SIE Securities Industry Essentials Exam (SIE) Questions and Answers

Buying a put option gives the investor the right to sell a stock at a specific strike price, effectively setting a floor for potential losses if the stock price declines. This is a common risk-management strategy.

A is correctbecause buying puts limits downside risk while retaining the potential for upside gains.

Bis incorrect as buying puts is a bearish strategy, not one used during upward momentum.

Cis incorrect because selling call options does not hedge losses; it is a speculative or income-generating strategy.

Dis incorrect because buying calls is a bullish strategy, used during upward momentum, not downward.

In cumulative voting, shareholders can allocate all their votes to a single candidate. The total number of votes is calculated by multiplying the number of shares owned by the number of seats available:

Total votes = 100 shares × 10 seats =1,000 votes.

The investor can allocate all votes to one candidate.

C is correctbecause cumulative voting allows all votes to be concentrated.

Step by Step Explanation:

Low Liquidity: Hedge funds often impose lock-up periods and restrict redemptions, leading to low liquidity for investors.

Incorrect Options:

B: Hedge funds typically have high minimum investment requirements, often $1 million or more.

C: Hedge funds employ diverse strategies, not just fixed income.

D: Hedge funds are generally opaque about their strategies and holdings to protect their competitive advantage.

References:

SEC Investor Bulletin on Hedge Funds: SEC Hedge Funds.

Step by Step Explanation:

Warrants: These are long-term options issued by a company that give the holder the right to buy shares at a specific price before expiration. They are typically attached to bond or stock offerings to make them more attractive.

Incorrect Options:

A: Warrants do not pay interest.

B: Refers to callable bonds, not warrants.

D: Describes municipal bonds, not warrants.

References:

SEC Guide to Warrants and Options: SEC Warrants Information.

529 savings plans are state-sponsored education savings accounts that offer tax-advantaged growth. Key features include:

Contributions are not federally tax deductible (some states offer state-level deductions).

No income limitations for contributions.

The account owner, not the beneficiary, controls the plan.

Assets can be transferred tax-free to another family member’s 529 plan.

D is correctbecause tax-free rollovers are allowed for family members of the current beneficiary.

Ais incorrect as contributions are not universally tax deductible.

Bis incorrect as there are no income limitations for contributing.

Cis incorrect because the account owner, not the beneficiary, controls the assets.

Step by Step Explanation:

Hypothecation Agreement: Required for margin accounts, it authorizes the broker-dealer to use the customer's margin securities as collateral to secure loans for funding customer transactions.

Incorrect Options:

A: Sharing customer information is regulated under privacy rules (Regulation S-P).

B: Unauthorized trading violates securities laws.

C: Selling unpaid securities in cash accounts pertains to Regulation T, not hypothecation agreements.

References:

FINRA Margin Account Rules: FINRA Rule 4210.

American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) allow U.S. investors to efficiently invest in foreign corporations without the need to trade on foreign exchanges. ADRs are traded on U.S. exchanges and represent shares of foreign companies.

D is correctbecause ADRs are designed for this purpose, simplifying currency exchange and reporting requirements for U.S. investors.

Ais incorrect because directly purchasing an ETF on a foreign exchange requires additional steps, such as foreign account setup.

Bis incorrect because options are derivative products, not direct investments in the stock.

Cis less efficient because mutual funds may not provide direct exposure to the specific corporation.

Step by Step Explanation:

Front Running Definition: Occurs when a broker executes a personal trade ahead of a customer’s order to profit from the anticipated market movement.

Thinly Traded Security: Front running is particularly impactful in low-liquidity securities.

Other Options:

Selling Away: Involves unapproved securities transactions outside the employing firm.

Insider Trading: Involves trading on material non-public information.

Market Manipulation: Encompasses activities like wash trading or spoofing, not specific to this scenario.

References:

FINRA Rule 5270 (Front Running of Block Transactions): FINRA Rule 5270.

Step by Step Explanation:

Government Bond Funds: Invest in government-backed securities, but the value of the fund itself is not guaranteed by the government, as these funds are subject to market risks.

Incorrect Options:

A: Diversification depends on the fund’s investment strategy.

B: Interest/dividend payments may fluctuate.

C: If interest rates fall, NAVs typically rise, not drop.

References:

SEC Guidance on Mutual Funds: SEC Government Bond Funds.

Step by Step Explanation:

Prohibition on Signing Customer Names: It is never permissible to sign a customer's name without written authorization (POA) due to legal and ethical concerns. Unauthorized signing constitutes forgery and violates FINRA rules.

Incorrect Options:

A: Firm principal approval does not override this prohibition.

B: Verbal authorization is insufficient.

C: Discretionary authority does not allow unauthorized signing.

References:

FINRA Rule 4512 (Customer Account Information): FINRA Rule 4512.

A pass-through entity does not pay corporate income taxes; instead, income is passed to owners, who report it on their individual tax returns.

A is correctbecause C corporations are not pass-through entities; they pay corporate taxes.

B,C, andDare all pass-through entities for tax purposes.

Step by Step Explanation:

FINRA Rule 3240: Permits borrowing or lending arrangements between RRs and customers under specific conditions, including familial relationships, provided the arrangement complies with the firm’s policies.

Incorrect Options:

A: FINRA approval is not required; firm approval is.

B: A written agreement alone is insufficient without firm approval.

C: Commercially reasonable terms are not the sole criterion for permissibility.

References:

FINRA Rule 3240 (Borrowing from or Lending to Customers): FINRA Rule 3240.

Accounts held individually are subject to probate, which is the legal process of administering the decedent’s estate. Probate determines the distribution of assets according to the deceased’s will or state intestacy laws.

A is correctbecause individual accounts require probate to transfer assets.

Bis incorrect because irrevocable trusts bypass probate.

Cis incorrect because TOD accounts allow direct transfer of assets to named beneficiarieswithout probate.

Dis incorrect because JTWROS accounts transfer ownership to the surviving account holder automatically.

During the "quiet period" after filing the registration statement, issuers are restricted in what they can communicate to the public to avoid influencing the market.

C is correctbecause promotional statements, such as those supporting the company’s valuation, are prohibited during this time.

A,B, andDare factual, non-promotional statements and are permitted.

An unrealized gain occurs when the value of an asset increases but has not yet been sold. If the customer sells the stock, the unrealized gain becomes a realized gain.

B is correctbecause the increase in value without selling the stock is an unrealized gain.

Ais incorrect because interest income refers to earnings from fixed-income securities.

Cis incorrect because operating profit relates to a company’s earnings, not an investor’s portfolio.

Dis incorrect because "out of the money" is a term used for options, not stocks.

Mutual funds are traded based on forward pricing. Orders received after the market closes are executed at the NAV calculated at the next market close.

A is correctbecause it aligns with forward pricing rules.

B,C, andDare incorrect as they do not follow mutual fund trade practices.

Step by Step Explanation:

Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIPs): These allow investors to automatically reinvest income distributed by the mutual fund to purchase additional shares.

Dollar Cost Averaging: Refers to systematic investments over time, not directly tied to income distributions.

Capital Gains Reinvestment: Involves reinvesting profits from the sale of fund holdings, which is distinct from dividend reinvestment.

References:

FINRA Mutual Fund Features: FINRA Mutual Funds.

Step by Step Explanation:

Variable Life Insurance: The cash value depends on the performance of the underlying investment options.

Fluctuating Market Conditions: Since the cash value is linked to market performance, fluctuations directly impact its value.

Beneficiary/Death Benefit Changes: These do not directly impact the cash value unless they involve additional costs or changes to premiums.

References:

SEC Bulletin on Variable Life Insurance: SEC Variable Insurance.

Under Federal Reserve Regulation T, customers must deposit at least 50% of the purchase price for margin trades. However, theminimum deposit requirement is $2,000, regardless of the 50% rule, if the account is below this threshold.

50% of $3,000 = $1,500.

Since $1,500 is less than the $2,000 minimum, the customer must deposit the full $2,000.

B is correctbecause $2,000 is the required minimum deposit.

Ais incorrect because the $1,500 calculation does not meet the minimum.

CandDare incorrect because they exceed the minimum deposit requirement.

The primary market deals with the issuance of new securities, which is regulated under the Securities Act of 1933. This act requires issuers to provide full disclosure of material information to investors to ensure transparency and fairness in new offerings.

A is correctbecause the Securities Act of 1933 governs initial offerings.

Bis incorrect because the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regulates secondary market trading.

Cis incorrect because the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 pertains to investment advisers.

Dis incorrect because the Investment Company Act of 1940 governs mutual funds and other investment companies.

When an economy operates near full capacity, additional money in circulation leads to inflation, as demand exceeds the economy’s ability to increase supply.

B is correctbecause inflation is the primary impact when supply cannot keep up with excess demand.

Ais incorrect because output does not significantly increase when capacity is already maximized.

Cis incorrect because velocity measures the rate at which money circulates, not the impact of oversupply.

Dis incorrect as unemployment is already low when the economy is at full capacity.

Money market mutual funds invest in highly liquid, short-term debt instruments, such as Treasury bills, commercial paper, and certificates of deposit. While the funds aim to maintain a stable $1 NAV, this is not guaranteed.

C is correctbecause the fund’s investments are short term.

Ais incorrect because the rate of return is not fixed; it varies with market interest rates.

Bis incorrect because while the fund tries to maintain a $1 NAV, it is not guaranteed.

Dis incorrect because yields do not always exceed those of savings accounts.

The beta coefficient measures the sensitivity of a stock's returns relative to the overall market (usually the S&P 500). A beta of:

1.0indicates the stock moves in line with the market.

Greater than 1.0suggests the stock is more volatile than the market.

Less than 1.0suggests the stock is less volatile.

D is correctbecause beta specifically compares the volatility of a stock to the market.

Ais incorrect as beta does not measure the market’s volatility.

Bis incorrect as beta considers both upside and downside movements.

Cis incorrect as beta does not measure liquidity.

Step by Step Explanation:

Ex-Dividend Date Pricing: On the ex-dividend date, the mutual fund's price is adjusted downward by the amount of the dividend.

Closing Price: $10.00

Dividend: $0.25

Adjusted Opening Price: $10.00 - $0.25 = $9.75.

Incorrect Options:

A: $9.25 subtracts more than the dividend amount.

C: $10.00 does not reflect the dividend adjustment.

D: $10.25 adds to the price rather than subtracting the dividend.

References:

SEC Guidance on Mutual Fund Pricing: SEC Mutual Funds.

Step by Step Explanation:

FINRA Rule 1122: Requires that registered representatives update their residential address with FINRA for two years post-termination.

Purpose: This ensures accurate records for potential regulatory inquiries during the statutory two-year period when a terminated individual remains subject to FINRA’s jurisdiction.

References:

FINRA Rule 1122 (Filing False or Misleading Information): FINRA Rule 1122.

SEC Regulation A provides a registration exemption for smaller public offerings but includes a "bad actor" disqualification. If certain key parties, such as the issuer, underwriter, or affiliates, have been involved in securities violations, the exemption is forfeited.

B is correctbecause underwriters are considered essential participants, and their status as bad actors disqualifies the offering.

A,C, andDare incorrect because custodians, transfer agents, and clearing corporations are not included in the "bad actor" provisions of Regulation A.

FINRA Rule 5130 restricts participation in IPOs for certain individuals (e.g., restricted persons) to prevent potential conflicts of interest. Restricted persons include employees of broker-dealers and their immediate family members.

C is correctbecause the president of a local bank is not considered a restricted person under FINRA Rule 5130.

Ais incorrect because employees (registered or not) of broker-dealers are restricted.

Bis incorrect because immediate family members of broker-dealer employees are restricted,even if unemployed.

Dis incorrect because the immediate family of a registered representative is restricted.

In a UTMA account, the minor is the legal owner of the account. The custodian (in this case, the attorney) manages the account until the minor reaches the age of majority specified by state law.

C is correctbecause the grandson (the minor) is the account’s legal owner.

Ais incorrect because the attorney is the custodian, not the owner.

Bis incorrect because the grandfather established the account but does not own it.

Dis incorrect because the parent does not have ownership unless explicitly named as the custodian.

Step by Step Explanation:

Cost Basis in Reverse Split: The total cost basis remains unchanged in a reverse stock split. Only the number of shares and price per share adjust.

Pre-Split: 1,000 shares at $5 each = $5,000.

Post-Split: 200 shares at $25 each = $5,000.

Incorrect Options:

A, B, and D: Do not reflect the unchanged total cost basis.

References:

IRS Guidance on Stock Splits: IRS Stock Split Info.

Step by Step Explanation:

REIT Requirements: REITs must invest at least 75% of their total assets in real estate to qualify for favorable tax treatment under IRS regulations.

90% Rule: Refers to the distribution requirement for taxable income, not asset allocation.

100% Rule: There is no requirement to allocate 100% of assets to real estate.

References:

IRS Publication 542 (Real Estate Investment Trusts):IRS REIT Guidelines.

When a firm acts in a principal capacity, it trades securities for its own account, buying or selling directly to or from its inventory. The firm’s role differs from an agency capacity, where it acts as an intermediary.

A is correctbecause principal capacity involves selling directly from the firm's inventory.

B,C, andDare incorrect because these scenarios describe agency transactions, where the firm facilitates trades between two parties.

Form U4 (Uniform Application for Securities Industry Registration or Transfer) requires disclosure of any felony convictions, regardless of whether they are securities-related. A felony conviction for drunk driving falls under this requirement.

B is correctbecause a felony conviction must be reported on Form U4.

Ais incorrect as misdemeanor speeding tickets do not require disclosure unless they involve fraud, theft, or dishonesty.

Cis incorrect as bench warrants are not reportable unless they lead to a conviction.

Dis incorrect because gross misdemeanors (except those involving fraud or dishonesty) do not require reporting.

FINRA prohibits the payment of referral fees or splitting of commissions with individuals who are not registered with a broker-dealer. However, taking a friend out to dinner as a gesture of gratitude is allowed, as it does not involve cash or monetary compensation directly tied to the referral.

C is correctbecause non-monetary expressions of gratitude (like a dinner) are permitted under FINRA rules.

Ais incorrect because commission splitting with unregistered individuals is prohibited.

Bis incorrect because paying referral fees is also prohibited without registration.

Dis incorrect because giving prepaid credit cards tied to commission income violates compensation rules.

Purchasing a put option allows the customer to sell the stock at a predetermined price (the strike price) if the share price declines. This strategy protects against downside risk while maintaining upside potential.

C is correctbecause a put acts as insurance, locking in a minimum sale price.

Ais incorrect because selling a put exposes the investor to additional risk if the stock declines.

Bis incorrect because selling a call generates income but does not protect against downside risk.

Dis incorrect because purchasing a call is a bullish strategy unrelated to protecting existing positions.

Step by Step Explanation:

Negotiated Offering: Occurs when the issuer directly selects an underwriter and negotiates terms. Common in municipal bond issuances.

Incorrect Options:

A: Follow-on offerings apply to subsequent issuances of equity securities.

C: Competitive offerings involve multiple underwriters submitting bids.

D: Best-efforts offerings do not guarantee the sale of all securities.

References:

MSRB Overview of Municipal Offerings:MSRB Offerings.

FINRA’s Continuing Education (CE) requirements include the Regulatory Element, which must be completed:

Within 120 days of the second anniversary of a registered representative’s initialregistration.

Every three years thereafter (changed to every two years as of 2023).

C is correctbecause registered persons must complete the CE Regulatory Element after their initial requirement and then every two years.

AandBare incorrect because CE is not required annually or semiannually.

Dis incorrect because CE is not tied to customer complaints.

Step by Step Explanation:

National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC): A subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), the NSCC handles the clearance and settlement of broker-to-broker equity, corporate bond, municipal bond, and UIT transactions.

Incorrect Options:

A: The SEC oversees regulatory compliance but does not settle trades.

B: FINRA is a self-regulatory organization, not a clearing entity.

C: The Federal Reserve manages monetary policy and banking but is not involved in securities settlement.

References:

DTCC Overview of NSCC:DTCC NSCC.

Step by Step Explanation:

ETF Expense Ratios: ETFs generally have lower expense ratios compared to mutual fundsdue to their passive management style.

Incorrect Options:

A: ETFs do not have sales loads; they are traded like stocks.

B: ETFs can be purchased on margin, like other equities.

C: ETFs are traded throughout the day at market prices, not NAV.

References:

SEC ETF Fact Sheet: SEC ETF Info.

XYZ bonds have a yield higher than the coupon rate, indicating that their market price has decreased due to concerns about the issuer's creditworthiness.

A is correctbecause the high yield suggests elevated credit risk.

Bis incorrect because domestic utility companies are unlikely to face political risk.

Cis irrelevant as the bonds are denominated in U.S. dollars.

Dis incorrect as prepayment risk is associated with callable bonds, not noncallable bonds.

Step by Step Explanation:

Discount Bonds: These are issued or traded below par value. Over time, their price moves closer to par as they approach maturity, assuming yields remain constant.

Other Options:

Par Value Changes: The par value of a bond does not change over time; only its price fluctuates.

References:

SEC and FINRA Bond Basics: SEC Discount Bonds.

The sales load is calculated as a percentage of the POP, using the formula:Sales load = (POP − NAV) ÷ POP × 100

POP = $15.50, NAV = $14.35.

Sales load = ($15.50 − $14.35) ÷ $15.50 × 100 =8.50%.

C is correctbecause the calculation results in an 8.50% load.

A,B, andDare incorrect due to incorrect calculations.

Step by Step Explanation:

Form U4 Reporting Requirements: Registered persons must disclose criminal charges (excluding minor traffic violations) and material changes such as residential address changes. Gambling-related misdemeanors are considered reportable.

Incorrect Options:

Speeding Ticket: Typically not reportable unless it involves a felony.

Business Telephone Number: Not material for Form U4.

References:

FINRA Form U4 Instructions: FINRA Form U4.

The federal funds rate, which is the interest rate banks charge each other for overnight loans, changes frequently due to daily fluctuations in bank reserves and market conditions.

D is correctas it is the most sensitive to short-term market forces.

A,B, andCchange less frequently.

Passive ETFs track an index and require minimal management, leading to lower expenses compared to actively managed ETFs.

D is correctbecause passive ETFs are cost-efficient and have lower fees.

Ais incorrect because index ETFs have low turnover since they replicate an index.

Bis incorrect because ETFs are priced continuously throughout the trading day.

Cis incorrect as ETFs aim to match, not outperform, the index.

Step by Step Explanation:

Closed-End Funds: Trade on exchanges like stocks, and the investor receives the bid price (market price) minus any applicable commissions.

Incorrect Options:

A & B: NAV applies to open-end mutual funds, not closed-end funds.

D: POP applies to initial sales of mutual fund shares.

References:

SEC Guidance on Closed-End Funds: SEC Closed-End Funds.

Redeemable securities are those that can be sold back to the issuer.

D is correctbecause unit investment trusts (UITs) issue redeemable securities.

Cis incorrect because closed-end fund shares are traded on secondary markets, not redeemable.

AandBdo not meet the definition of redeemable securities.