Colin Caldwell, CFA, is the chief investment officer of Northwest Mutual Fund, whose investment objective is to invest in fixed income emerging market securities. Caldwell allocates the fund's assets primarily to bonds of commodity producers in emerging markets and invests in a combination of several different investments to ensure an acceptable level of risk. The allocation is clearly disclosed in all fund communications. High volatility in the commodities markets at the start of the year makes Caldwell pessimistic about returns, so he shifts the fund into emerging market and U.S. government securities, positions he maintains at the end of the year. This change is noted in the next annual report to fund shareholders. Caldwell's investment change least likely violated the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct concerning:
A is correct because the investment officer has invested in a combination of several different investments to ensure an acceptable level of risk rather than having all assets in a single investment, and he has sought a reasonable amount of diversification. However, the shift into emerging market and U.S. government securities was communicated to clients in the annual report and not on an ongoing basis, in violation of Standard V (B) Communication with Clients and Prospective Clients. Additionally, the investment officer has not followed the investment style previously communicated to fund investors (i.e., to invest in fixed income emerging market securities), specifically, when he invested in U.S. government securities, a violation of Standard Ⅲ (C) Suitability.