Lesson 24 of 34 · All lessons in this module
  1. Standard I: ProfessionalismVideo lesson
  2. Standard I cases: knowledge of the law and dissociation
  3. Standard I cases: pressure on analysts and performance staff
  4. Standard I cases: gifts, travel, manager selection and paid research
  5. Standard I cases: misrepresenting services, products and results
  6. Standard I cases: plagiarism, third-party material and online content
  7. Standard I cases: misconduct and competence
  8. Standard II: Integrity of Capital MarketsVideo lesson
  9. Standard II(A) cases: material, nonpublic or mosaic?
  10. Standard II(A) cases: tipping, experts and firm controls
  11. Standard II(B) cases: rumours, trades and intent
  12. Standard II cases: extra 2026 examples and procedures
  13. Standard III(A)–(B): Loyalty, Prudence, Care and Fair DealingVideo lesson
  14. Standard III(A) cases: client identity, loyalty and brokerage
  15. Standard III(B) cases: dissemination, allocation and priority
  16. Standard III(C)–(E): Suitability, Performance Presentation and ConfidentialityVideo lesson
  17. Standard III(C) cases: IPS, total portfolio and mandates
  18. Standard III(D) cases: fair, accurate and complete performance
  19. Standard III(E) cases: exceptions, channels and firm limits
  20. Standard IV: Duties to EmployersVideo lesson
  21. Standard IV(A) cases: loyalty, outside work and leaving
  22. Standard IV(B) and IV(C) cases: outside pay and supervision
  23. Standard V: Investment Analysis, Recommendations, and ActionsVideo lesson
  24. Standard V(A) cases: reasonable basis and outside research
  25. Standard V(A) cases: models, advisers and providers
  26. Standard V(B) cases: services, costs and process changes
  27. Standard V(B) cases: risks, limitations, facts and opinions
  28. Standard V(C) cases: records and retention
  29. Standard VI: Conflicts of InterestVideo lesson
  30. Standard VI(A) cases: avoiding and disclosing conflicts
  31. Standard VI(B) and VI(C) cases: who trades first and who gets paid
  32. Standard VII: Responsibilities as a CFA Institute Member or CFA CandidateVideo lesson
  33. Standard VII(A) cases: exams, confidentiality and volunteering
  34. Standard VII(B) cases: using the designation, membership and candidacy

Lesson 24 of 34 · 15 min

Standard V(A) cases: reasonable basis and outside research

A recommendation stands on the work done before it, not on the result after it: ask what the basis was, whether it was still current when the client acted, and whose research you leaned on.

In short

  • Ask first: what was the basis at the time? Time pressure, popular opinion, a friend's reputation or one overheard remark is not research.
  • Then ask: was it still current? New facts that arrive before the client acts must be reflected in the report or recommendation.
  • Judge the process, never the outcome: a thorough analysis that loses money complies; a lucky call with no basis violates.
  • Outside research (a colleague's or a third party's) may be used after checking its assumptions, rigour, timeliness and objectivity; blogs and social media need the most review.
  • In group work you may stay named on a conclusion you disagree with when the process was independent and had a reasonable basis.

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