Study Question of the Month – December

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available! Relevant to the Series 7, Series 27, and Series 52. –ANSWER POSTED– Continue reading

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available!

***Submit your answer to info@solomonexamprep.com to be entered to win a $10 Starbucks gift card.***

Study Question

Question (Relevant to the Series 7, Series 27, and Series 52): John Johnson is interested in investing in municipal bonds, but wants to be sure he can convert his investment to cash quickly in case an unexpected expense comes up. Which of the following investments would allow John to return the investment to the issuer and receive money prior to maturity?

Answers:

A. Moral obligation bond

B. Revenue anticipation note

C. Zero-coupon bond

D. Variable-rate demand obligation

Correct Answer: D. Variable-rate demand obligation

Rationale: Variable-rate demand obligations (VRDOs) contain a put option, which gives investors the right to put the security back to the issuer at any time, at a price equal to the bond’s face value plus accrued interest. For example, assume that an investor has a VRDO with a face value of $1,000 and accrued interest of $30. The security will mature in a little under three months. Due to a pressing medical expense, the investor decides to return the VRDO to the issuer and receive the $1,030.

Congratulations Marty T., this month’s Study Question of the Month winner!

Study Question of the Month – November

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available. Relevant to the Series 6, 7, 62, 65 and 79. –ANSWER POSTED– Continue reading

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available.

***Submit your answer to info@solomonexamprep.com to be entered to win a $10 Starbucks gift card.***

Study Question

Question (Relevant to the Series 6Series 7Series 62Series 65 and Series 79): A few years back ABC Corporation issued callable bonds yielding 6%. The call price is 104, and the call protection period has ended. The bonds are trading at 105 today. Which of the following are true:

I. The current yield on these bonds is 6.3%

II. The current yield on these bonds is 5.7%

III. There is a good chance the bonds will be called

IV. There is a good chance the bonds will not be called

Answers: 

A. I and III

B. I and IV

C. II and III

D. II and IV

Correct Answer: C. II and III

Rationale: The formula for calculating current yield is the annual interest on the bond ($60) divided by the current price of the bond ($1050) which is equal to 5.7%. Because ABC can finance the debt at a lower interest rate than they are currently paying there is a good chance that they will call the bonds.

Congratulations Stephen Z., this month’s Study Question of the Month winner!

All study questions are from Solomon’s industry-leading Online Exam Simulator.

Study Question of the Month – October

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available. Relevant to the Series 7, 52, 62, 65 and 66. –ANSWER POSTED– Continue reading

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available.

***Submit your answer to info@solomonexamprep.com to be entered to win a $10 Starbucks gift card.***

Study Question

Question (Relevant to the Series 7, Series 52, Series 62Series 65 and Series 66):

The interest rate on a SLGS certificate or bond can never fall below:

Answers:

A. The Treasury rate

B. One basis point above the Treasury rate

C. One basis point below the Treasury rate

D. Zero

Correct Answer: D. Zero

Rationale: The SLGS interest rate is always one basis point below the Treasury security that has a comparable maturity, unless the Treasury rate itself equals zero, which is the floor below which the interest rate on a SLGS cannot go. In this case the Treasury rate and the SLGS rate will be equal.

 

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Study Question of the Month – September

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available. Relevant to the Series 65 and 66. –ANSWER POSTED– Continue reading

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available.

***Submit your answer to info@solomonexamprep.com to be entered to win a $10 Starbucks gift card.***

Study Question

Question (Relevant to the Series 65 and Series 66):

Daredevil Dave, a famous skydiver, is your client. “Double D“ as he is known, comes to you and tells you that in 18 months he is planning on doing his most dangerous dive yet: a free fall from an orbiting space station. Double D says that he doesn’t have life insurance and in case he doesn’t survive this space dive, he wants to make sure his family will be provided for. He wants them to receive a monthly payment of $5,000 in perpetuity. He asks you how much money he will need to pay now in order to achieve this. Assuming a 2% rate of return, and assuming this is going to be Double D’s last dive, you tell him that he will need to contribute:

Answers:

A. $3 million

B. $6 million

C. $9 million

D. $12 million

Correct Answer: A. $3 million

Rationale: A perpetuity is an annuity or stream of payments without end. To calculate the present value of a perpetuity, you divide the periodic payment by the rate of return (also known as interest rate or yield). In this case there are two ways to reach the answer: (1) Divide the 2% rate of return by 12 to get the monthly rate of return: 0.001667, then divide the monthly payment by the monthly rate of return: $5,000/0.001667 = $2,999,400 or (2) Multiply $5,000 times 12 months to get a $60,000 annualized payment to the family and then divide that by the 2% yield or $60,000/.02 = $3 million.

Congratulations Kate F., this month’s Study Question of the Month winner!

All study questions are from Solomon’s industry-leading Online Exam Simulator.

Study Question of the Month – June

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available. Relevant to the Series 24, 26, 27, 28, 62, and 99. –ANSWER POSTED– Continue reading

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available.

***Submit your answer to info@solomonexamprep.com to be entered to win a $10 Starbucks gift card.***

Study Question

Question (Relevant to the Series 24Series 26Series 27, Series 28, Series 62, and Series 99):

Which of the following is true regarding lost and stolen security reporting requirements?

I. All reports of securities that have been lost for one business day should be reported to the Commission

II. All reports of lost securities in which there is a substantial belief that theft was involved should be reported to the Commission

III. All reports of lost or stolen securities should be reported promptly to the FBI

IV. All reports of lost securities in which there is a substantial belief that theft was involved should be reported to the FBI

Answers:

A. I and III

B. II and IV

C. I and IV

D. II and III

Correct Answer: B. II and IV

Rationale: All reports in which there is substantial belief that theft was involved should be reported to the Commission within one business day of such a discovery. In addition, when there is believed to be criminal activity involved, it should be reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Securities that have been lost for two business days should be reported to the Commission when criminal activity is not suspected.

Congratulations Roseann L., this month’s Study Question of the Month winner!

All study questions are from Solomon’s industry-leading Online Exam Simulator.

Study Question of the Month – May

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available. Relevant to the Series 6, 7, 24, 26, 27, and 28. –ANSWER POSTED– Continue reading

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available.

***Submit your answer to info@solomonexamprep.com to be entered to win a $10 Starbucks gift card.***

Study Question

Question (Relevant to the Series 6, Series 7, Series 24, Series 26, Series 27, and Series 28):

According to the Code of Arbitration, excluding claims alleging discrimination or sexual harassment, arbitration of disputes is mandatory for all of the following except:

Answers:

A. Disputes between two member firms

B. Disputes brought by member firms against customers, if required by contract

C. Disputes brought by member firms against customers for claims in excess of $25,000

D. Disputes brought by associated persons against customers, if the customer consents

Correct Answer: C. Disputes brought by member firms against customers for claims in excess of $25,000

Rationale: Arbitration of disputes involving customers is mandatory only if the customer consents to arbitration or if required by contract. Claims alleging discrimination or sexual harassment cannot be arbitrated, except by agreement of all disputing parties.

(No winner this month. There were no correct answers submitted. Try back next month!)

Weekly study questions are from Solomon’s industry-leading Online Exam Simulator.

Study Question of the Month – April

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available. Relevant to the Series 63, 65, and 66. –ANSWER POSTED– Continue reading

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available.

***Submit your answer to info@solomonexamprep.com to be entered to win a $10 Starbucks gift card.***

Study Question

Question (Relevant to the Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66):

Jenny is an administrative assistant who mans the phones over the lunch hour for a broker-dealer. She occasionally takes orders while the sales staff is on lunch, but does not solicit orders. She is not compensated directly for the orders she takes. Which of the following is true under the Uniform Securities Act?

Answers:

A. Jenny does not need to register if she only takes unsolicited orders.

B. Jenny does not need to register since her job function is mostly clerical in nature.

C. Jenny needs to register as an agent for the broker-dealer.

D. Jenny does not need to register because she is not compensated for the orders she takes.

Correct Answer: C. Jenny needs to register as an agent for the broker-dealer.

Rationale: Even though Jenny’s job is clerical in nature, if she takes orders, even unsolicited orders, she must register as an agent for the broker-dealer. Interestingly, she is allowed to read off bond quotes or stock prices over the phone and she may access account information without having to register as an agent.

Congratulations! This month’s winner is Jessi B.

Weekly study questions are from Solomon’s industry-leading Online Exam Simulator.

Study Question of the Month – March

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available. Relevant to the Series 7, 24, 27, 62, 79, 82, and 99. –ANSWER POSTED– Continue reading

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available.

***Submit your answer to info@solomonexamprep.com to be entered to win a $10 Starbucks gift card.***

Study Question

Question (Relevant to the Series 7, Series 24, Series 27, Series 62, Series 79, Series 82, and Series 99):

Jenny is an employee of a broker-dealer. She is a receptionist at the firm and is not a registered representative. She would like to purchase shares in an IPO that she has recently heard about at her office. Which of the following BEST describes her participation?

Answers:

A. Jenny may purchase shares of the IPO on the same basis as other customers.

B. Jenny is prohibited from purchasing shares of the IPO, but her spouse who she supports may purchase shares on the same basis as other customers.

C. Jenny may purchase shares of the IPO as long as the purchase quantity doesn’t exceed 200 shares.

D. Jenny is prohibited from purchasing shares of the IPO.

Correct Answer: D. Jenny is prohibited from purchasing shares of the IPO.

Rationale: FINRA Rule 5130 – Restrictions on the Purchase and Sale of Initial Equity Public Offerings – prohibits a member firm (broker/dealer) from selling shares of an IPO to an account in which a “restricted person“ has a beneficial interest, subject to certain limited exceptions. All employees of a broker-dealer are considered “restricted persons“ under the rule.

Congratulations! This month’s winner is Alexandra K.

Weekly study questions are from Solomon’s industry-leading Online Exam Simulator.

Study Question of the Month – February

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available. Relevant to the Series 7, 52, and 65. –ANSWER POSTED– Continue reading

This month’s study question from the Solomon Online Exam Simulator question database is now available.

***Submit your answer to info@solomonexamprep.com to be entered to win a $10 Starbucks gift card.***

 Study Question

Question (Relevant to the Series 7Series 52, and Series 65) 

Jenny lives in Minnesota. She is comparing a Washington state municipal bond that pays 5% to similar corporate bonds. She has a federal tax rate of 20% and a State rate of 4%. What yield will the corporate bond have to pay to be equivalent to the municipal bond?

Answers:

A. 4%

B. 5%

C. 6.25%

D. 6.58%

Correct Answer: C. 6.25%

Rationale: Because Jenny lives in Minnesota, the interest on her municipal bond will be tax-exempt at the federal level, but not at the state level. To calculate the tax-equivalent yield of a municipal bond, simply take the rate of the municipal bond and divide it by 1 minus the tax rate. So the tax equivalent yield = .05/(1-.20) = .0625 or 6.25%.

Congratulations! This month’s winner is Ruth K.

Weekly study questions are from Solomon’s industry-leading Online Exam Simulator.