A team of Fresno State business students who learn to invest by managing real money earned first place in an international student-managed portfolio competition March 27-29 in Dayton, Ohio.

Fresno State’s Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) program, offered through the Department of Finance and Business Law, gives students real-life experience in investment, securities analysis and portfolio management. Students in the program manage a $2.7 million endowment for the Fresno State Foundation.

Students grew the fund by 37.8 percent last year, resulting in the first-place honor in a competition at the University of Dayton RISE (Redefining Investment Strategy Education) conference.

“The SMIF program intends to bridge the gap between theory and practice,” said Dr. K.C. Chen, chair of the Department of Finance and Business Law. “I am so proud of my students for their dedication and passion in managing funds. Winning the national championship in growth investment style will boost students’ confidence and help their job placement after they graduate.”

The competition drew 60 teams in six investment categories. Fresno State’s team was recognized in the growth category. Fresno State’s program had a total of 42 students involved in managing the fund over two semesters last year.

“I’m very proud of the students and the success and growth of the investment fund,” said Dr. Robert Harper, dean of the Craig School of Business at Fresno State. “This first-place prize is a testament to how valuable real-world experiences are for our students in increasing their chances for success in the working world.”

RISE is the world’s largest student-investment forum, bringing together international leaders in the finance industry to share their perspectives on economic and market trends, forecasts and critical issues with students, faculty and professionals.

Students will soon get another tool to help build their successes. The Craig School is set to open a Wall Street-style stock trading room for students and faculty in the fall, funded by a $45,000 gift from Wells Fargo. The trading room will be one of only four stock training labs in California.

For more information, contact Dr. K.C. Chen at 559.278.5646 or kchen@csufresno.edu; or Dean Robert Harper at 559.278.2482 or roberth@csufresno.edu.

 

Related Links:

Student Managed Investment Fund

RISE

Craig School to build stock trading room