On Thursday, October 26, 2023, representatives from CFA Society Hartford, CFA Society Stamford, CFA Society Providence; along with students, mentors, and professors from 12 Universities attended the virtual kickoff meeting.
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual, global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis. Each Research Challenge season leverages the efforts of over 140 CFA member societies, 3,500 member volunteers, and more than 5,000 students from over 1,000 universities. Local competitions (organized by societies) lead up to regional finals; regional champions then convene for the global final.
During the meeting representatives from all three societies provided the students with a brief overview of each society. Speakers were: Rich Razza, CFA, President of CFA Society Hartford; Victoria Konstantinova, CFA, University Relations for CFA Society Stamford; and Justin Maistrow, President of CFA Society Providence.
Victoria Konstantinova, CFA, University Relations for CFA Society Stamford then shared with the students an overview of the CFA Charter. Michelle Rotondo, CFA, Education and Research Challenge for CFA Society Hartford provided detailed information about the Research Challenge competition and provided a timeline for the students.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the subject company. This year's subject company is Hexcel Corporation. Hexcel is a global leader in manufacturing advanced composite materials for the commercial aerospace, space and defense, and industrial markets. Kurt Goddard, Vice President Investor Relations for Hexcel Corporation, provided a overview of the company and shared a presentation with the students. Hexcel is based in Stamford, CT.
The following is a list of 15 teams from the 12 participating schools:
- Central CT State University Team A
- Central CT State University Team B
- Connecticut College
- Eastern Connecticut State University
- Providence College A
- Providence College B
- Providence College C
- Rhode Island College
- Sacred Heart University
- Southern Connecticut State University
- Trinity College
- UConn Stamford
- UConn Storrs
- University of New Haven
- Yale School of Management/Yale College
To view all the information on this year's local CFA Institute Research Challenge, click here.