| Portfolio Management | ||
|---|---|---|
| Topic Weight | Number of Questions | |
| Level 1 | 8-12% | 15-21 |
| Level 2 | 10-15% | c.a 12 |
You should build a strong foundation in this topic, which will pay dividends as you progress through the material.
The Importance of Portfolio Management in the CFA Program
The fundamentals of the Portfolio Management process can be divided into 3 main steps: planning, execution, and feedback. In the planning phase, the manager acquires a deep understanding of the client's needs, whether an individual or an institutional investor. Subsequently, the manager compiles crucial information in the Investment Policy Statement, creating a documented plan that reflects the client’s return objectives, risk tolerance, and investing constraints.
Once the plan is established, the manager determines the appropriate asset allocation: how much of the client's portfolio should be allocated to each broad asset class, such as equity and fixed income, in alignment with the client's risk tolerance and desired return profile. The curriculum encompasses essential topics such as risk management, behavioral biases, and performance measurement. More recently, the curriculum has expanded to include fintech subjects including machine learning, big data, and distributed ledger technology.
Portfolio Management: What to Expect in the CFA Level 1 Exam
The Portfolio Management (PM) topic holds a relatively lower weight on the Level 1 CFA exam, along with Derivatives and Alternative Investments. It’s crucial for you to recognize that PM is not any less significant than heavily weighted subjects such as Financial Statement Analysis (FSA). Instead, PM is a more intricate subject that builds upon fundamental concepts introduced earlier in the CFA Program.
As you progress through the CFA Program, the importance of PM grows, becoming over half of the Level 3 exam. Therefore, you should regard the lower-weighted content on Level 1 as a primer for this essential CFA exam topic. Establishing a strong foundation in PM is pivotal for achieving success and obtaining a CFA charter.
Exam Weighting
The topic weighs 8-12% of the L1 total exam content, so approximately 15-21 of the 180 questions focus on this topic.
| No. of Learning Modules | No. of Formulas |
|---|---|
| 6 | ca. 50 |
Syllabus, Readings, and Changes
The 2026 PM syllabus spans 6 learning modules and contains 40 learning outcome statements (LOS), with its main focus on portfolio planning and management.
Overview
Diversification of investments within a portfolio enables risk reduction while maintaining reward potential. An essential initial step in the portfolio management process involves creating a tailored Investment Policy Statement (IPS) that aligns with the client’s specific requirements. This process is followed by asset allocation, security analysis, portfolio construction, ongoing monitoring, rebalancing, performance evaluation, and reporting.
The reading introduces portfolio management and the asset management industry. You will become familiar with the portfolio management process and the financial needs of various investors. The material also covers mutual funds and other pooled investment instruments.
Portfolio Risk and Return: Part I
The most critical factors in portfolio development are the risk and return of individual assets, and the most efficient portfolios optimize that trade-off for the investor.
The reading examines the characteristics of assets as they relate to risks and returns. You will study risk aversion, the computation of portfolio risk, and the theory behind the choices of optimal risky portfolios.
Portfolio Risk and Return: Part II
The reading dives deeper into the nuances of portfolio risk and return by examining the computation of risk, systematic and unsystematic risk, the capital asset pricing model (CAPM), and the role of correlation in diversifying risk. You will study various risk-related models and how risk influences portfolio valuation.
Basics of Portfolio Planning and Construction
A common theme reiterated throughout the CFA Level 1 PM topic is understanding a client’s situation and goals. While financial professionals categorize investors into broad groups, variations remain within these groups.
The reading examines the portfolio construction process with particular attention to client-centered planning. You will learn more about the investment policy statement and the portfolio construction process.
Behavioral Biases of Individuals
Human irrationality befuddles even the most realistic models. People often rely on their biases when making judgments and decisions. Behavioral finance challenges the assumptions of traditional economic and financial theories by accounting for this irrationality.
The reading examines the possible consequences of cognitive errors and emotional biases and how to mitigate their negative effects. You will also study how the aggregate expression of individual biases manifests as market anomalies.
Introduction to Risk Management
Investment decisions are always made within an environment of uncertainty. Risk management is a skill that allows investors to navigate this environment. To do this, investment advisers and managers must be able to identify appropriate risk measures and keep risks aligned with investment goals.
The reading offers a broad enterprise and portfolio risk management process overview. You will learn about risk governance, tolerance, and measuring and managing risk.
Portfolio Management: Overview
This topic centers on comprehending the portfolio investment approach and detailing the steps involved in portfolio management. It also examines diverse investor profiles, emphasizing their unique traits and requirements. The discourse extends to clarifying defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans, delving into facets of the asset management sector. Additionally, it encompasses an overview of mutual funds, accompanied by a comparative analysis of other pooled investment options.
Level 1 Portfolio Management Sample Questions and Answers
These sample questions are typical of the probing multiple-choice questions on the L1 exam. During the exam, you have about 90 seconds to read and answer each question, carefully designed to test knowledge from the CFA curriculum. UWorld’s question bank is built to expose you to exam-like questions and illustrate and explain the concepts tested thoroughly.
In relation to other portfolios, unattainable portfolios are located:
- below the capital market line
- on the capital market line
- above the capital market line
Which of the following performance measures most likely ignores nonsystematic risk?
- M-squared
- Sharpe ratio
- Jensen’s alpha
Companies that raise capital through an initial coin offering (ICO) most likely benefit from:
- less dilution of ownership than through an initial public offering
- more regulation of cryptocurrencies than of traditional currencies
- central authority confirmation of future transactions involving tokens from the ICO
Portfolio Management: What to Expect in the CFA Level 2 Exam
The Level 2 Portfolio Management syllabus discusses the creation, trading, costs, and risks of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and how to use them strategically. You explore the connections between financial markets and the real economy and are introduced to the Fundamental Law of Active Management. The material wraps up with case studies of portfolio management, which demonstrate how securities trading relates to the investment process.
Exam Weighting
The CFA PM topic weighs 10-15% of the total exam content, so approximately 8-12 of the 88 CFA Level 2 exam questions or 2-3 of the 22-item sets focus on this topic.
| No. of Learning Modules | No. of Formulas |
|---|---|
| 6 | ca. 70 |
Syllabus, Readings, and Changes
The CFA Level 2 Portfolio Management (PM) syllabus encompasses 6 learning modules and 52 learning outcome statements. The Level 2 exam focuses on Exchange Trades, Market Risks, Investments, and Portfolio Management.
Exchange-traded Funds: Mechanics and Applications
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) were developed as an alternative to mutual funds based on the Modern Portfolio Theory discussed in the CFA curriculum. They have grown in popularity due to access, relatively low cost, transparency, and the diversity of available assets. ETFs are also typically more tax-efficient than mutual funds, making them more helpful in diversifying positions and portfolios.
The reading introduces the primary and secondary markets for ETFs and how ETFs are used effectively for portfolio development. You will also examine the risks and costs of ETFs and other important considerations for investors.
Using Multifactor Models
Multifactor models allow financial analysts to construct a more precise and nuanced view of risk than possible with a single-factor approach. This has made multifactor models a dominant investment practice for measuring and navigating risk.
The reading provides a background on the modern portfolio theory of multifactor models.You will be introduced to arbitrage pricing theory, various multifactor models, and their applications.
Measuring and Managing Market Risk
Market risk may mean fluctuations in stock prices, interest rates, exchange rates, or commodity prices. Risk management allows financial analysts to align risks with investment goals by classifying and measuring such risks. This is done through financial models, experience, and good judgment.
The reading provides a foundation for understanding and assessing Value at Risk (VaR). You will learn about the constraints in risk management and sensitivity measures used for equities, fixed-income securities, and options.
Backtesting and Simulation
Backtesting is the practice of simulating the performance of an investment strategy without risking capital. This allows financial analysts to test hypotheses using historical data to simulate results they can analyze for return. Backtesting and simulation have become increasingly popular in quantitative investing due to the rise in big data and other associated technological developments.
The reading introduces backtesting techniques. You will learn how these tools increase the usefulness of otherwise “random” data.
Economics and Investment Markets
Financial market activity is intimately interwoven with the overall state of the economy. Through financial markets, savers can defer consumption, providing governments and corporations greater access to capital.
The reading explores the connection between the real economy and financial markets and demonstrates the usefulness of economic analysis in the valuation of securities and their aggregates. You will review how the economy influences the prices of various forms of debt, equity, and credit.
Analysis of Active Portfolio Management
Modern portfolio theory (MPT) has its roots in the 1952 Markowitz framework. It has since evolved into the dominant framework for discussing and applying the principles of risk and return in portfolio management. Since 1952, various models, concepts, terminology, and mathematics have been combined with the Markowitz framework to create the MPT.
You are expected to have an understanding of basic portfolio theory (from Level 1) before reading in this section. The reading introduces the mathematics of “value-added” through active portfolio management, compares various risk measurements, and provides examples of active portfolio management strategies in equity and fixed-income markets.
Level 2 Portfolio Management Sample Questions and Answers
These sample questions are typical of the L2 exam’s complexity and depth – formatted as item sets, with a vignette to deliver a scenario that tests the CFA L2 exam curriculum. On the actual exam, each vignette applies to 4 questions. We’ve added a few additional ones for you to practice with. Be sure to review the illustrated explanations we’ve provided for each question. UWorld’s question bank is designed to expose you to exam-like questions and explain the concepts tested thoroughly.
Which of the following best describes the role of Broad Street as authorized participant?
- Facilitates the creation/redemption of ETF shares with the fund sponsor
- Is authorized by the fund sponsor to trade its ETF in the secondary market
- Buys shares of stock directly from the fund sponsor to create new ETF shares
An ETF creation unit is best described as stocks:
- included in the ETF that are publicly disclosed each day by the fund sponsor
- that the AP receives from the fund sponsor in exchange for shares of the ETF
- that the AP sends to the fund sponsor in exchange for large blocks of the ETF
Based on Exhibit 1, the presence of Company K in the redemption basket is most likely related to:
- representative sampling
- the quarterly rebalancing
- adding Company K to the ETF
What to Expect in CFA Level 3 Portfolio Management?
The updated CFA Level 3 curriculum is strategically designed for advanced financial roles, emphasizing key focus areas and refined topic weights. In addition to the core curriculum, it introduces a choice of specialized pathways covering 30%- 35% of the curriculum, ensuring you are equipped for specialization and leadership in the finance industry.
| Topic | Topic Name | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asset Allocation | 15%-20% |
| 2 | Portfolio Construction | 15%-20% |
| 3 | Performance Measurement | 5%-10% |
| 4 | Derivatives and Risk Management | 10%-15% |
| 5 | Ethical and Professional Standards | 10%-15% |
| 6 | Pathways | 30%-35% |
As you delve into these new pathways, detailed descriptions of each can be found seamlessly integrated within our Level 3 curriculum topic outline guide. The CFA Level 3 topic weights remain unchanged in 2026 from the 2025 exam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How hard does Portfolio Management get for the CFA Level 1 exam?
Portfolio Management (PM) on the CFA Level 1 exam varies in difficulty based on a candidate’s prior knowledge and experience. It is moderately challenging, building upon fundamental concepts from earlier sections. You need a basic understanding of theories and concepts such as diversification, asset allocation, and risk management. Familiarity with investment products and securities is important. To prepare, you should allocate ample study time, solve practice problems, and focus on grasping underlying theories. This builds a strong foundation and improves their chances of success.
How do I practice CFA Portfolio Management questions?
To prepare for CFA Portfolio Management questions, start by reviewing the curriculum and understanding the concepts. Solve practice questions from various sources, including CFA Institute, study materials, and online forums such as UWorld. Analyze your mistakes and learn from them. Practice time management by solving questions within the exam’s time limits. Focus on key topics including Financial Statement Analysis and Ethics, while allocating sufficient time to portfolio management. Seek feedback from study groups or a tutor to improve your study plan.
Is the CFA charter good for a career in Portfolio Management?
Yes. The CFA charter can be an excellent credential for a career in Portfolio Management. The CFA program provides a comprehensive and rigorous education in investment management, covering a wide range of topics such as ethics, financial analysis, economics, and portfolio management. Having the CFA charter demonstrates to employers and clients that you have a deep understanding of these concepts and are committed to ethical practices. It can also increase your marketability and career opportunities in the field of Portfolio Management, as the credential is highly respected within the industry.
Does the Portfolio Management topic get challenging in the CFA Level 2 exam?
Yes. The Portfolio Management topic gets more challenging in the CFA Level 2 exam compared to the CFA Level 1 exam. In Level 2, the Portfolio Management topic builds upon the foundational concepts introduced in Level 1 and includes more advanced concepts and techniques. In particular, Level 2 Portfolio Management covers topics such as asset allocation, risk management, and performance evaluation. The material is more quantitative, and you are expected to have a solid understanding of statistical concepts and financial modeling techniques. Additionally, the CFA Level 2 exam places a greater emphasis on the application and analysis of concepts, requiring you to be able to apply your knowledge in real-world scenarios. While Portfolio Management is not the most heavily weighted topic in the CFA Level 2 exam, it is still important and requires time and study effort.
What topics are included in the CFA Portfolio Management syllabus?
The Portfolio Management syllabus includes investment policy statements, risk and return concepts, asset allocation, portfolio construction, behavioral finance, performance evaluation, risk management techniques, and manager selection, with Level 1 introducing the basics, Level 2 focusing on application and quantitative tools, and Level 3 emphasizing integrated portfolio management and private wealth/institutional mandates.
How many Portfolio Management questions appear on the CFA exam?
Portfolio Management typically represents about 8–12% of Level 1, around 10–15% of Level 2, and becomes one of the most heavily weighted areas at Level 3, often accounting for 30–35% of the exam through item sets and constructed-response questions.
What is the difference between Portfolio Management in Levels 1, 2, and 3?
Level 1 focuses on introductory concepts such as diversification, CAPM, risk and return, and basic portfolio theory, while Level 2 emphasizes portfolio analytics including factor models, performance attribution, and risk management tools. Level 3 shifts to applying portfolio concepts within wealth management and institutional contexts and includes substantial written (essay) components requiring structured reasoning and justification.
Which Portfolio Management topics are considered the hardest?
Candidates often struggle most with multi-factor models, performance attribution, risk decomposition, asset allocation frameworks, derivatives-based hedging strategies, and Level 3 wealth management IPS construction because these topics require both conceptual understanding and practical application.
Is Portfolio Management heavily quantitative?
Portfolio Management includes several important formulas, particularly for risk and return, portfolio variance, factor models, performance attribution, and risk-adjusted return metrics, but Level 3 shifts toward more qualitative judgment and scenario-based reasoning, making it less formula-heavy than Level 2.
How should I study Portfolio Management?
Begin with understanding core concepts such as diversification, risk-return trade-offs, and asset allocation, then progress to quantitative tools and performance metrics. Consistent practice with item sets and mock exams is essential, especially for Level 3 where candidates must master written responses, scenario interpretation, and IPS construction.
Does Portfolio Management appear in the CFA Level 3 essay section?
Yes. Portfolio Management dominates the Level 3 essay section, with questions typically covering investment policy statements, asset allocation recommendations, risk management, and performance evaluation, making mastery crucial for passing Level 3.
Other CFA Exam Topics
- Quantitative Methods
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Corporate Issuers
- Equity Investments
- Fixed Income
- Derivative Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Economics
- Ethics