Your average student organization doesn’t require a formal application, an interview, or twice-weekly classes for that matter. And when you join, it probably will not refer to you as a “research analyst.”
You will find this all in the Atkins Investment Group, a student organization within UNH’s Whittemore School of Business and Economics (WSBE). The requirements are understandable, considering there’s $40,000 at stake.
The Atkins Investment Group provides a hands-on opportunity for students interested in the world of investing by giving them the funding to do some of their own. The 40 students that comprise the group manage an investment portfolio of approximately $40,000, the product of a donation from alumnus Gerald F. Atkins in 2004. The group is split into 10 sectors, based on the Global Industry Classification System, which classifies companies into categories ranging from healthcare to technology to utilities. Each sector within Atkins consists of a leader along and two research analysts.
And all the investments they’re making are real.
“The cool thing about the group is that this is what the professional money managers are doing, just on a smaller scale,” said Ben Collins, president of the group.
The group meets twice each week for class, which begins with a quick review of the portfolio by the various sectors. Presentations are then conducted by two of the sectors on how they believe the portfolio could be improved, in relation to holdings within their sector.
“They’re usually very elaborate presentations on companies currently held and others they’re proposing we purchase,” said Conor O’Keefe, portfolio manager for the group.
The presentations require rigorous research. Potential investments are evaluated both qualitatively, looking at things such as the company’s business model and competitive model, and quantitatively, which includes ratio comparison and financial statement analysis.
Following presentations, the class takes a vote on whether to take the recommended actions, which requires a majority.
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