TORONTO – 28 February 2017 – Students from the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) at the University of Waterloo are the winners of the CFA Institute Research Challenge Local Competition. Student team members, Sophia Chen, Judy Dong, Thinisha Gunasekera, Raj Patel, and Talha Siddiqui, each will receive a thousand dollar prize and will be advancing to the regional competition of the CFA Instititue Research Challenge in Seattle, Washington on 06 – 07 April 2017.  

"The CFA Research Challenge inspires finance students worldwide to sharpen and refine their analytical and presentation skills, as well as their ability to think on their feet as they defend their conclusions in the face of rigorous cross-examination.I am amazed by the quality of young, bright minds that have stepped forward for the 2017 competition. As well, we would not have been able to accomplish this without the incredible support from our [CFA Institute Research Challenge] Industry Mentor, Jeannine Li Chong." Steve Balaban, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, Mink Capital and CFA Society Toronto volunteer.

This is University of Waterloo’s second consecutive local win and the fifth overall since the Society started this initiative in 2010. Last year’s SAF students competed against stiff competition and were the second Canadian team to win the Americas regionals level of the challenge, and the first Canadian team to be global champions of the competition. 

“The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an amazing opportunity to apply our skills in equity research and valuation that we developed through our academics and co-op experiences. We are very grateful for all of the mentorship that we have received from our advisors.” Sophia Chen, SAF team captain.

The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis. Students work in teams to research and analyze a publicly traded company, and each team writes a research report on its assigned company with a buy, sell, or hold recommendation. Teams that progress to local, regional and global finals must present and defend their analysis to a panel of industry professionals. Students learn from experienced industry experts and peers from the world’s top business schools.

For more information visit CFA Institute Research Challenge 

Media Contacts:
Jonathan Mai
CFA Society Toronto
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Phone: (416) 366-5755 X 235
E-mail: media@cfatoronto.ca
Twitter: @cfatoronto 

Graham Edwards, CFA
CFA Society Ottawa
Chair of Membership/Mentorship and Branding
Phone: 613-695-5517
Email: edwardsgraham8@gmail.com

About CFA Society Toronto

CFA Society Toronto is the world’s largest society of CFA® charterholders and is dedicated to supporting the professional and business development of over nine thousand members. We provide our membership with a local perspective on a global designation through our member services, which include: educational programs, sponsored events, employment postings, quarterly newsletters and networking opportunities. A not-for-profit organization, CFA Society Toronto is affiliated with CFA Institute, the global body that administers the Chartered Financial Analyst® curriculum and sets voluntary, ethics-based performance-reporting standards for the investment industry. CFA Society Toronto’s members are leaders in ethics in the financial community. For more information, please refer to www.cfatoronto.ca.

About CFA Society Ottawa

CFA Society Ottawa is a not-for-profit organization that supports the professional and business development of approximately 385 CFA® charterholders in the Ottawa region. Consisting of portfolio managers, security analysts, investment advisors, and other financial professionals, we promote: ethical and professional standards within the investment industry, encourage professional development through the CFA Program and continuing education, facilitate the exchange of information and opinions among people within the local investment community and beyond, and; work to further the public's understanding of the CFA designation and investment industry.  CFA Society Ottawa is affiliated with CFA Institute, the global body that administers the Chartered Financial Analyst curriculum and sets voluntary, ethics-based performance-reporting standards for the investment industry. For more information, please refer to www.cfaottawa.ca.