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PMT Permitted Use of Derivatives in Mutual Funds Guide

CSI Portfolio Management Techniques chapter guide for permitted use of derivatives in mutual funds, with section lessons, mandate controls, operations cues, and review priorities.

Permitted Use of Derivatives in Mutual Funds is a PMT exam topic weighted at 5%. Use this chapter landing page to frame the mandate, operating model, technique, or reporting issue first, then move into the section lessons for the specific controls and portfolio-management decisions.

What this topic is really testing

  • derivatives uses, benefits, and risk types
  • mandate fit, oversight, and remediation

Section lessons

LessonMain review cue
Derivatives Uses, Benefits, and Risk TypesIdentify the main types of mutual funds that may use derivatives
Mandate Fit, Oversight, and RemediationIdentify when derivative use is inconsistent with a fund’s stated investment objective or disclosure

Better first instincts

If the case feels most like…Better first move
authority, mandate, or benchmark problemverify permission and restriction language before selecting a technique
operational workflow issueidentify whether the failure sits in front, middle, or back office
equity or fixed-income techniqueconnect the method to risk budget, benchmark, and client objective
reporting or attribution questionexplain the result without overstating skill or ignoring benchmark limits

Common traps

  • treating PMT as only investment selection instead of mandate-driven portfolio management
  • ignoring operations and control evidence after a trade decision
  • selecting a technique that exceeds the mandate or implementation capacity
  • confusing performance measurement with clear client communication

In this section

Revised on Friday, May 29, 2026
5. Managing Fixed Income Portfolios
7. Creating New Portfolio Management Mandates