Ethical Decision-Making in Investment Analysis

Julia is a charterholder and a senior analyst for an investment management firm. She is conducting a detailed analysis of a potential investment in Company Z, which is in the technology sector. During her research, she discovers that the CEO of Company Z has publicly claimed that the company will significantly outperform its competitors in the upcoming quarter.

Julia knows that the CEO has a history of overpromising, and her firm's internal data indicates that Company Z's recent sales have been declining. Despite the conflicting information, Julia feels pressured to endorse the investment due to the upcoming firm meeting where increasing assets under management is a priority.

As she prepares her report, Julia faces a dilemma about whether to highlight the potential red flags related to the company's performance in her analysis, which could impact her firm's investment decision. According to CFA Institute's Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, what should Julia prioritize in her investment analysis?