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CFA Institute CFA-Level-II Exam - Topic 3 Question 82 Discussion

Posted by Irma on Jun 20, 2024 at 06:25 AM

Bill Henry, CFA, is the CIO of IS University Endowment Fund located in the United States. The Fund's total assets are valued at $3.5 billion. The investment policy uses a total return approach to meet the return objective that includes a spending rate of 5%. In addition, the policy constraints established make tax-exempt instruments an inappropriate investment vehicle. The Fund's current asset mix includes an 18% allocation to private equity. The private equity allocation is shown in Exhibit 1.

The private equity allocation is a mixture of funds with different vintages. For example, within the venture capital category, investments have been made in five different funds. Exhibit 2 provides detail about the Alpha Fund with a vintage year of 2006 and committed capital of SI95 million.

The Alpha Fund is considering a new investment in Targus Company. Targus is a start-up biotech company seeking $9 million of venture capital financing. Targus's founders believe that, based on the company's new drug pipeline, a company value of $300 million is reasonable in five years. Management at Alpha Fund views Targus Company as a risky investment and is using a discount rate of 40%. After a thorough analysis of Targus's future prospects, Alpha Fund's management believes that there is a possible 15% risk of failure for the company.

Which of the following is most likely a characteristic of a venture capital fund?

Suggested Answer: B

Funded status equals fair value of plan assets minus PBO (395 - 635 = -240). (Study Session 6, LOS 22.c,f)


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40 comments · newest first
FR
Franchesca 10 months ago
Leverage in venture capital? Not always a given!
FE
Felicia 11 months ago
I think increasing capital requirements make sense for growth.
TH
Thora 11 months ago
Wait, a 40% discount rate? That seems super high!
TE
Tennie 11 months ago
Totally agree, especially with that 15% failure risk!
FR
Fredric 11 months ago
Venture capital usually involves high risk, right?
KR
Krystina 11 months ago
I practiced a similar question where we had to identify characteristics of private equity funds, and I think "increasing capital requirements" might be the right choice here.
HE
Helene 12 months ago
I feel like "measurable risk" doesn't really fit with venture capital since it's usually more about uncertainty and potential high returns.
LA
Laurel 12 months ago
I think venture capital funds often deal with high-risk investments, so maybe "increasing capital requirements" could be a characteristic?
LA
Larae 12 months ago
I remember discussing venture capital characteristics in class, but I'm not entirely sure if leverage is commonly used in these funds.
KA
Katy 12 months ago
I'm feeling pretty confident about this one. The information provided on the Alpha Fund's investment in Targus aligns with the definition of venture capital funds - they invest in early-stage, high-risk companies with the potential for significant growth and returns.
TU
Tu 12 months ago
The passage also mentions that the Alpha Fund is using a 40% discount rate for the Targus investment, which indicates the high level of risk involved. I'll make sure to highlight that venture capital funds typically invest in riskier, less established companies compared to other private equity strategies.
LY
Lyla 1 year ago
Okay, I think I've got this. The passage mentions that the Alpha Fund is considering a risky investment in a start-up biotech company, Targus, which is seeking venture capital financing. This suggests that a key characteristic of venture capital funds is their focus on high-risk, high-potential investments in early-stage companies.
RA
Rasheeda 1 year ago
Hmm, I'm a bit confused about the different types of private equity investments mentioned. I'll need to carefully review the details on the Alpha Fund and Targus Company to determine the most likely characteristic of a venture capital fund.
LI
Lili 1 year ago
This question seems straightforward. I'll focus on identifying the key characteristics of venture capital funds based on the information provided in the passage.
KI
Kip 1 year ago
I'm a little confused by this question. I know there's supposed to be some time between sprints, but I'm not sure if it's a specific amount of time or if it can vary. I'll have to review my Scrum knowledge before answering.
JO
Josue 1 year ago
Okay, I think I've got a good strategy here. The key is to focus on verifying the legitimacy of the certificate and protecting the bank's interests. I'll start by contacting the relevant authorities to check if it's been reported as lost or stolen.
RO
Rodolfo 1 year ago
Wait, what was the temperature again? I'm a bit confused on the details here.
MY
My 1 year ago
Okay, let me think this through. I believe the key is to identify which of the given conditions would meet the exemption criteria in IFRS 10. I'll need to carefully read through each option.
TH
Thaddeus 1 year ago
Interesting that the Fund's policy constraints make tax-exempt instruments inappropriate. I wonder if they're trying to maximize their returns at all costs, even if it means taking on more risk.
CH
Cheryll 1 year ago
↳ replying to Thaddeus
User 1
HO
Howard 1 year ago
↳ replying to Thaddeus
User 2
JE
Jennifer 1 year ago
↳ replying to Thaddeus
User 1
NA
Nakita 1 year ago
Haha, I bet the Alpha Fund management is using that 40% discount rate to make themselves feel better about this 'risky investment'. Gotta love some good old-fashioned risk management!
EL
Elli 1 year ago
↳ replying to Nakita
Risk management is key in venture capital investments.
CY
Cyndy 1 year ago
↳ replying to Nakita
A: Definitely, it's a high-risk, high-reward game they're playing with Targus Company.
MY
My 1 year ago
↳ replying to Nakita
B: I agree, it's all about managing that risk when it comes to venture capital investments.
TA
Tarra 1 year ago
↳ replying to Nakita
A: Yeah, that 40% discount rate is no joke. They're really trying to account for that 15% risk of failure.
LO
Lourdes 1 year ago
↳ replying to Nakita
Yeah, they must really want to account for that 15% risk of failure.
DY
Dyan 1 year ago
↳ replying to Nakita
I agree, that 40% discount rate seems pretty high.
CH
Chantell 1 year ago
Increasing capital requirements? That doesn't really sound like a venture capital fund to me. I'd say the use of leverage is a more typical characteristic.
DO
Dorethea 1 year ago
↳ replying to Chantell
It's true, venture capital funds often use leverage to amplify returns.
HA
Harris 1 year ago
↳ replying to Chantell
Increasing capital requirements might not be as common in venture capital funds.
HA
Haydee 1 year ago
↳ replying to Chantell
I think measurable risk is also important when considering venture capital investments.
MA
Marguerita 1 year ago
↳ replying to Chantell
I agree, leverage is a common characteristic of venture capital funds.
JA
Janna 1 year ago
I think the most likely characteristic of a venture capital fund is measureable risk. These funds often invest in high-risk, high-potential startups, and the risk profile is a key consideration.
SO
Sol 1 year ago
↳ replying to Janna
User 2
SH
Sharen 1 year ago
↳ replying to Janna
User 1
LO
Lorriane 1 year ago
I'm not sure, but I think venture capital funds do not typically use leverage, so A) is not the correct answer.
JU
Julio 1 year ago
I agree with Donte, venture capital investments are known for their high risk.
DO
Donte 2 years ago
I think the answer is B) Measureable risk.
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