If an analyst uses data from a colleague’s report without verification, which standard could be violated?

Using data from a colleague's report without verification can lead to violating Standard V(A), which emphasizes the importance of diligence and a reasonable basis for investment analyses and recommendations. This standard requires analysts to ensure that they have conducted sufficient due diligence on the data they use, meaning that they should verify sources and the accuracy of the information before including it in their own analysis.

By relying solely on another person's report without verifying the information, the analyst could potentially mislead clients or stakeholders if that data is incorrect or misrepresented. This lack of diligence undermines the integrity of the analyst's work and could affect investment decisions made based on potentially flawed or unverified data.

Although citing the source is crucial for transparency and credit, it does not absolve the analyst from the responsibility of conducting independent verification. Therefore, failing to verify this information while still presenting it in their analysis can violate the standard pertaining to diligence and reasonable basis.