Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) ExamUnderstanding Products and Their RisksMedium

Which of the following investment products is characterized by a fixed portfolio of securities, typically bonds, that are held until maturity, with no active management once the portfolio is established?

  1. AClosed-End Fund
  2. BUnit Investment Trust (UIT)
  3. CExchange Traded Fund (ETF)
  4. DOpen-End Mutual Fund
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B. Unit Investment Trust (UIT)

Unit Investment Trusts (UITs) are investment companies that offer a fixed portfolio of securities, usually bonds, which are held until the trust's termination date. Unlike mutual funds, UITs are unmanaged; the portfolio does not change.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Closed-end funds are actively managed and trade on exchanges; their portfolio changes.
  • C. ETFs are typically passively managed (tracking an index) but trade on exchanges and their portfolio can rebalance, not fixed until maturity.
  • D. Open-end mutual funds are actively managed, with a fluctuating portfolio.

Unit Investment Trust (UIT)

An investment company that offers a fixed portfolio of professional selected securities, typically bonds, that are held until the trust's termination date.

  • Fixed portfolio, generally unmanaged.
  • Issued in redeemable units.
  • Typically holds bonds until maturity.
  • No active trading within the portfolio.

Memory trick: UITs: Unmanaged, Unchanging, Until Termination.

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