Violations of Standards in Recommending Undervalued Stocks to Clients

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Question

Brown works for an investment counseling firm. Green, a new client of the firm, is meeting with Brown for the first time. Green used another counseling firm for financial advice for years, but she has switched her account to Brown's firm. After a few minutes of get-acquainted talk, Brown explained to Green that she has discovered a highly undervalued stock that offers large potential gains. She recommends that Green purchase the stock. Brown has committed a violation of the

Standards. What should she have done differently?

Answers

A. Brown should have determined Green's needs, objectives and tolerance for risk before making a recommendation for any type of security.

B. Brown should have explained her qualifications, including her education, training, experience and the meaning of the CFA designation.

C. Brown should have asked Green her reasons for changing counseling firms. If the discovery process indicated that Green had been treated unfairly at the other firm, Brown should have notified AIMR of any violation.

D. Brown should have thoroughly explained the characteristics of the company to Green, including the characteristics of the industry in which the company operates.

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Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

Brown has provided investment recommendation before making inquiries about the client's financial situation, investment experience or investment objectives.

Brown is thus violating Standard IV (B.2), Portfolio Investment Recommendations and Actions. Why the client changed investment firms is not useful information to provide suitable recommendations. The other answers indicate information members should discuss with their clients at the outset of the relationship, but these answers do not constitute a complete list of those factors.

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