The CFA Research Challenge 2025 is fast approaching and EADA Business School is excited to announce that we have two talented teams ready to compete!
Organised by the CFA Institute, the leading global association for investment management professionals, the Research Challenge gives over 5,000 students from top universities and business schools the chance to showcase their skills by producing a detailed equity research report on a publicly listed company (this year: Inditex).
Each team must prepare an investment report about the target company (Inditex) that includes a complete financial analysis, a company valuation and also a share price estimate with their investment recommendation.
The Challenge consists of several key phases:
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
Competing in the CFA Research Challenge is an exciting challenge for our participants! It is an incredible learning experience for the team members, as they apply what they have learned in class directly to a real company. Additionally, this competition gives them the chance to polish their soft skills (leadership, team building and presentation techniques), skills which they have acquired during intensive modules at the EADA Campus in Collbató.
Jaume Bonet, Programme Director of the International Master in Finance at EADA
EADA is thrilled to take part in this renowned international competition each year, which brings together so many talented individuals.
Meet the Teams!
TEAM 1 (from left to right): Vaishvik Savan Patel (India), Caitlin Mary Parker Allen (New Zealand), Finn Jakob Hartmann (Germany), Vilma Lleshi (Albania), Theo Berggren (Norway)
TEAM 2: (from left to right): Florin Andrea Wetter (Switzerland), Bianca Florescu (Romania), Henrik Hjørnevik (Norway), Francisca Maria Carneiro de Azevedo Marques dos Santos (Portugal), Jakob Friedrich Stoehlmacher (Germany)
We spoke with some members of EADA’s CFA Research Challenge teams for 2025, who shared their motivations, excitement, and thoughts on the challenges ahead.
For Bianca Florescu, joining the CFA Research Challenge team was driven by a passion for finance and a desire to take on new challenges. “Curiosity and passion have pushed me to join the EADA CFA Team” she explains. “The confidence instilled in me during the first few days at EADA made me want to challenge myself further and seek hands-on experience in the field.” Bianca is eager to embrace the learning that comes with participating in such a competitive and intellectually demanding environment.
“I truly believe that personal growth happens when we’re not afraid to climb the learning curve alongside professionals and the team.”
Bianca
Henrik Hjørnevik was drawn to the CFA Research Challenge as an opportunity to learn through practical, real-world experience. “I wanted to join the EADA CFA Research Challenge Team because it seemed like a great way to learn by doing“, he shares.
Henrik’s excitement stems from the chance to dive deep into the research process and learn how to produce a professional-level analysis. “I’m really looking forward to digging into the research and learning how to put together a comprehensive, professional-level analysis” he says.
“Working with others who are passionate about finance and pushing myself in such a well-regarded challenge felt like an amazing opportunity.”
For Caitlin Mary Parker Allen, joining the CFA team was an opportunity to fully immerse herself in the world of finance and push her boundaries. “Applying to join the CFA team felt like a great way to push my boundaries and fully immerse myself in the world of finance while undertaking my Master. It’s not every day you get the chance to dive into a real-world company and compete on a global stage!“ she explains.
What excites Caitlin the most is the opportunity to transform complex data into a compelling narrative.
“Digging into INDITEX, crafting insights from their financials and competitive positioning, and presenting these to industry professionals excites me. It’s a great opportunity to merge technical skills with strategic thinking.”
As the competition approaches, Bianca, Henrik, Caitlin, and the rest of EADA’s CFA Research Challenge team members are fully prepared to face the tough challenges that lie ahead. For these students, the CFA Research Challenge is more than just a competition; it’s an opportunity to test their skills, push their limits, and grow as finance professionals.
EADA is proud to support these talented students as they take on the CFA Research Challenge. We are confident that their passion, determination, and teamwork will lead them to success on the global stage.
Good luck to our CFA Research Challenge teams for 2025 – EADA is cheering you on every step of the way!