Interior of Greenleaf Trust Trading Room filled with students at computers.

Student Managed Investment Fund

Do you envision learning the intricacies of managing investment portfolios for organizations? Here is an opportunity to do just that even before you graduate. Since 2009, the Western Michigan University Foundation has selected the Student Managed Investment Fund class as a large cap manager of WMU Foundation Funds. With hands-on training, the initial project has evolved into a great opportunity for students to gain real-world experience and manage approximately $2.6 million.

 

What you will experience

Undergraduate and graduate students will have the opportunity to:

  • Manage a portfolio of approximately $2.6 million of WMU Foundation money. 
  • Get hands-on experience in fundamental research and money management.
  • Demonstrate skills that impress employers and make you more marketable in finance fields.

Investment approach

  • 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.
  • Develop your communications skills to persuade your classmates to buy, sell or hold.
  • Report your investment results to the WMU Foundation Investment Committee.

Class information

Admission to the course is by application only. Performance in previous coursework and statement of professional goals are considered for admission.

  • 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.
  • Enrollment is limited to between 10 and 15 students.
  • You are encouraged to take the class for two or more semesters.

Instructor

  • Focuses on helping students develop and implement fixed income portfolio strategies.
  • Establishes and implements fixed income strategy for client portfolios.
  • Generates economic and capital markets research.
  • Uses trade investment grade fixed income securities including taxable and tax-exempt instruments utilizing Bloomberg, ECNs and negotiated trading.

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