Disclaimer
This disclaimer is an integral part of our service. Please read it before investing in any security on which we report. Our reports contain factual statements and opinions. Our analysts derive factual statements from sources which they believe are accurate, but neither they nor are we represent that the facts presented are accurate or complete. Opinions are those of the analysts and are subject to change without notice. Our reports are for information only and do not offer securities or solicit the offer of securities of any company. Our reports are to inform the public and not to promote any company.
We receive an set fee for one year's coverage from each of the public companies about which our analysts report. We do not inform any company in advance of the nature or conclusions of our analysts' reports in advance of paying the fee nor can a company withdraw from coverage before the expiration of the one year term. We do not receive any equity securities from any company on which our analysts report nor do we, or our management, own equity securities of the companies on which our analysts report. Our analysts are contractually prohibited from purchasing or selling the securities of any company on which they report during the term of engagement. We pay our analysts directly for writing reports; and our analysts do not receive any compensation from the companies they report or from any other source.
Our reports contain factual statements and opinions. Our analysts derive factual statements from sources which they believe are accurate, but neither they nor are we represent that the facts presented are accurate or complete. Opinions are those of the analysts. Our reports are for information only and do not offer securities or solicit the offer of securities of any company. Our reports are to inform the public and not to promote any company.
Our analysts are Chartered Financial Analysts (CFAs) or have equivalent experience. The CFA designation is the only globally recognized credential for investment analysis and advice. To be awarded the CFA charter, a candidate must:
1. sequentially pass a Level I, Level II, and Level III examinations;
The CFA exams test skills in investment decision-making and cover accounting, finance, statistics, and economics. Asset valuation, portfolio-management theory, and various quantitative skills and among the topic tested. A bachelor's degree is needed to enter the CFA program, but no specific line of study is required. However, it is nearly impossible to pass the exam without some sort of relevant training and/or experience. Nearly 40% of CFA candidates have earned an MBA or other postgraduate college degree.
2. have at least three years of acceptable professional experience working in the investment decision-making process; and
A candidate must have at least three years of professional experience in the investment decision-making process before being awarded the credential. Although a candidate may gain experience may be attained before, during, or after he or she is enrolled in the CFA testing program, most CFA candidates already work in the investment field. The AIMR evaluates acceptable experience on an individual basis after the candidate passes the Level I exam.
3. fulfill membership requirements of the Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR) and apply for membership in AIMR.
CFAs are required to sign a code of ethics and adhere to professional standards. They are also required to be members of AIMR as well as a local chapter of the Financial Analysts Federation.
AIMR
AIMR is an international, nonprofit organization of more than 50,000 investment practitioners and educators in over 100 countries.
AIMR's mission is to serve its members and investors as a global leader in educating and examining investment managers and analysts and sustaining high standards of professional conduct. AIMR's membership is global in scope, and its activities are worldwide.
The Research Foundation of the AIMR sponsors practitioner-oriented research through funding and publishing a diverse assortment of monographs, tutorials, and research papers to broaden investment professionals' knowledge and understanding of their field.
AIMR offers services in three broad categories: education through seminars and publications; professional conduct and ethics; and standards of practice and advocacy.