It is that time again! The annual CFA Research Challenge for 2024 is quickly approaching, and EADA is excited to announce our two teams selected for the competition! The Research Challenge hosted by the CFA Institute, the premier global association for investment management professionals, is an opportunity for more than 5,000 students from top universities and business schools to compete to produce a comprehensive equity research report for a publicly listed company (this year: Fluidra).
The Challenge involves several steps:
Analysis of a public company
Mentoring by a professional research analyst or portfolio manager
Writing an equity research report
Presentation of research to a panel of experts
EADA is honored every year to participate in this international competition that brings together so many talented individuals. This challenge is a great opportunity for our students to gain experience as well as to represent EADA. The Programme Director for the Master in Finance, Jaume Bonet says, “The CFA Research Challenge is the best opportunity for our participants to apply the financial analysis and company valuation knowledge learned during the Master programme, at a professional level and in a very competitive environment.”
Meet the Teams!
With the competition quickly approaching, we asked our teams what made them decide to join the challenge, and what they are most excited for.
Raunav Banerjee (India), who claimed that he has aspired to represent EADA at the challenge since the time of admissions, says that “the networking opportunities and the exposure to presentation skills that the CFA Research Challenge candidates get are invaluable.” Other participants say that this challenge was made for them. “To compete and try new things is something I strive to do,” says Sebastian Strand-Eide (Norway), “That is why the CFA Challenge was perfect for me.”
Getting your hands dirty in company valuation and equity research will be a tough job, but exciting one.
Vishal Singh (India)
The CFA Research Challenge attracts the most competitive intellectuals that are keen to show their talent. Our students are looking forward to being challenged this year with Gabriel Ross Fish (United States) claiming that he thinks “the most challenging part of the CFARC will be deciding which data are material and which should influence our final valuation.”
On the other hand, Tallak Seland (Norway) says the most challenging part of the competition will be “nailing down time management” and that “starting early will be crucial to handle the workload effectively.” The answers to this challenge are not black and white.
Raunav says, “what matters is how well you can defend your conclusion by using the soft skills that we have learnt so far at EADA and in the end it will all boil down to the team chemistry, the depth of research and the reasonability of the assumptions used.”
The CFA is a huge project, with a lot of research and hours that are needed to be dedicated to it. However, good time management will make it possible
Thomas Thorenfeldt (Norway)
The CFA Research Challenge is an enriching experience, it may be tough, but we know that our participants will rise to the occasion and surpass expectations as previous EADA teams have done when reaching the National Finals in Madrid and the EMEA 2019 final in Switzerland! The time is ticking with the deadline for the written report at the beginning of February, and the top 5 teams nominated to continue on to the final presentation in the same month.
Good luck to our two teams! EADA will be cheering you on and we look forward to seeing all of your success!
