Which of the following is not a fiduciary duty owed by agents to principals?

• A. Loyalty
• B. Obedience
• C. Care
• D. Profit maximization

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that fiduciary duties are about how an agent must behave toward the principal, not about the principal’s business objective itself. Agents owe loyalty (put the principal’s interests first and avoid conflicts), obedience (follow lawful instructions), and care (act with reasonable diligence and prudence).

Profit maximization, while often a goal for the principal, isn’t a standing fiduciary duty. An agent must act in the principal’s best interests and with due care, but those duties don’t obligate the agent to maximize profits in every situation. Sometimes pursuing profits could conflict with loyalty or the duty to follow instructions, or could violate the duty of care if it involves unreasonable risk or improper conduct. Therefore, profit maximization is not a fiduciary duty the agent owes the principal.