Series 6: 5.1.5. Prohibited Mutual Fund Practices

5.1.5.  Prohibited Mutual Fund Practices

Breakpoint sales. Because breakpoints can be confusing to investors, registered representatives should help their customers understand and take advantage of breakpoints. If the investor could take advantage of a breakpoint, the representative should advise the investor of this, even if it means the commission is reduced. When a rep fails to do this and sells a mutual fund to a customer in an amount just under the breakpoint, the result is a breakpoint sale. Breakpoint sales are prohibited by FINRA.

Late trading. As noted earlier, investors who buy and sell shares of mutual funds receive the forward price, which is the NAV calculated at the end of the trading day. Typically, the NAV is calculated when markets close at 4:00 p.m. ET. If an order to buy or sell comes in after the NAV has been calculated, the investor should receive the NAV that is calculated on the following day. Late tra