Research Challenge
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is a global competition which tests the analytic, valuation, report writing, and presentation skills of university students. The challenge comprises analysis of a publicly-traded company, mentoring by a professional research analyst, writing a research report, and presentation of research to a panel of experts. The first Research Challenge competition was hosted by the New York Society of Security Analysts in 2002 and involved just five teams from the New York area. Since then, the competition has grown to involve thousands of students from over 1,000 universities in more than 75 countries.
View the 2018 Kickoff Presentation
Congratulations to our 2018 winner Univeristy of South Carolina
Watch Three Finalist Presentations
2016 Research Challenge Kickoff Presentation
2016 Research Challenge Kickoff Conference Call
Volunteers
The challenge is a volunteer-intensive effort and requires the participation of many industry leading portfolio managers and analysts. Opportunities for volunteering include grading the written research reports, mentoring a team, or judging the oral presentations. CFA continuing education credit may be available for volunteering. If you are interested in helping in any of these capacities, please email us at cfa.irc.southernclassic@gmail.com.
Students and Faculty
If you are a student or faculty member from a college or university in Georgia, South Carolina, or Alabama and are interested in joining this year’s CFA Institute Research Challenge Southern Classic, please send an email to cfa.irc.southernclassic@gmail.com.
Past Champions
Date |
Year |
Subject Company |
Winner |
2009 |
Year 1 |
MedAssets, Inc |
Georgia Tech |
2010 |
Year 2 |
Cbeyond, Inc |
Georgia State University |
2011 |
Year 3 |
Global Payments, Inc |
University of Georgia |
2012 |
Year 4 |
AGCO Corporation |
Wofford College |
2013 |
Year 5 |
Rock-Tenn Company |
University of Georgia |
2014 |
Year 6 |
Mowhawk Industries, Inc |
University of Alabama |
2015 |
Year 7 |
Axiall Corporation |
Wofford College |
2016 |
Year 8 |
Intercontinental Exchange |
University of Georgia |
2017 |
Year 9 |
Delta Air Lines |
Kennesaw State University |