: How is a company’s book value different from the market cap? Instructor Response: Book value is an accounting concept generally based upon the acquisition costs of and the legally binding amounts of liabilities. It is the amount of cash that would be left over if all…
Read More
Calculating Realized Compound Yield on a Bond
An investor bought a bond at par that matures in 15 years. The bond pays an annual coupon of $120 and the reinvestment rate is 7%. What is the realized compound yield of this bond? 8.01% 9.71% 11.00% 12.10% CLICK TO REVEAL ANSWER Expand B is the answer. One would anticipate a realized compound yield…
Read More
Economic Uncertainty and Client Outlook
CFP® Certificants in the News How will geopolitical conflicts, elevated inflation, staggering Federal deficits, and high interest rates impact client expectations for 2024? Counterintuitively, a March 19, 2024 CFP Board news release announced an “overwhelmingly positive” client outlook for 2024. Referring to the pie chart below, over 9 of every 10 clients of CFP® practitioners…
Read More