Business PracticesQuestion 76 of 100
A client intends to invest $48,000 in a mutual fund whose sales charge drops at a $50,000 breakpoint. The agent processes the order at $48,000 without mentioning the breakpoint. This is:
a.A breakpoint sale, a prohibited practice, because the agent failed to disclose that a slightly larger investment would reduce the sales charge
b.Acceptable because the client chose the amount
c.Acceptable because breakpoints apply only to accumulation over several years
d.Acceptable if the agent's commission was standard
Explanation
Failing to disclose an available breakpoint, or deliberately keeping an order just below one to preserve a higher sales charge, is an unethical practice. The agent must alert the client to quantity discounts, letters of intent, and rights of accumulation. The fact that the client named the dollar figure does not relieve the agent of the disclosure duty, and breakpoints apply to single purchases as well as to accumulated holdings.
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