UST Finance Students Compete on Global Stage in CFA Research Challenge

A select team of students from the University of St. Thomas' Cameron School of Business has officially launched its bid for the FY 2025-2026 Texas Region CFA (Certified Financial Analyst) Institute Research Challenge, a prestigious competition often referred to as the "Investment Olympics" for university students.

The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis. The competition tests students' analytical, valuation, report writing and presentation skills, challenging them to take on the role of real-world research analysts. The 2025-2026 cycle involves more than 6,000 students from more than1,000 universities worldwide.

Representing UST, the team is comprised ofTeam Captain Chih Jung Ting, MSF; Vice-Captain Daria Kostyukova, BBA/MSF; Reginald Paolo Laudato, BBA/MSF; Simon Wong, BBA in Finance; and Anjali Sebastian, BBA in Finance.

The team of five students has been selected to conduct an exhaustive equity analysis of a target company, competing against top-tier universities from around the Texas area.

"Taking part in the CFA Research Challenge has been the most intense and rewarding experience of my academic career," said Chih Jung Ting, team captain. "We aren't just reading case studies anymore-we are digging into real balance sheets, forecasting real economic shifts, and learning how to defend our ideas under pressure. It's given us a true taste of what it means to be an analyst."

The team is supported by Department Chair of Economics and Finance Dr. Joe Ueng, CFA, and faculty advisor Dr. Dan Hu. Assisting the team was industry mentor Matt Caire, CFA, CFP®, CMT from Vaughan Nelson, a seasoned professional who provides guidance on the intricacies of equity research.

"Our participation in the CFA Research Challenge is a testament to the caliber of our students and the strength of our curriculum," said Dr. Ueng. "By applying advanced financial theory to a live market scenario, our students demonstrate that they are not just learners, but emerging professionals ready to contribute to the global financial community. We are incredibly proud of their dedication to academic excellence."

Dr. Sidika Gülfem Bayram, the Cullen Foundation Endowed Chair of Finance and UST associate professor of Finance said participating in the CFA Research Challenge this year creates a pivotal moment for UST students.

"I'm impressed to see our students apply their curriculum knowledge to meet the depth and vast nature of the analysis required in such a fierce competition," Dr. Bayram said. "I'm so proud of the effort the students put into the challenge."

This year, the team has been tasked with analyzing Green Brick Partners, a publicly traded company in the consumer cyclical sector. During the past several months, the students have dedicated more than 150 hours to conducting a deep-dive analysis of the company's business model and industry position, interviewing company management and financial experts, building complex financial models to determine the stock's intrinsic value, and compiling an "Initiation of Coverage" report with a buy, sell or hold recommendation.

"Participating in the CFA Research Challenge allows our students to bridge the gap between classroom theory and the fast-paced world of investment management," said Dr. Hu. "It demands a level of rigor and professional ethics that prepares them for the highest levels of the finance industry."

The team will presented its findings and defended its recommendation before a panel of judges from leading investment firms at the CFA Society local final in late February. Winners of the local competition will advance to the subregional and regional rounds, with the goal of reaching the global finals in May 2026.