General Securities Sales Supervisor (Series 10) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Series 10 Practice Questions and Study Guide

To manage potential conflicts of interest disclosed in a research report, notifying clients about the proprietary interest is essential. Transparency is key in maintaining trust between the firm and its clients. When a research report indicates that the firm has a proprietary interest, informing clients allows them to make informed decisions based on potential biases. This disclosure helps mitigate any perception that the research could be skewed in favor of the firm's interests, fostering a more ethical and responsible investment environment.

While separating the research team from the trading department and conducting internal investigations are valuable practices in addressing conflicts of interest, the immediate and proactive step is to ensure clients are made aware of any existing proprietary interests. Employee training on proper conduct is also critical for long-term compliance and ethics, but the most direct action in the context of a disclosed conflict in a report is to inform the clients.