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CFA ESG-Investing Exam Questions
Certificate in ESG Investing (Page 8 )

Updated On: 21-Feb-2026
Page 8 of 95
PDF with 618 Questions

In ESG integration, which of the following best describes a data-mformed analytical opinion designed to support investment decision-making?

  1. ESG screening
  2. Integrated research
  3. Voting and governance advice

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

In ESG integration, a data-informed analytical opinion designed to support investment decision- making is best described as integrated research. Integrated research involves the incorporation of ESG data and analysis into the traditional financial analysis to form a comprehensive view of an investment's potential risks and opportunities.

Holistic Analysis: Integrated research combines ESG factors with traditional financial metrics to provide a more complete assessment of an investment. This approach helps in identifying both financial and non-financial risks and opportunities.

Informed Decision-Making: By integrating ESG data into the investment analysis, investors can make more informed decisions that consider the long-term sustainability and impact of their investments.

Enhanced Due Diligence: Integrated research enhances the due diligence process by evaluating how

ESG factors may affect the financial performance and risk profile of an investment.


Reference:

MSCI ESG Ratings Methodology (2022) - Emphasizes the importance of integrating ESG data into investment research to support decision-making.

ESG-Ratings-Methodology-Exec-Summary (2022) - Highlights the role of integrated research in comprehensive ESG analysis and its impact on investment strategies.



Which of the following ESG investment approaches would most appropriately be used to construct a balanced and diversified portfolio?

  1. Thematic investing
  2. Screening on a relative basis
  3. Screening on an absolute basis

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Screening on a relative basis would most appropriately be used to construct a balanced and diversified portfolio. This approach involves comparing companies within the same industry or sector and selecting those that perform better on ESG criteria relative to their peers.

Relative Comparison: Screening on a relative basis allows investors to identify the best-performing companies within each sector or industry, ensuring a balanced approach across different segments of the market.

Diversification: By selecting top ESG performers from various industries, investors can maintain a diversified portfolio while still adhering to ESG principles. This helps in spreading risk across different sectors.

Sector-Neutral: This approach ensures that the portfolio is not overly concentrated in specific sectors, which can happen with thematic investing or absolute screening. It allows for sector-neutrality, maintaining exposure to a broad range of industries.


Reference:

MSCI ESG Ratings Methodology (2022) - Discusses the benefits of relative ESG screening for constructing diversified portfolios.

ESG-Ratings-Methodology-Exec-Summary (2022) - Highlights the importance of maintaining diversification while applying ESG criteria in portfolio construction.



Compared to an optimal portfolio that does not have any ESG restrictions a portfolio that optimizes for multiple ESG factors will most likely experience

  1. lower active risk
  2. higher active risk.
  3. lower tracking error

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Compared to an optimal portfolio that does not have any ESG restrictions, a portfolio that optimizes for multiple ESG factors will most likely experience higher active risk. Active risk, also known as tracking error, measures the deviation of a portfolio's returns from its benchmark.

Constraints and Limitations: Applying multiple ESG factors imposes constraints on the investment universe. This limitation can lead to deviations from the benchmark, as the portfolio may exclude certain stocks or sectors that are present in the benchmark.

Sector and Stock Exclusions: By optimizing for ESG factors, the portfolio may exclude high-performing stocks or entire sectors that do not meet ESG criteria. This exclusion can increase the portfolio's active risk compared to a traditional optimal portfolio.

Potential for Divergence: The focus on ESG factors can lead to a different composition of the portfolio relative to the benchmark, resulting in potential performance divergence and higher active risk.


Reference:

MSCI ESG Ratings Methodology (2022) - Highlights the potential for increased active risk when integrating multiple ESG factors into portfolio optimization.

ESG-Ratings-Methodology-Exec-Summary (2022) - Discusses the impact of ESG constraints on portfolio performance and tracking error.



The Sustamalytics database is most likely used for:

  1. manager ESG assessment
  2. company ESG assessment.
  3. creating an ESG benchmark

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The Sustainalytics database is primarily used for company ESG assessment. Here's a detailed explanation:

Company ESG Assessment:

Sustainalytics provides detailed ESG ratings and research for individual companies. Their assessments cover various ESG risks and opportunities that companies face, and these ratings are used by investors to evaluate the ESG performance of companies.

The database includes ESG Risk Ratings that measure the degree to which a company's economic value is at risk due to ESG factors. These ratings help investors integrate ESG considerations into their investment processes.

CFA ESG Investing


Reference:

The CFA Institute's ESG curriculum highlights the role of Sustainalytics in providing comprehensive ESG assessments of companies. These assessments are crucial for investors looking to incorporate ESG factors into their investment decisions.



According to the Capitals Coalition, the stock of renewable and non-renewable natural resources that combine to yield a flow of benefits to people is best described as

  1. nature
  2. natural capital.
  3. ecosystem assets

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

According to the Capitals Coalition, the stock of renewable and non-renewable natural resources that combine to yield a flow of benefits to people is best described as natural capital. Here's a detailed explanation:

Natural Capital:

Natural capital refers to the world's stocks of natural assets including geology, soil, air, water, and all living things. It is from this natural capital that humans derive a wide range of ecosystem services that make human life possible.

The Capitals Coalition defines natural capital as the stock of renewable and non-renewable natural resources (such as plants, animals, air, water, soils, and minerals) that combine to yield a flow of benefits to people.

CFA ESG Investing


Reference:

The CFA Institute's ESG curriculum discusses natural capital extensively, emphasizing its importance in sustainable investing and the need for integrating natural capital considerations into financial decision-making.






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