General Recommendations You often hear that an advisor makes a general recommendation to buy or sell an asset. But what exactly is an available request? It is advised to buy or sell an asset, usually a stock, but could be some other asset such as foreign exchange or gold, which is widely distributed to all of the advisor’s clients. The advice covers the advisor’s client base like a blanket. Everyone receives the same direction regardless of whether or not it is appropriate or even matches their investment objectives or risk tolerance.

When sending a blanket recommendation is most appropriate, such as a statement telling all clients that they should diversify their portfolios to include alternative investments and asset classes such as real estate or commodities. In other cases, the blanket recommendation may be grossly inappropriate, such as a recommendation to buy highly speculative and risky stocks in a new IPO.

Highpoints

  • A blanket recommendation is advice an Expert Advisor sends to all of its clients, regardless of whether that advice applies.
  • Regulators often prohibit blanket recommendations because investors have high-risk profiles and investment objectives. When issuing a blanket statement for an individual stock, the aim is to inform clients that the store is expected to make a big move in the coming days. It is inadvisable to issue a blanket recommendation, but there are instances where your general type of information can be widely helpful, such as a recommendation to diversify your portfolio.

Explanation of the General Recommendations

Most general recommendations recommend buying or selling a specific stock, sector, or asset. This type of communication can vary but is often intended to alert clients that research by the adviser or the institution’s research staff indicates that the recommended stock, sector or asset is likely to make a big move in one direction or another soon. If the general recommendation is an expectation of movement to the upside, clients may want to open a long position in the stock or other asset. However, if the anticipated movement is downward,

The main drawback of this general recommendation is that they do not consider each client’s risk profile, investment objectives, or time horizon.

Using a blanket recommendation in client communications is often inadvisable due to the different investment profiles of the adviser’s clients. For example, a client may be a retiree who needs safe, income-producing investments.

Type Of Client Cannot Afford To Take A Risk Where They Could Lose A Good Amount Of Money.

Another client could be a single young professional with a much longer time horizon and a much higher tolerance for risk.

A blanket recommendation to buy an upcoming speculative IPO is undoubtedly appropriate for the second client, who can tolerate the risks of buying shares in an IPO.

Still, it is grossly inappropriate for the first client who needs to maintain his capital and avoid losses. Potentially large. Both require to make only recommendations that are appropriate for their clients.

The specific FINRA rule dealing with suitability is FINRA Rule 2111.

This standard requires that brokers, financial advisors, and other associated persons “Have a reasonable basis to believe that a recommended investment transaction or strategy involving a security or securities is appropriate for the client. Base on information obtained through due diligence. The [company] or associated person to determine the client’s investment profile”.

In other words, investment advisers bound by FINRA rules and regulations must consider the risk profile, time horizon. And investment objectives of their clients when submitting any security recommendations.

Blanket recommendations do not consider any of these client characteristics, so FINRA prohibits blanket recommendations in the United States. Any blanket recommendation is likely to provide advice that directly conflicts with the objectives of specific clients and could be consider particularly inappropriate for them.

Special Considerations

Suppose you ever receive a general recommendation from a financial institution or advisor. No matter how well respected. In that case. You should carefully consider whether the advice given in their proposal is applicable and appropriate to your situation. Consider whether it fits your risk tolerance and is consistent with your investment objectives. Do your research on the recommendation before taking any action.

Remember that general advice is given without regard to the person’s situation or interests. There may be cases where the advice is given more prevalent. And if this is the case it might be a good idea to follow it. These general recommendations could be ways to diversify your portfolio. Or how much money you should keep in liquid cash reserves. As long as the advice is available, it is worth considering.

However, As The General Recommendation Becomes More Specific,

people will need to be more cautious and pay more attention to the details of the request. These particular recommendations may still be appropriate for your situation but may also be inappropriate. And the advice given should be avoid.

In some cases, the general recommendations are more segmented. Which will help make them more appropriate. For example. A financial advisor may send an available request about saving for retirement. And the suitable vehicles for it but may only send it to clients between the ages of 25 and 45. Or you could send a piece of general advice on social security. Or bond income to your clients near or past retirement age.

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