The CFA Institute Research Challenge is a
global competition that tests the equity
research and valuation, investment report
writing, and presentation skills of university
students. This annual educational initiative
promotes best practices in equity research
among the next generation of analysts
through hands-on mentoring and intensive
training in company analysis and
presentation skills.
2015 PARTICIPATION
4,000+
2,500+
865+
137
99
70
Students
Industry Volunteers
Universities
CFA Member Societies
CFA Local Level Challenges
Countries
HOW THE CHALLENGE WORKS
BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION
Local CFA Institute volunteers work in conjunction with
participating local universities to assemble teams of 3–5
business and finance students, both graduate and
undergraduate. Each team works directly with a mentor
to research and prepare an equity research report on a
publicly traded company.
Students: Develop your resume/CV through hands-on
mentoring and intensive training in company analysis
and presentation skills.
Each team’s findings are locally evaluated by high-profile
panels of heads of research, portfolio managers, and
chief investment officers from some of the world’s top
firms. Local champions advance to regional competitions
in the Americas, Asia Pacific, and EMEA, and then to the
global final.
The Americas Regional and Global Final will take place
during the week of 11 April 2016, in Chicago, IL.
Universities: Showcase your university on a global
scale and provide your students with practical training
and invaluable exposure to top industry professionals.
Mentors and Panelists: Encourage best practices in
research within the next generation of investment
professionals and help give back to the investment
profession in a high-impact manner.
PAST LOCAL WINNERS
PAST SUBJECT COMPANIES
2015 University of Colorado - Boulder
2015 Charles Schwab
2014 University of Denver
2014 Molson Coors
2013 Colorado State University
2013 Ball Corporation
2012 University of Denver
2012 Newmont Mining
2011 University of Colorado - Boulder
2011 Western Union
2010 University of Denver
2010 Chipotle
2015-16 CFA INSTITUTE RESEARCH CHALLENGE TIMELINE FOR CO UNIVERSITIES
On September 21 st, 2015, a kickoff session was conducted at Koelbel Hall, Leeds School of Business. Students,
university professors, and society members were familiarized with the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards
of Professional Conduct. Ivan Sichkar, CFA and Marshall Essig, CFA and chair of the Advocacy Council facilitated
the session and provided a detailed overview of the official rules and answered questions from the audience. A
slideshow presentation from the kickoff session is available online.
The corporate presentation hosted by this year’s subject company, DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc., has been
slated for November 2015. On January 25th 2016, all student teams will make an oral presentation and issue a
recommendation about the subject company to a panel of judges in Denver, Colorado. The winning team will
secure a place in the regional final in Chicago, Illinois, USA the week of 11 April 2016 where they will meet other
teams from around the world. The successful team will then compete in the Global Final in the same location , IL.
Participation in the Research Challenge is an invaluable opportunity for the future generation of analysts to learn
from leading industry experts and to compete with peers from the world’s top schools. If you would like to get
involved with the Research Challenge as a volunteer, participant, or have your company analyzed by independent
and smart teams from local universities, please feel free to contact us. When it comes to hiring interns or entry level
specialists, the Local CFA Institute Research Challenge provides access to a pool of highly qualified students.
Student resumes may be viewed here.
2015-16 PARTICIPATING CO UNIVERSITIES
2015-16 SUBJECT COMPANY
University of Colorado – Boulder
DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc. (DVA)
University of Denver
Colorado State University
A Fortune 500® company and a leading
provider of dialysis services in the United
States
University of Denver
Over $16.4 billion market cap
University of Colorado – Boulder
Listed on NYSE
University of Denver
Over 50,000 employees
Colorado School of Mines
Headquartered in Denver, CO
SPONSORS
A LinkedIn group has been created for all current and prior
participants in CFA Institute Research Challenge –
Colorado. All students, volunteers and employees of
companies who participated in the Research Challenge are
welcome to join this group and connect with our alumni
network. We will be posting updates about the Research
Challenge, make announcements about social events
around the Research Challenge, as well job opportunities
and educational material.