NASAA Series 65, Uniform Investment Adviser Law ExaminationClient Investment Recommendations and StrategiesEasy

An investment adviser is performing a risk assessment for a new client. The client expresses concern about the potential for a specific company's stock, which they heavily own, to decline due to poor management decisions. This type of risk is best categorized as:

  1. AInterest rate risk
  2. BSystematic risk
  3. CMarket risk
  4. DBusiness risk
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D. Business risk

Business risk refers to the specific risks associated with a particular company's operations, management, or industry. Poor management decisions directly fall under business risk, which is a form of unsystematic risk.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Interest rate risk relates to changes in interest rates affecting bond prices, not company-specific management issues.
  • B. Systematic risk is non-diversifiable market risk, affecting broad asset classes, not specific company management.
  • C. Market risk (systematic risk) affects all investments in the market, not just a single company due to management.

Business Risk

The risk inherent in a company's operations, management, and industry, which can impact its profitability and stock price.

  • A form of unsystematic risk.
  • Can be mitigated through diversification.
  • Examples include management incompetence, product obsolescence, or labor disputes.

Memory trick: Risks are like 'BAD' news: Business, Averse, Diversifiable.

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