UW-Green Bay Finance Students Compete in CFA Institute’s Global Research Challenge
What is the CFA Global Research Challenge? The CFA Institute sponsors the annual global equity research challenge competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis. Working in teams, students gain real-world experience as they assume the role of research analysts and are judged on the ability to value a stock, write a research report, and present their recommendations to a panel of investment industry professionals. The students work on a research report of a designated company as if the students were working for an investment firm. Their report results in a comprehensive review of the target company that determines whether the stock is a buy or sell. It is not a stock picking contest; teams are judged on the quality of the research and their ability to present their ideas to industry professionals. This year’s target company was Molson Coors (TAP). Teams can advance from the local competitions, to the regional, national, and international competitions.
The competition began with a kick-off meeting in November and final presentations were completed on February 27th, 2024. The finals were held at Marriot Milwaukee West in Waukesha Wisconsin. Teams from UW-Green Bay, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, and UW-Whitewater participated. Local CFA Societies work with state universities to assemble teams of 3 to 5 undergraduate/graduate students. Riley Siltman, Alex True, Cassie Dragosh, Mathew DeMaster, and Devon Stutzman participated in the challenge on behalf of UW-Green Bay and overall placed third.
They had great mentor support from Donald A. Swain, Chief Investment Officer of Professional Financial Management, Inc. For past 3-years, Mr. Swain has served as the mentor for the UW-Green Bay CFA Research Teams. Mr. Swain provided the team with leadership, experience, and direction on how to proceed with developing a professional research report and presentation. He is invaluable to the process of student learning and how to function within an investment organization. Donald Swain is an example of how the University and the community work together for the betterment of students.
Riley Siltman, a student participant says, “The CFA Global Research Challenge has provided me incredibly valuable insights into what the investment management industry entails. Participating in this challenge truly pushed me beyond my comfort zone to learn and improve upon myself. Through months of meticulous research and preparation, I gained invaluable knowledge and skills that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my career. Contributing to this project was a rewarding experience that I’ll always cherish.”
The CFA Global Research competition aligns with the Cofrin School of Business Transcripts to Resumes initiative and the desire to provide real world experiential learning for students. The students engage with industry professionals to develop analytical skills and then demonstrate those skills to industry professionals. The students gain real world experience and develop industry contacts that students can use to develop their future careers. UW-Green Bay will continue to participate in future CFA Institute Global Research competitions with the intention to advance and compete at the National level.
