Growth Stock

B is correct. The technology company with 25% earnings growth, high P/E ratio (40), and no dividend is a classic growth stock, perfectly aligned with Marcus's Growth objective. Growth stocks reinvest earnings for expansion rather than paying dividends, focusing on capital appreciation. Marcus's long time horizon, stable income, and stated Growth objective make growth stocks highly suitable—he doesn't need current income and can benefit from long-term appreciation potential.

A is incorrect because the utility company is a classic income-producing investment with high dividends and low P/E, suitable for Income objectives, not Growth. C is incorrect because REITs are income-focused investments distributing most income as dividends, suitable for Income or Growth and Income objectives. D is incorrect because preferred stock is a fixed-income security designed for current income, not capital appreciation. All three wrong answers would be suitable for clients with Income or Growth and Income objectives, but Marcus specifically has a Growth objective requiring equity securities focused on appreciation.

B is correct. Growth stocks are characterized by: (1) High P/E ratios reflecting investor expectations of future earnings growth; (2) Low or no dividend payments because companies reinvest earnings for expansion; and (3) Above-average earnings growth rates compared to the overall market. These characteristics distinguish growth stocks from value stocks and income-producing securities.

A describes value stocks, which have low P/E ratios (undervalued by the market) and often pay higher dividends with stable earnings. C describes balanced or dividend growth stocks, not pure growth stocks. D describes speculative or distressed securities, not growth stocks—growth stocks are established companies with strong earnings growth potential, not companies at risk of bankruptcy. Growth stocks can be volatile but are fundamentally different from speculative investments.

A is correct. This biotech company is a classic growth stock (high earnings growth, high P/E, no dividend, high volatility) and is suitable ONLY for Client A with a Growth objective. Growth stocks provide capital appreciation potential aligned with Growth objectives, and the volatility is acceptable for clients seeking appreciation rather than stability or income.

Client B (Income objective) requires current cash flow from dividends and interest—a stock paying no dividend provides no income and is fundamentally unsuitable for an Income objective, regardless of its growth potential. Client C (Capital Preservation objective) requires safety of principal with minimal risk—high volatility and a P/E of 50 indicate significant price risk, making this stock unsuitable for preserving capital. Suitability requires matching securities to stated objectives; a growth stock is only suitable for Growth (and sometimes Speculation) objectives, never for Income or Capital Preservation.

C is correct (the EXCEPT answer). Growth stocks are NOT suitable for clients with Income objectives because they pay minimal or no dividends, providing no current cash flow. Income objectives require dividend-paying stocks, bonds, preferred stock, or other income-producing securities. Recommending growth stocks to an Income client is a fundamental suitability violation, even if the growth stocks are high quality.

A is accurate: growth stocks have high P/E ratios because investors are willing to pay more for each dollar of current earnings, expecting significant future earnings growth. B is accurate: growth companies reinvest profits into research, development, expansion, and acquisitions rather than distributing earnings as dividends. D is accurate: the fundamental strategy of growth investing is capital appreciation through price increases, not income generation—this is why growth stocks align with Growth objectives, not Income objectives.

C is correct (II, III, and IV). Statement II is TRUE: Growth companies reinvest earnings into business expansion (R&D, acquisitions, new markets) rather than paying dividends, which is why growth stocks have low or zero dividend yields. Statement III is TRUE: Growth stocks are specifically suitable for clients with Growth investment objectives because they provide capital appreciation potential through price increases, aligning with the objective's focus on wealth accumulation rather than current income. Statement IV is TRUE: Growth stocks typically have high P/E ratios (premium valuations) because investors are willing to pay more for each dollar of current earnings, expecting future earnings to grow significantly.

Statement I is FALSE: Growth stocks have LOW dividend yields (not high) and HIGH P/E ratios (not low). High dividends and low P/E ratios describe value stocks or income stocks, which are the opposite of growth stocks. This is a critical distinction—confusing these characteristics is a common error that leads to suitability violations.