SUU Student Investors Bring Home Gold

Published: December 09, 2019 | Author: Lyndsey Nelson | Read Time: 2 minutes

Select members of Southern Utah University’s Investment Scholars Group claimed first place for at the 2019 Student Managed Investment Fund Consortium (SMIFC) Conference. The group was composed of four students; Marin Ward, Natalie Smith, Briley Roundy, and Quentin Vavasseur.

“This was an incredible win for us as well as for the university,” said competitor Marin Ward, “We were so lucky to be a part of such a talented team and to be led by Professor Engst. This was truly a life-changing experience!”

The SMIF Consortium is a conference designed to build a community of institutions with a shared vision for student success and leadership in investing. It also establishes relationships with industry partners to assist in its primary goals of student education, research, and leadership.

Each year consortium members send student-teams from universities all over the country to the SMIFC Conference.  Guest speakers from industry and academia talk about their careers, views on markets, and industry trends. Additionally, teams participate in a two-part competition called "Building a Winning, Long-Term Portfolio."  

First, teams submit a five- to six-page paper in which they justify their pick of at least 10 stocks using a virtual $1,000,000.  Second, teams enter their picks into a simulator which runs for several months.  

Judges evaluate papers on the team's ability to identify and discuss the economic, industrial, political, global and financial factors that might affect the market, describe their asset allocation and diversification strategies, analyze the financial statements of each company of interest, and articulate in writing their overall findings, strategy, analysis, and final recommendations.

During the Awards Dinner, the SMIFC2019 judges announced that SUU's paper had won first place!  The team was handed an oversized check for $1,000.

"To walk away with first place was a real thrill for us, especially considering the caliber of the competition,” said Stephen Engst, lecturer of finance and faculty advisor to the team. “SUU students did a superlative job."

The SUU team won by a large margin and it was said that the judges would want to hire the team “on the spot.”

As for part two of the competition, SUU entered 10 stock picks into the Voleo simulator.  In March, after the simulation period has ended, the judges will announce the team with the best investment performance.  The winner of this part of the competition will take home $10,000. 

Learn more about the Investment Scholars Group at SUU.

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