Risk and Return

You are advising Jennifer Foster. Jennifer is an index arbitrage trader who works for a major global investment bank. Jennifer’s trading desk is on Park Avenue in New York City. Jennifer is 34 years old, is married with one child. Having recently returned from Maternity leave, Jennifer and her husband are planning on two more children before she turns 40. Jennifer has been a trader since graduating from MBA School at 25. Jennifer has changed her firm three times in her nine-year career. Jennifer’s husband has left his job as a restaurant manager to become a stay at home dad. In your discussions with Jennifer you have accumulated the following notes about her income and assets:

Annual salary of $200,000.

Average annual bonus over the past three years of $150,000.

Combined family savings of $180,000.

Jennifer rents a three bedroom apartment for $5000 per month.

Jennifer’s husband’s annual salary was $80,000 (until he stopped working when Jennifer returned to work).

Jennifer expects equity markets to perform well over the long term.

Jennifer has an exceptional understanding of financial markets.

In the questionnaire Jennifer filled out, she strongly disagreed with the statement ‘in terms of investing, safety is more important that returns’.

Jennifer and her husband want to retire at 55 and begin a life of short-term missions trips together.

R1. Discuss in detail Jennifer’s risk tolerance; both in terms of ability and willingness to take risk. Use as many of the facts of the case as possible to support your argument.

R2. Discuss any areas of financial counseling you believe need to be discussed with Jennifer and her husband, and why? Support your arguments with specific data from the case and your group’s wisdom and experience. Include a specific scripture reference and application to Jennifer in your advice.