Investment Process and Ethical Standards

As a portfolio manager at a boutique asset management firm, you are in the process of developing an investment strategy for a newly established fund. Adhering to the CFA Institute's Asset Manager Code is crucial to your firm’s reputation and ethical standing in the market. One critical area of the Code emphasizes clarity in the investment process to ensure that clients understand the rationale behind investment decisions.

During a strategy meeting, one of your colleagues suggests that you should prioritize the use of proprietary algorithms for stock selection and keep the methodology confidential from clients to maintain a competitive edge. You express concern about this approach, wanting to align with the Code's investment process guidelines. Considering these factors, which of the following options best reflects adherence to the ethical standards for investment processes as outlined in the Asset Manager Code?