CFA Level 1: Portfolio Manager Interview Question | Test Prep

Identifying the Reason for the Previous Portfolio Manager's Resignation

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Question

Maxime Rivela, CFA, is interviewing for a portfolio manager position with a medium-sized investment firm. At the interview, the hiring manager provides the following list of actions taken by the former portfolio manager. The hiring manager asks Rivela to identify which action most likely was the reason that the previous portfolio manager was asked to resign. The former portfolio manager likely:

Answers

A. managed a 40 year old attorney's portfolio with a strategy of a long time horizon and moderate risk.

B. used the following four-step portfolio management process - write a policy statement, develop the investment strategy, implement the plan, and monitor and update (rebalance) as needed.

C. set the objectives for a well-funded, local private college's endowment fund as total return focused primarily in long-term, taxable investments.

D. focused on timing and security selection when constructing a client investment strategy.

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Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

Even though these two investment decisions (timing and individual security selection) add value to the portfolio, the real foundation of returns comes from the original asset allocation policy decisions (determining allowable asset classes and weighting these classes). Empirical studies have shown that 85 percent to 95 percent of a portfolio's total return comes from the asset allocation policy decision.

The other choices describe appropriate actions. The 40 year old attorney is most likely in the consolidation phase of the investing life cycle, and a long time horizon and moderate risk strategy are appropriate. The steps in the four-step portfolio management process are correct and are listed in the correct order. The objective and investments for the endowment fund appear appropriate given the information in the question. Since endowments are tax-exempt, it would not necessarily benefit from tax-exempt securities.

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