Part I: Short Answer Questions (22 pts.) 1. (3 pts.) What is the relation between investment horizon (i.e. the time you would expect to hold an investment in your portfolio) and the choice between low-expense front-loaded funds vs. high-expense no-load funds? In other words, if you have to choose between two funds, one fund with a low annual expense ratio but with a high front-end load, and another fund with a high expense ratio but no front-end load, would the time you hold on to the investment influence your decision? Explain. you wish 2. (3 pts.) Suppose you have estimated that the fifth-percentile value at risk of a portfolio is -25%. Now to estimate the threshold of the 10% worst returns possible. Will this number be more or less negative than -25%? Why? (Use a graph of the gaussian bell curve to illustrate your point). 3. (3 pts.) Is it better to be "northeast" or "northwest" in the mean-variance graph (i.e. a graph with standard deviation in the horizontal axis and expected return in the vertical axis)? Explain why?

1. (3 pts.) What is the relation between investment horizon (L.e. the time you would expect to hold an investment in your portfolio) and the choice between low-expense front-loaded funds vs. high-expense no-load funds? In other words, if you have to choose between two funds, one fund with a low annual expense ratio but with a high front-end load, and another fund with a high expense ratio but no front-end load, would the time you hold on to the investment influence your decision? Explain. 2. (3 pts.) Suppose you have estimated that the fifth-percentile value at risk of a portfolio is 25%. Now you wish to estimate the threshold of the 10% worst returns possible. Will this number be more or less negative than 25% ? Why? (Use a graph of the gaussian bell curve to illustrate your point). 3. (3 pts.) Is it better to be "northeast" or "northwest" in the mean-variance graph (i.e. a graph with standard deviation in the horizontal axis and expected return in the vertical axis)? Explain why