WMU students manage portfolio of real money
Beginning in 2009, the Western Michigan University Foundation selected the class as a large cap manager of $500,000 of WMU Foundation Funds. With hands-on training, the initial project has evolved into a great opportunity for students to gain real-world experience.
To participate you must submit an application for this class. All applications are reviewed by a committee for consideration.
Students
- Manage a portfolio of approximately $1.5 million of WMU Foundation money.
- Get hands-on experience in fundamental research and money management.
- Past participants are enthusiastic about their experience and employers are impressed.
Class information
- Available to undergraduate and graduate students for credit (three credit hours).
- Prerequisites:
- Undergraduate prerequisite is FIN 3510. You are encouraged to take FIN 4530.
- Graduate prerequisite is FIN 6120 along with a finance concentration.
- Enrollment is limited to between 10 and 15 students.
- You are encouraged to take the class for two or more semesters.
Class registration
- Admission to the course is by application only.
- Performance in previous coursework and statement of professional goals are considered for admission.
Instructor
- Focuses on developing and implementing fixed income portfolio strategies.
- Responsible for establishing and implementing fixed income strategy for client portfolios.
- Generate economic and capital markets research.
- Trade investment grade fixed income securities including taxable and tax-exempt instruments utilizing Bloomberg, ECNs and negotiated trading.
Investment approach
- You will conduct fundamental analysis and write research reports on various investments, making recommendations to buy, sell or hold.
- Present your research to classmates and the instructor.
- Decisions to buy, sell or hold are made by a vote of you and your classmates.
- Report your investment results to the WMU Foundation Investment Committee.