Discretionary Investment Management (J10) starts by looking at the investment advice process and establishing the client relationship - the aims and objectives, risk profile, investment objectives and analysing the client’s financial position.

Asset classes, investment strategies and investment wrappers are covered next, including the main asset classes – cash, bonds, equities and property, alternative investments and derivatives and investment tax wrappers. The Role of the investment manager is then considered, followed by discretionary and advisory management.

The study text moves on to look at investment funds, the economic environment, investment returns and investment risk. Portfolio theory – principles and limitations is considered, followed by measuring portfolio performance and understanding investment data. We then look at financial mathematics and sources of information – uses and limitations.

Purpose

At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of:

• the behaviour, performance, risk profile and correlation of key investment types;
• discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management;
• the principles of performance measurement, financial analysis and ratio analysis;
• the principles of performance management and portfolio theory.

Assessment

• 2 hour exam
• 90 multiple choice questions
• The nominal pass mark is 65%
• The 2022 pass rate for this unit was 89%

Study material - editions available

2023-24 edition (applicable to exams sat 01 Sep 2023 to 31 Aug 2024)