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Trading & Settlement: 198 free SIE practice questions

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  1. Which organization serves as the primary clearinghouse for securities transactions in the United States?medium
  2. When a broker-dealer executes a trade on behalf of a customer and charges a commission, it is acting in what capacity?easy
  3. The standard settlement cycle for most U.S. equity trades is:hard
  4. Which order type instructs a broker to buy or sell a security immediately at the best available current price?easy
  5. What triggers the activation of a stop order?medium
  6. When does a stop-limit order become a live limit order?medium
  7. A customer wants an order to remain active until either it is filled or they decide to cancel it. Which order instruction should they use?medium
  8. What is a potential risk of using a stop-limit order to sell?hard
  9. A customer wants to sell a stock only if it drops to $50 or lower. Which order type should be used?easy
  10. A customer opens a margin account and buys $20,000 of stock. According to Federal Reserve Regulation T, what is the minimum initial margin…medium
  11. Which order guarantees execution but not price?medium
  12. If the value of securities in a margin account falls below maintenance margin requirements, what can the broker-dealer do?medium
  13. Which order type combines a stop order with a limit order, so the order enters the book as a limit order once triggered?medium
  14. A customer places an order to buy 100 shares of XYZ at the current market price. What type of order is this?easy
  15. Under Regulation T, what is the initial margin requirement for most stocks?easy
  16. A client wants to sell shares only if the price falls to $40 or lower. What order should they place?easy
  17. If the equity in a margin account falls below the maintenance requirement, what will the broker-dealer issue?medium
  18. A client wants to buy stock, but only if the price does not exceed $25. What order should they use?medium
  19. Under FINRA rules, what must a broker-dealer do to meet the best execution obligation?medium
  20. What happens when a stop-limit order is triggered?medium
  21. A fill-or-kill (FOK) order instructs a broker to:medium
  22. When determining best execution, a broker-dealer considers:hard
  23. Which order type guarantees execution but not price?easy
  24. Regulation T requires customers to deposit what percentage of the purchase price when buying securities on margin?easy
  25. Which order becomes a market order once a specified price is reached?medium
  26. If the equity in a customer’s margin account falls below FINRA’s maintenance requirement, what action must the firm take?medium
  27. A limit order to buy at $30 is placed when a stock is trading at $32. What happens to the order if the stock trades down to $30?medium
  28. A broker-dealer must execute customer trades so as to obtain the most favorable terms possible. This is known as:medium
  29. A customer wants to sell a stock only if it drops to a certain price. Which order type should be used?easy
  30. Under Regulation T, what is the initial margin requirement for purchasing securities?easy
  31. A stop-limit order to sell is triggered at $30 but specifies a limit of $28. What happens if the stock falls rapidly from $33 to $27?medium
  32. A margin account falls below the maintenance margin requirement. What action must the customer take?medium
  33. A client places a limit order to buy stock at $20. The stock’s current price is $23. What must happen for the order to execute?medium
  34. A client wants to set a maximum purchase price and ensure execution only at or below that price. Which order should be placed?hard
  35. An investor wants to buy 100 shares of a stock immediately at the current best available price. Which order type should they submit?easy
  36. According to Regulation T, what is the minimum initial margin requirement for purchasing stock on margin?easy
  37. Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) securities are:medium
  38. A customer places a market order to buy 100 shares of XYZ stock. Which of the following best describes what will happen?easy
  39. An investor places a limit order to buy 200 shares of ABC at $50. The current market price is $52. When will this order be executed?easy
  40. An investor owns 500 shares of DEF stock currently trading at $80. She places a sell stop order at $70. Which statement is TRUE?medium
  41. A customer places a sell stop-limit order at 45 stop, 44 limit on a stock currently trading at $50. The stock drops rapidly from $46 to $42…hard
  42. A Good-Til-Canceled (GTC) order differs from a day order in that a GTC order:easy
  43. When a broker-dealer executes a trade from its own inventory for a customer, the firm is acting in what capacity?medium
  44. An investor sells short 100 shares of XYZ at $60 per share. If the stock drops to $40, what is the investor's profit before commissions?medium
  45. Which of the following is the maximum potential loss for an investor who sells short 200 shares of a stock at $75 per share?hard
  46. A short seller who sold stock at $50 places a buy stop order at $55. What is the purpose of this order?hard
  47. Which type of order guarantees execution but does NOT guarantee price?medium
  48. An investor places a sell limit order at $65 for a stock currently trading at $60. Under what condition will this order execute?medium
  49. When a broker-dealer acts as an agent in a transaction, the firm charges the customer a:easy
  50. A customer places an all-or-none (AON) order to buy 5,000 shares of a thinly traded stock at $12 limit. Only 3,000 shares are available at…hard
  51. An investor purchases 100 shares of stock at $40 per share and pays a $50 commission. What is the investor's cost basis per share?medium
  52. An investor buys a stock at $50, receives $3 in dividends over the year, and sells it at $58. What is the total return?medium
  53. To qualify for the lower long-term capital gains tax rate, an investor must hold an asset for more than:easy
  54. Qualified dividends receive preferential tax treatment compared to ordinary dividends. To be classified as qualified, dividends must meet…medium
  55. Under current SEC rules, the standard settlement cycle for most securities transactions is:easy
  56. Book-entry securities are held in:easy
  57. If an investor buys stock on Monday, under T+1 settlement, by when must the investor deliver payment?medium
  58. The Depository Trust Company (DTC) performs which of the following functions?medium
  59. A seller fails to deliver securities by the settlement date. This is known as a:hard
  60. For tax purposes, when is a securities transaction generally considered to have occurred?easy
  61. U.S. Treasury bills typically settle on what basis?medium
  62. A trade executed with 'cash settlement' terms requires delivery and payment by:hard
  63. Under Regulation T, the initial margin requirement for purchasing equity securities is:medium
  64. FINRA's minimum maintenance margin requirement for long equity positions is:medium
  65. An investor purchases $20,000 worth of stock in a margin account, depositing the required Reg T margin of $10,000. If the stock declines to…hard
  66. Under FINRA rules, a pattern day trader is defined as a customer who executes how many day trades within five business days?hard
  67. A customer in a cash account buys shares and sells them at a profit before paying for the original purchase. This practice is known as:hard
  68. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) applies to which of the following?hard
  69. Which of the following would be considered material, non-public information (MNPI)?medium
  70. Under SEC Regulation SHO, before selling a stock short, a broker-dealer must:hard
  71. After executing a trade for a customer, a broker-dealer must send a trade confirmation by:easy
  72. Under FINRA's best execution rule, a broker-dealer is required to:medium
  73. An investor borrows $50,000 on margin to purchase securities. Which of the following is TRUE about the interest charged?medium
  74. A client instructs her registered representative to buy 100 shares of XYZ at the best available price as soon as possible. Which order type…easy
  75. A customer wants to sell shares of ABC only if the price falls to $45 or lower. Which type of order should they place?easy
  76. Which entity is responsible for ensuring best execution of customer orders?easy
  77. Under Regulation T, what is the initial margin requirement for purchasing stock on margin?easy
  78. A buy limit order is placed at $30. Where must the stock trade for the order to execute?easy
  79. A customer places a stop-limit order to sell 100 shares of DEF at $40 with a stop price of $42. If DEF falls from $44 to $41 and then…medium
  80. A broker-dealer receives a customer market order to buy 50 shares of a thinly traded stock. What must the broker-dealer consider to ensure…medium
  81. Which of the following is true about sell stop orders?medium
  82. Which order type should an investor use to protect a short stock position from a rising market?medium
  83. If a customer's margin account falls below the maintenance margin level, what action is the broker-dealer required to take?medium
  84. A broker accepts a buy order and then trades the same security for their own account before executing the customer’s order. What prohibited…medium
  85. An investor wants to buy a stock if its price falls to $50. Which order should they place?medium
  86. Which of the following would be considered a wash sale?medium
  87. A customer places a sell limit order at $60. The stock is currently trading at $55. When will the order be executed?medium
  88. A customer places a market order to buy 500 shares of a very thinly traded stock after hours. What is the greatest risk to the customer?hard
  89. A registered representative places unauthorized trades in a customer’s account that result in losses. What rule has been violated?hard
  90. If a stop order to sell is triggered in a rapidly falling market, what execution risk does the investor face?hard
  91. A customer purchases $30,000 of stock in a margin account. What is the minimum deposit required under Regulation T?hard
  92. A broker-dealer attempts to inflate a security’s end-of-day price by placing trades minutes before the market closes. What is this called?hard
  93. A firm receives a customer limit order to buy at $25 when the market is at $24.98. If the firm executes the trade for its own account at…hard
  94. A customer wants to buy 100 shares of XYZ stock as soon as possible at the current market price. Which type of order should be entered?easy
  95. A customer places a sell limit order for 100 shares of ABC at $25. Which of the following accurately describes how this order will be…easy
  96. What happens if a stop order is triggered?easy
  97. Which order type would you use to protect an unrealized gain on a stock you own if the price drops below a certain point?easy
  98. According to Regulation T, what is the initial margin requirement for most stocks?easy
  99. Which of the following order types guarantees execution but not price?easy
  100. A buy stop order is typically used to:easy
  101. When would a sell stop-limit order be activated?easy
  102. Which type of order would an investor use to buy a security ONLY if it falls to a specific price or lower?easy
  103. A client wants to ensure a stock is sold if it drops to $30, but only if it can be sold at $29 or higher. Which order should they place?medium
  104. A broker-dealer is required to seek 'best execution' for its clients. Which of the following best describes this obligation?medium
  105. A buy limit order is placed at $20 for XYZ stock, currently trading at $22. What will happen?medium
  106. A client's margin account falls below the maintenance requirement. What will the broker-dealer require?medium
  107. Which of the following orders does NOT guarantee execution?medium
  108. Which of the following orders is most likely to result in a stock being sold during a severe price gap downward?medium
  109. A customer wishes to buy shares only if a stock breaks above resistance at $50, but does not want to pay more than $52. Which order should…hard
  110. A broker excessively buys and sells in a client’s account solely to generate commissions. This is known as:hard
  111. An investor enters a buy stop order at $40 on a stock currently trading at $35. What happens if the stock rises sharply to $45 in one trade?hard
  112. An investor wants to buy shares at the current market price as quickly as possible. Which type of order should the investor place?easy
  113. Which type of order instructs a broker to buy a security only if it can be purchased at a specified price or lower?easy
  114. A client places a stop order to sell shares at $50. What happens if the stock trades at $50?easy
  115. Who is responsible for ensuring best execution of a customer’s order?easy
  116. A client enters a GTC (good-till-canceled) order. What does this mean?easy
  117. Which order would guarantee execution but not price?easy
  118. Which of the following describes a sell stop order?easy
  119. What is the main purpose of a stop-limit order?easy
  120. A customer wants to ensure a stock is not sold below a certain price. Which order type is most appropriate?easy
  121. If an investor wants to set a minimum price that they will accept for selling shares, which order should they use?easy
  122. A firm that acts as a dealer in a transaction is acting as:easy
  123. An investor wants to purchase a stock if it rises to $45 or higher. Which order type should be used?easy
  124. Which of the following best describes a broker’s role when acting as an agent in a securities transaction?easy
  125. A customer places a buy limit order for 100 shares at $20. The stock trades at $20.05 and $19.95. What happens to the order?medium
  126. A customer enters a stop-limit order to sell 200 shares with a stop price of $42 and a limit of $41. The stock falls to $42, then…medium
  127. Which of the following is required by Regulation NMS (National Market System) when executing orders for listed equities?medium
  128. A customer places an all-or-none buy order for 500 shares at $30. The market has 200 shares available at $30 and 300 at $30.05. What occurs?medium
  129. A broker-dealer receives a client’s limit order. What must the broker-dealer do to ensure compliance with SEC and FINRA regulations?medium
  130. An investor wants to buy shares but only if the price falls to $25 or below. Which order type should be used?medium
  131. Which order executes only if the stock can be bought at or below a certain price?medium
  132. A client places a market order to buy 1,000 shares. During execution, prices rise rapidly. What is the risk?medium
  133. A client wants to sell if the price drops to $30, but does not want to sell for less than $29. Which order type should be used?medium
  134. A broker receives a buy order from a client and buys the same security for their own account just before executing the client's order. What…medium
  135. Which statement about stop orders is correct?medium
  136. A stop order to sell is usually placed at a price:medium
  137. What happens when a buy stop order is triggered?medium
  138. Which term describes a broker-dealer executing an order internally rather than routing to an exchange for execution?medium
  139. A client wants to buy only if a stock price rises above current levels, indicating a breakout. Which order is best?medium
  140. A firm receives a client’s limit order at $52 and immediately buys 500 shares for its own account at $52 without executing the client’s…medium
  141. Under Regulation T, what is the initial margin requirement for purchasing stock in a margin account?medium
  142. Which of the following best defines 'best execution' under FINRA rules?medium
  143. A flat yield curve often indicates:medium
  144. An investor places a not-held order. What discretion does the broker have?medium
  145. A customer enters a buy stop-limit order with a stop price of $30 and a limit of $30.10. The market moves from $29.90 to $30.15 in one…hard
  146. A client places a fill-or-kill order to buy 1,000 shares at $10. Only 900 shares are available at that price. What occurs?hard
  147. A broker-dealer internalizes a customer market order but fails to match the best price available on another market. What rule is violated?hard
  148. A client wants an order to sell 2,000 shares if the stock falls to $40, but only if the shares can be sold at $39.90 or better. The order…hard
  149. A margin account falls below the maintenance margin. Which of the following is the broker-dealer’s obligation?hard
  150. A broker executes a client’s order at a disadvantaged price while a better price was available on another market. This is a violation of…hard
  151. A customer’s limit order improves the market but is not displayed by the broker-dealer. What regulation is most likely violated?hard
  152. Which order type can be both triggered and then not executed if the market moves past the limit price without trading within the limit…hard
  153. A not-held order gives the broker discretion regarding:hard
  154. A broker 'interpositions' another firm between itself and the market to handle a client order. What is the regulatory issue?hard
  155. An investor wants a purchase order to cancel if not executed immediately at the desired price. Which type should they use?hard
  156. A customer places a market order to buy 200 shares of XYZ stock. Which of the following best describes what will happen to this order?easy
  157. A client owns shares of ABC Corp currently trading at $50. To help limit potential losses, the client gives their registered representative…medium
  158. A 401(k) is best described as:easy
  159. Which account can be used to enter both market and limit orders?medium
  160. What must a registered representative do before recommending an options strategy?medium
  161. FINRA requires broker-dealers to determine beneficial ownership of accounts for which reason?medium
  162. Who is considered the beneficial owner in a trust account?medium
  163. Settlement in a cash account requires:hard
  164. A registered representative shares profits with a customer in a joint account without firm approval. What rule is violated?hard
  165. Under Regulation T, what is the initial margin requirement for most stock purchases?easy
  166. In a margin account, what is the minimum maintenance margin requirement for equity securities according to FINRA?medium
  167. Which federal regulation sets the initial margin requirement for purchasing securities on margin?easy
  168. A customer in a cash account places a market order to buy shares. What does a market order guarantee?easy
  169. In a margin account, what happens if equity falls below the maintenance requirement?medium
  170. A customer wants to sell shares short. Which account type is REQUIRED?medium
  171. A customer in a cash account is worried about a price drop. Which order type will GUARANTEE a sell order if the stock falls to a specific…medium
  172. Regulation T primarily regulates:easy
  173. If the equity in a margin account falls below the maintenance requirement, the broker-dealer must:medium
  174. A customer places a 'stop-limit' order. If the stop price is triggered, the order becomes:medium
  175. Which economic indicator is considered a lagging indicator?medium
  176. Which is an example of manipulation known as 'pump and dump'?medium
  177. Which of the following client instructions must never be followed by a registered representative?medium
  178. A stop order is typically used to:medium
  179. Which is TRUE regarding Treasury bills (T-bills)?medium
  180. Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which event must be promptly reported to the SEC?hard
  181. Which practice is specifically prohibited to prevent market manipulation in options trading?hard
  182. A registered representative places customer orders after executing their own trades at better prices. This is prohibited under:hard
  183. A broker-dealer intentionally delays executing a customer’s order to benefit its own trading. This practice is known as:easy
  184. A registered rep guarantees a client that the yield curve will predict a stock’s price every time. This statement is:easy
  185. A customer fails to pay for a stock purchase in a cash account within the required period. Under Regulation T, the broker-dealer must:medium
  186. A registered rep places a client’s stop order in a way that intentionally triggers the stop and benefits the rep’s principal trading. This…medium
  187. A margin account drops below maintenance requirement and the client does not meet the margin call. The broker-dealer:medium
  188. An agent enters a client’s stop order at a price specifically chosen to be easily triggered for personal benefit. This constitutes:hard
  189. A registered rep recommends mutual fund switches just to increase commissions, rather than for the customer’s benefit. This practice is:easy
  190. A trader places a series of buy limit orders just below a stock's current price to create the illusion of market support, then cancels them…medium
  191. A customer’s margin equity falls below the required maintenance level. If the firm allows continued trading without a margin call, it is…medium
  192. A client wishes to avoid the risk of rapid price swings. Which order type helps prevent unintended purchases due to sudden price moves, but…medium
  193. A trading firm routinely allows customers to exceed margin limits established in Regulation T for initial purchases and does not issue…hard
  194. A firm intentionally releases misleading economic research to attract investment into specific securities. What could be the result?hard
  195. A trader places successive small orders to gradually move a stock price up, then sells a large position at the new price. This pattern is…hard
  196. A trader repeatedly places large orders to buy a stock, then cancels them before execution to create the illusion of demand. This practice…hard
  197. What is the general rule regarding principal approval of correspondence?medium
  198. Which system requires reporting of short sale transactions in equity securities?medium
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