Winners of the Equity Research Challenge open TSX Market
Waterloo, March 28, 2013 — Student winners of this year’s Equity Research Challenge (ERC) cashed in on their prize by participating in the TSX opening ceremonies for the Toronto Stock Exchange on Thursday morning, March 28th, with the winning students ringing the opening bell.
As part of the 4th year Accounting and Finance Investments course, the ERC is designed to challenge students to aspire to industry-level thoroughness in the analysis of their assigned company. The goal is to have the students build on their in-class learning to conduct detailed, unbiased analysis of a company that is independent of market and media influence. Final presentations and written reports by the student groups were governed by the same rules and expectations as the international CFA Research Challenge.
"The Equity Research Challenge taught us valuable investment analysis techniques, presentation skills, and how to work productively with a team. We are grateful to the University of Waterloo for their extremely helpful finance and actuarial science faculty members, who shared with us their knowledge of the investment and insurance industries." states Andrew George-Parkin, the designated spokesperson for the team. Andrew, a Computing and Financial Management (CFM) student, along with Usman Chaudhry (Accounting and Financial Management – AFM), Ying Wu (Actuarial Science & Statistics), and Helen Xiangxiang Zhang (Actuarial Science & Statistics), also took home $1000 in prize money as the winning team.
The 2013 ERC featured 22 teams (105 students) from a mixture of University of Waterloo programs within accounting, finance, math, actuarial science, economics and engineering. All 22 teams presented to a panel of 9 judges from industry and within the University of Waterloo. Four student teams were selected for the finalist round.
“Our students have performed well over the years and fill many leadership roles in financial management. The four winning students are fine examples of the caliber of engaged students who have demonstrated their abilities to bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world through their insightful analysis and presentation of their findings,” states Dr. Tom Scott, Director of the School of Accounting and Finance.
About the School of Accounting and Finance
The School of Accounting and Finance is the largest professional school of its kind in English-speaking Canada. Established in 1981, the School offers undergraduate and graduate programs designed to provide students with the competencies, professionalism and practical experience they need to excel in their chosen careers. The School offers undergraduate co-op programs in accounting, finance and computing and financial management. It also offers masters programs in accounting and taxation and a PhD program in accounting.
About the University of Waterloo
In just half a century, the University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada's Technology Triangle, has become one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities with 30,000 full- and part-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Waterloo, as home to the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education program, embraces its connections to the world and encourages enterprising partnerships in learning, research and discovery. In the next decade, the university is committed to building a better future for Canada and the world by championing innovation and collaboration to create solutions relevant to the needs of today and tomorrow. For further details, visit www.uwaterloo.ca.
Editorial: Patty Mah (Manager, Marketing and Communications, School of Accounting and Finance)