Students from NDSU’s College of Business took first place in the local finalist round of a global financial and equity research competition. The four-member team advances to the regional finals in Chicago the week of April 11.
The CFA Institute Research Challenge requires university students to research, analyze and report on a company as if they are practicing analysts. CFA stands for chartered financial analyst, which is a professional credential offered by the institute. The NDSU students traveled to Minneapolis to present their results.
The team consists of Kathryn Eckelman, a senior finance major from Prior Lake, Minnesota; Matthew Gapp, a junior economics major from Langdon, North Dakota; Michael Wulff, a senior finance major from New Brighton, Minnesota; and Matthew Wegner, a senior finance major from Bismarck, North Dakota.
The NDSU team played the role of a Wall Street analyst to MTS Systems Corp., an Eden Prairie, Minnesota, company with a global presence. The students met face-to-face with company executives and held an investor analyst briefing. They teamed up with their adviser, associate professor of finance Fariz Huseynov, and Jason Lima, an industry professional with Disciplined Growth Investors, to go through intensive training in company analysis and presentation skills.
The team wrote a report based on their analysis of the firm, reviewing its industry position, company management and conducting statistical modeling of revenue.
This marks the first time an NDSU team has advanced to the regional finals. The top two teams from the regional finals will move on to compete in the global finals.
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