A TEAM of Ateneans won the ninth Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Challenge (IRC) Asia-Pacific regionals held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza on March 12.

The CFA IRC is a global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and training in financial analysis.

The Philippine team consisted of alumni Sarah Cua (BS ME ’15), Enrique Fausto (BS ME ’15), Shaun Que (BS ME and AB EC-H ’15), Kyle Velasco (BSM AMF ’15) and applied mathematical finance and economics-honors supersenior Jayhan Regner.

Finance and Accounting Department Lecturer Roberto Bayot and Manulife Senior Assistant Vice President Mark Canizares served as the team’s mentors.

The team represented the Philippines and competed against 21 other countries from the Asia Pacific region.

They will soon represent the Asia Pacific region for the global finals in Atlanta, Georgia on April 17.

In an interview with The GUIDON, Que said that the participating teams acted as stockbrokers who were expected to analyze a company and to recommend whether to buy, sell or hold the company’s stocks based on a target price.

This year, the CFA Institute Philippines chose the Concepcion Industrial Corporation as the subject company for the competition.

Que explained that the process entailed “understanding the company background, strategy, industry, risks and forecasting how the stock will perform in the future to come up with our calculated target price.”

A report evaluation form and a presentation scoring sheet containing the criteria were used to judge the teams’ output.

The research report evaluation form included the criteria for the teams’ business description, industry overview and competitive positioning, investment summary, valuation, financial analysis and investment risks.

On the other hand, the presentation scoring sheet included the criteria for the teams’ arguments, questions, financial valuation and other analysis, team involvement, poise and materials.

“Test of commitment”

Que said that the competition was a “test of commitment” for his team because they had to balance their extra-curricular activities, thesis work and time with their families and friends.

However, Que said that his team was “happy and fulfilled” because the CFA IRC was the highlight of their stay in college.

He added that despite the sleepless nights and meetings during unwarranted times, it was “great to know that it was all worth it.”