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Free CFA® Sustainable-Investing Exam Questions (page: 16)

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PDF with 802 Questions

Organizing companies according to their sustainability attributes, such as resource intensity, sustainability risks, and innovation opportunities, best describes the:

  1. Morningstar sustainability rating.
  2. Sustainable Industry Classification System (SICS).
  3. Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The Sustainable Industry Classification System (SICS) organizes companies according to their sustainability attributes such as resource intensity, sustainability risks, and innovation opportunities. SICS is specifically designed to highlight the sustainability aspects of industries and companies, allowing for better comparison and analysis of their ESG performance. The Morningstar sustainability rating and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures(TCFD) serve different purposes, with Morningstar providing ratings and TCFD focusing on climate-related financial disclosures.



A hurdle to adopting ESG investing is most likely a:

  1. lack of suitable benchmarks.
  2. focus on short-term performance.
  3. lack of options outside of equities.

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

A significant hurdle to adopting ESG investing is the lack of suitable benchmarks. Investors often need benchmarks to measure performance relative to specific goals or standards. The development of appropriate benchmarks for ESG investing is challenging due to the diverse and evolving nature of ESG factors. According to the MSCI ESG Ratings Methodology, integrating ESG factors into investment processes requires robust benchmarks that accurately reflect ESG risks and opportunities. Without these benchmarks, it is difficult for asset managers to gauge performance and make informed investment decisions.



Negative screening for ESG factors in portfolios:

  1. results in static exclusions.
  2. can exclude an entire country.
  3. is commonly applied to all asset classes.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Negative screening in ESG portfolios involves excluding certain sectors, companies, or countries based on specific ethical guidelines or ESG criteria. This approach can result in the exclusion of entire countries if they do not meet the predefined ESG standards. For example, countries with poor human rights records, high levels of corruption, or severe environmental degradation might be excluded from investment portfolios to align with investors' ESG objectives.



The EU Paris-Aligned Benchmarks and EU Climate Transition Benchmarks both:

  1. prohibit investments in fossil fuels.
  2. impose green-to-brown ratios to restrict "brown" investments.
  3. use a relative approach by comparing a company's performance to its sector average.

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Both the EU Paris-Aligned Benchmarks (EU PABs) and the EU Climate Transition Benchmarks (EU CTBs) prohibit investments in fossil fuels. These benchmarks are designed to align investment portfolios with the goals of the Paris Agreement by reducing carbon emissions intensity and excluding investments that contribute significantly to carbon emissions, such as those in the fossil fuel industry.



Formal corporate governance codes are most likely to:

  1. be found in all major world markets.
  2. call for serious consequences for non-compliant organizations.
  3. be interpreted by proxy advisory firms when corporate compliance is assessed.

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Formal corporate governance codes are now found in all major world markets. These codes establish guidelines and best practices for corporate governance, aiming to enhance transparency, accountability, and overall governance standards within companies.
While the specifics can vary by country, the presence of these codes globally reflects a widespread commitment to improving corporate governance.

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In Australia, a managing director of a company is the:

  1. executive chair.
  2. only executive director.
  3. former CEO of the company.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

In Australia, a managing director is commonly understood to be the only executive director on the board. This role entails being the key individual responsible for the overall management and operations of the company. The managing director often has a broader and more hands-on role compared to other directors, overseeing daily operations and implementing board decisions.



Which of the following is most likely a secondary source of ESG information?

  1. Annual reports
  2. ESG rating reports
  3. Corporate sustainability reports

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) information is critical for investors to evaluate the sustainability and ethical impact of their investments. Different sources of ESG information vary in their primary and secondary nature based on how they are created and disseminated. Understanding the distinctions among these sources helps investors make informed decisions.

1. Annual Reports: Annual reports are primary sources of ESG information. They are produced by the companies themselves and provide a comprehensive overview of financial performance, strategic direction, and often include sections dedicated to ESG initiatives and performance. These reports are considered primary because they originate directly from the reporting entity and provide firsthand insights into a company's operations and ESG commitments.

2. ESG Rating Reports: ESG rating reports are considered secondary sources of ESG information. These reports are produced by independent third-party agencies like MSCI, Sustainalytics, and others. ESG rating agencies analyze data from multiple sources, including company disclosures, government databases, media reports, and other specialized datasets. They assess and rate companies on their ESG performance, providing an independent evaluation that investors can use to compare companies across sectors and regions. ESG rating reports consolidate and interpret primary data to provide a synthesized and often standardized view of a company's ESG standing.

3. Corporate Sustainability Reports: Corporate sustainability reports, like annual reports, are primary sources of ESG information. These reports are specifically focused on a company's sustainability practices, environmental impact, social responsibility initiatives, and governance structures. They are published by the companies themselves and offer detailed insights into their sustainability strategies and achievements.

Detailed

Primary Source: A primary source is an original document or firsthand account that has not been interpreted by another party. In the context of ESG information, primary sources include documents produced directly by the company, such as annual reports and corporate sustainability reports. These documents provide raw data and insights directly from the source, making them essential for understanding a company's self-reported ESG performance.

Secondary Source: A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary data to provide an additional layer of insight. ESG rating reports are secondary sources because they take data from various primary sources, analyze it using specific methodologies, and present an independent assessment of a company's ESG performance. These ratings help investors by offering an objective view that can be compared across different companies and industries.

Reference from CFA ESG Investing:

ESG Ratings and Methodologies: The CFA Institute highlights the importance of ESG ratings as secondary sources of information that help investors evaluate the relative ESG performance of companies. These ratings are based on comprehensive methodologies that incorporate data from primary sources and apply consistent analytical frameworks (as detailed in the MSCI ESG Ratings Methodology Executive Summary).

Use of ESG Information: The CFA curriculum emphasizes the use of both primary and secondary sources of ESG information for thorough investment analysis. Primary sources provide direct insights from companies, while secondary sources like ESG rating reports offer independent evaluations that can enhance the investment decision-making process by providing benchmarks and comparisons.

In conclusion, ESG rating reports are most likely a secondary source of ESG information because they compile, analyze, and interpret data from various primary sources to provide an independent assessment of a company's ESG performance.



In the ESG rating process, an assessment of risk, policies, and preparedness is best categorized as part of a(n):

  1. operational assessment.
  2. fundamental assessment.
  3. disclosure-based assessment.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

In the ESG rating process, an assessment of risk, policies, and preparedness is best categorized as part of a fundamental assessment. This type of assessment evaluates how well a company is managing its material ESG risks, which includes examining the company's risk exposure, the policies it has in place to manage those risks, and its preparedness to handle potential ESG-related issues. This holistic approach provides a comprehensive view of a company's ESG performance and its ability to sustain long-term value creation.



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