A student team from Northern Illinois University has been named the Global Champion at the 16th annual CFA Institute Research Challenge.
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis and professional ethics. Students are tested on their analytical, valuation, report writing, and presentation skills and gain real-world experience as they assume the role of a research analyst.
Over the last year, local level competitions have been organized and judged by the CFA Society® community. More than 6,400 finance students from 1,100 universities representing 91 markets participated in the global competition. Winning teams from Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and the Americas advanced to the Regional Finals in April. The following five teams made it through to the CFA Institute Research Challenge Global Final, which was held virtually and aired to an international audience during Alpha Summit GLOBAL on 17 May 2022.
Marg Franklin, CFA, President and CEO, CFA Institute commented:
“The Research Challenge is one of our most enjoyable highlights in the global CFA Institute calendar. The experience brings out the very best in the students who take part, who showcase their talents for investment analysis, communication, and teamwork on an international stage. The competition demands focus and determination, but the rewards in confidence- and network-building are immeasurable. My warm congratulations to this year’s winners and all finalists on their outstanding achievements.”
The winning team from Northern Illinois University comprised three students: Nolan O’Rear, Nicholas Stone, and Paula Veyhle. The team was supported throughout the competition by its faculty adviser Gina Nicolos, and industry mentor Ian Long, CFA. The team secured the win because of its presentation and buy recommendation for Motorola Solutions to a panel of judges drawn from the investment industry.
William Tohme, Senior Regional Head, MENA, added: “This is the best real-life experience for a group of young talents to produce a complete research report on a company and compete with other international teams! Ethics, education and professional excellence are core to the competition and it provides participants with the opportunity to showcase technical and soft skills and meet employers. Across the globe, the CFA Society community has successfully organised local rounds of challenges, worked with universities and investment industry representatives, supported teams of students and helped individuals to reach their full potential. All participants have demonstrated dedication, hard work and focus at each level of the challenge. We congratulate everyone involved!”
Further information: https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/societies/challenge
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