Sobey Kick-starts 2012 with Atlantic Win

Suzanne Gould Derek Li Rodney Oickle Marc Young

On January 14 a team of four IMPACT students from the Sobey School of Business competed against teams from Dalhousie, Mount Allison, Université de Moncton and University of Prince Edward Island to win the fifth annual CFA Atlantic Investment Research Challenge.

“I'm really proud of how our group came together,” says Marc Young, a fourth year Accounting major who starts work this spring for Husky Energy. “We have a diverse dynamic as our team is made up of an Economics and Finance major, an Accounting major, a Finance major, and an MBA; I think this gives us a broader perspective.”

In April, Young and teammates Suzanne Gould, Derek Li and Rodney Oickle will travel to New York to compete in the CFA Institute’s Global Investment Research Challenge. As Fund Managers in the IMPACT Program, the Sobey School of Business’ student-run investment fund, the four are well versed in preparing and defending professional quality corporate analyses.

“Saint Mary's has a history of doing well,” says Rodney Oickle, a 4th year Finance and Economics student. "Two years ago we came 3rd in North America, defeating some of the major Ivy League schools.”

Preparations for this year’s Atlantic challenge began in October, ramping up in December as participants took time from holiday festivities to complete a research report and valuation on Home Capital Group, Canada's leader of subprime mortgage lending. “We all worked hard through the Christmas break,” says Young. “I can remember finishing a section of the report on Christmas Eve.”

“We learned from last year’s experience,” observes team member Derek Li, a fourth year commerce student who is majoring in Finance.  Li was in the audience at the 2011 Atlantic competition when UPEI walked away with the win. “Last year the Saint Mary’s team had a smooth presentation,” he says, “but their report wasn’t as strong as it might have been. This year we focused more on the story-telling part of the report.”

An international, not-for-profit association of investment professionals, the CFA provides business students with real world experience in equity analysis. Saint Mary’s students agree that the hard work and sacrifice required for the regional competition is well worth the chance to face off in New York against 40 regional societies from around the world.

“This is a huge opportunity,” says Young. “We now have the opportunity to go up against some of the strongest Finance students in North and South America.”

The students will travel to the Americas regional challenge on April 10, 2012 in New York City. They will compete with student teams from Canada, the United States, and South America.

This page last modified Friday, 27-Jan-2012 12:35:14 AST