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Free CFA® Sustainable-Investing Exam Questions (page: 19)

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PDF with 802 Questions

Mass migration from developing countries to developed countries are most likely caused by:

  1. desertification only.
  2. scarcity of fresh water only.
  3. both desertification and scarcity of fresh water.

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Mass migration from developing countries to developed countries is most likely caused by both desertification and scarcity of fresh water. These environmental factors severely impact livelihoods and living conditions, pushing people to migrate in search of better opportunities and stability. Climate change exacerbates these issues, leading to increased migration flows.



Under the UK listing regime, Class 1 transactions:

  1. must be approved via shareholder vote.
  2. can be completed at management's discretion.
  3. require additional disclosures to shareholders but no approval via shareholder vote.

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Under the UK listing regime, Class 1 transactions must be approved via a shareholder vote. These transactions significantly affect a company's assets, profits, or capital, exceeding a 25% threshold, and therefore require detailed justifications and approval from shareholders to ensure transparency and protect shareholder interests.



Information for use in ESG tools can be collected directly via:

  1. news articles.
  2. third-party reports.
  3. company communications.

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Information for use in ESG tools can be collected directly via company communications. This includes sustainability reports, financial disclosures, press releases, and other direct communications from the company. Such sources provide primary data that are essential for accurate ESG analysis and assessment.



Corporate disclosures in line with the recommendations of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are a regulatory requirement for companies in:

  1. the EU only
  2. the UK only
  3. both the EU and the UK

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is a European Union (EU) directive that mandates enhanced and standardized sustainability reporting for companies. It aims to improve the quality and consistency of sustainability information disclosed by companies, which is essential for investors and other stakeholders to make informed decisions.

1. EU Regulatory Requirement: The CSRD is a regulatory requirement specifically for companies within the EU. It expands upon the previous Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) by requiring more detailed and comprehensive disclosures on sustainability matters, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.

2. Scope and Applicability: The CSRD applies to a wide range of companies within the EU, including large companies, listed companies, and certain small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It does not extend to the UK, which has its own regulatory framework for corporate sustainability reporting following Brexit.

Reference from CFA ESG Investing:

CSRD Overview: The CFA Institute outlines the scope and requirements of the CSRD, emphasizing its role in enhancing corporate sustainability disclosures within the EU.

EU vs. UK Regulations: The distinction between EU and UK regulations is crucial, as post-Brexit, the

UK follows different guidelines for corporate sustainability reporting.

In conclusion, corporate disclosures in line with the recommendations of the CSRD are a regulatory requirement for companies in the EU only, making option A the verified answer.



Suppose the average price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio for the financial industry is 10x. A financial institution with high ESG risk compared to its industry, is most likely assigned a fair value P/E ratio:

  1. lower than 10x
  2. of 10x
  3. higher than 10x

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio and ESG Risk:

The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is a valuation metric used to assess the relative value of a company's shares. A company with higher ESG risks is generally perceived as having higher operational and financial risks, which can negatively impact its valuation.

1. High ESG Risk Impact: A financial institution with high ESG risk compared to its industry peers is likely to be perceived as riskier. Investors may demand a higher risk premium for holding such a company's shares, which can result in a lower valuation multiple.

2. Fair Value P/E Ratio: Given the average P/E ratio for the financial industry is 10x, a financial institution with higher ESG risks is most likely to be assigned a fair value P/E ratio lower than the industry average. This reflects the increased perceived risk and potential for future financial underperformance due to ESG-related issues.

Reference from CFA ESG Investing:

ESG Risk and Valuation: The CFA Institute discusses how ESG risks can impact a company's valuation by influencing investor perceptions and risk assessments. Companies with higher ESG risks may trade at lower multiples due to the associated uncertainties and potential for adverse impacts on financial performance.

P/E Ratios and ESG Integration: Understanding the relationship between ESG risks and valuation multiples is essential for integrating ESG factors into investment analysis and valuation models.

In conclusion, a financial institution with high ESG risk compared to its industry is most likely assigned a fair value P/E ratio lower than 10x, making option A the verified answer.



Among asset owners, which of the following is most likely a challenge to ESG integration?

  1. Consultants and retail financial advisors offer too many options for ESG products
  2. Even large asset owners have limited resources to conduct their own ESG assessment
  3. The scale of investments is not enough to influence the products offered by fund managers

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

ESG integration presents several challenges for asset owners, including the availability of resources and expertise required to conduct comprehensive ESG assessments.

1. Limited Resources: Even large asset owners often face constraints in terms of resources and capacity to conduct their own ESG assessments. This limitation can hinder their ability to thoroughly evaluate ESG factors and integrate them into their investment decision-making processes.

2. ESG Product Options and Scale of Investments:

Consultants and Advisors (Option A): While having multiple ESG product options can be overwhelming, it is generally not considered a major challenge compared to the fundamental issue of limited resources.

Scale of Investments (Option C): The scale of investments influencing product offerings is more relevant to small asset owners. Large asset owners typically have significant influence over fund managers and product offerings.

Reference from CFA ESG Investing:

Resource Constraints: The CFA Institute highlights the challenge of resource limitations for asset owners, emphasizing the need for specialized knowledge and tools to conduct effective ESG assessments.

ESG Integration Challenges: Understanding the specific challenges faced by asset owners, including resource constraints, is crucial for developing effective ESG integration strategies.

In conclusion, even large asset owners have limited resources to conduct their own ESG assessment, making option B the verified answer.



With respect to ESG integration in private equity, which of the following is most likely a challenge an investor may face?

  1. Lack of strategy and long-term orientation from private equity managers
  2. Lack of capacity within the investee company to fulfill ESG reporting requirements
  3. Reporting frameworks that do not account for the relative lack of transparency found in private markets relative to public markets

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Integrating ESG factors into private equity investments can be challenging due to various factors, including the capabilities and resources of the investee companies.

1. Capacity for ESG Reporting: Private equity investee companies often lack the capacity to fulfill ESG reporting requirements. These companies may not have the necessary resources, expertise, or infrastructure to collect, analyze, and report on ESG metrics, making it difficult for private equity investors to obtain reliable ESG data.

2. Long-Term Orientation and Transparency:

Strategy and Long-Term Orientation (Option A): Private equity managers typically focus on long-term value creation, which aligns with the objectives of ESG integration. Therefore, the lack of long-term orientation is less likely to be a significant challenge.

Reporting Frameworks (Option C): While reporting frameworks may pose challenges, the primary issue is often the lack of capacity within investee companies to meet these requirements.

Reference from CFA ESG Investing:

ESG Reporting Capacity: The CFA Institute discusses the challenges related to the capacity of private equity investee companies to fulfill ESG reporting requirements. This includes the lack of dedicated resources and expertise necessary to implement robust ESG reporting systems.

Private Equity ESG Integration: Understanding the specific challenges faced in private equity ESG integration helps investors develop strategies to address these issues, such as providing support and resources to investee companies.

In conclusion, the lack of capacity within the investee company to fulfill ESG reporting requirements is most likely a challenge an investor may face in ESG integration in private equity, making option B the verified answer.



Which of the following is most likely to cast doubt on a director's independence?

  1. Holding cross-directorships
  2. Receipt of director's fees from the company
  3. Serving as a director for a relatively short period of time

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Holding cross-directorships can cast doubt on a director's independence because it creates potential conflicts of interest.
When a director serves on multiple boards, especially if those companies have business relationships or overlapping interests, it may compromise their ability to act independently and objectively. This issue is recognized in various corporate governance codes and guidelines, which highlight the importance of directors being free from relationships that could interfere with their judgment.



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