Portfolio Management Styles

A is correct. Passive management typically has significantly lower fees and operating expenses because it involves minimal trading activity and no need for expensive research teams or active portfolio managers. This cost advantage is one of the key benefits of index investing.

B (Ability to outperform market benchmarks) is incorrect because passive management aims to match, not beat, the market benchmark. C (Superior returns during bear markets) is incorrect because passive strategies track the market both up and down without defensive positioning. D (Greater flexibility to avoid declining sectors) is incorrect because passive management maintains predetermined allocations regardless of market conditions.

B is correct. Strategic asset allocation establishes long-term target allocations based on the client's investment policy statement (IPS), reflecting their risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment objectives. This approach follows a buy-and-hold philosophy with periodic rebalancing to maintain the target allocations. Research shows that strategic asset allocation is the primary determinant of portfolio performance, accounting for over 90% of return variability.

A (Short-term portfolio adjustments based on market forecasts) describes tactical asset allocation, not strategic. C (Concentration in single maturity bonds) describes a bullet bond strategy, not asset allocation. D (Increasing equity exposure as portfolio values rise) describes CPPI (constant-proportion portfolio insurance), a dynamic allocation strategy.

D is correct. Growth investing focuses on companies with high growth potential, typically characterized by high price-to-earnings ratios, strong revenue growth, and reinvestment of earnings to fuel expansion rather than paying dividends. Growth investors seek capital appreciation rather than current income.

A (Value investing) is incorrect because value investors seek low P/E ratios and underpriced stocks trading below intrinsic value. B (Defensive investing) is incorrect because defensive strategies focus on stable, non-cyclical companies that provide protection during downturns. C (Income investing) is incorrect because income investors prioritize dividend-paying stocks, while the described style focuses on companies that reinvest earnings.

B is correct. Style drift occurs when a portfolio manager deviates from the stated investment style or strategy, such as shifting from growth-oriented technology stocks to defensive utility and consumer staples stocks. This represents a significant change in investment approach that may not align with the client's original objectives or the mandate outlined in the investment policy statement.

A (Strategic rebalancing) is incorrect because rebalancing involves returning to target allocations, not fundamentally changing the investment style. C (Tactical asset allocation) is incorrect because while tactical adjustments involve short-term deviations from strategic targets, the described shift represents a fundamental style change rather than a temporary adjustment. D (Dollar cost averaging) is incorrect because it refers to investing fixed amounts at regular intervals, not changing investment styles.

D is correct. The core-satellite approach combines a passive core (typically broad market index funds representing the bulk of the portfolio) with active satellite positions (actively managed funds seeking to generate alpha). This strategy provides the cost efficiency and diversification of passive investing while allowing for potential outperformance through active management in specific areas.

A (Tactical asset allocation) is incorrect because tactical allocation involves temporary deviations from strategic targets based on market conditions, not a permanent core-satellite structure. B (Pure passive management) is incorrect because the portfolio includes actively managed funds, not just passive index funds. C (Constant-proportion portfolio insurance) is incorrect because CPPI is a dynamic allocation strategy that adjusts equity exposure based on portfolio value relative to a floor, not a core-satellite structure.

C is correct. Index investing seeks to replicate the performance of a specific market benchmark (such as the S&P 500) by holding the same securities in the same proportions as the index. The goal is to match, not beat, the benchmark's return while minimizing costs and tracking error.

A (Attempt to outperform their benchmark) is incorrect because index funds aim to match, not outperform, the benchmark. B (Higher turnover rates than actively managed funds) is incorrect because index funds have much lower turnover since they only trade when the index composition changes, while active funds frequently buy and sell based on manager decisions. D (Require extensive research teams) is incorrect because index funds follow predetermined rules based on index composition and require minimal research compared to active management.

C is correct. Tactical asset allocation involves making short-term deviations from strategic target allocations to capitalize on perceived market opportunities or avoid anticipated risks. This more active approach attempts to enhance returns through market timing or temporary over/underweighting of asset classes.

A (Establishing long-term targets) describes strategic asset allocation, not tactical. B (Maintaining fixed percentage allocations through rebalancing) describes the constant-mix strategy or strategic allocation maintenance, not tactical adjustments. D (Strict buy-and-hold philosophy) describes strategic allocation or pure buy-and-hold strategies, which are the opposite of tactical allocation's active approach.

A is correct. Momentum investing is a strategy based on the belief that securities with strong recent performance will continue to perform well, at least in the near term. Momentum investors buy securities showing upward price trends and sell those with downward trends, following the principle that "the trend is your friend."

B (Contrarian investing) is the opposite approach, buying securities that have declined or are unpopular, betting on a reversal. C (Value investing) focuses on purchasing underpriced securities trading below intrinsic value based on fundamental analysis, not recent price momentum. D (Defensive investing) emphasizes stable, low-volatility securities that perform relatively well during downturns, regardless of recent momentum.

B is correct. A constant-mix strategy maintains fixed percentage allocations (such as 60% equities, 40% bonds) by rebalancing when market movements cause deviations from targets. After a market decline, equities would represent a smaller percentage of the portfolio, requiring the investor to buy equities (and sell bonds) to restore the target allocation. This creates a contrarian "buy low, sell high" discipline.

A (Sell equities to reduce risk) is incorrect because constant-mix requires buying the asset class that declined to maintain percentages. C (Maintain current positions) describes buy-and-hold, not constant-mix rebalancing. D (Shift entirely to fixed income) is incorrect because constant-mix maintains predetermined allocations across multiple asset classes rather than completely abandoning one.

B is correct. Sector rotation is an active investment strategy that involves shifting portfolio holdings among different economic sectors based on expected phases of the business cycle. Managers using this approach overweight cyclical sectors (like technology and consumer discretionary) during economic expansions and shift to defensive sectors (like utilities and consumer staples) during contractions. This strategy requires economic forecasting and market timing skills.

A (Dollar cost averaging) is a strategy for investing fixed amounts at regular intervals to reduce timing risk, not related to economic cycles. C (Bond laddering) involves staggered bond maturities to manage interest rate and reinvestment risk, not economic cycle positioning. D (Core-satellite approach) combines passive core holdings with active satellite positions, but does not specifically focus on economic cycle timing.