Top universities to compete in CFA Institute Research Challenge Local Finals

CFA Society Sri Lanka President Aruna Perera

Research Challenge Committee Chair Samalka Athuraliya

CFA Society Sri Lanka announced the selection of the top four teams for the local finals of the CFA Institute Research Challenge competition.

Following an extensive grading process, CFA Society Sri Lanka is pleased to announce that teams from the University of Kelaniya, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and two teams from the University of Colombo have qualified for the local finals, scheduled for 27 February.

Each university team consisting of five students, will present their analysis and buy/sell/hold recommendations on the subject company, BPPL Holdings PLC, to a panel of distinguished judges from the investment community. Their presentation is the culmination of months of research, an interview with the company management, and training, under the supervision of their faculty advisor and a dedicated industry mentor. 

The winning team of the local finals will advance to the sub-regional competition and have a chance to progress to the regional and global competitions thereafter.

This year, the CFA Institute Global Research Challenge competition will be held on 3 May.

CFA Society Sri Lanka President Aruna Perera said that this time witnessed the highest number of teams participating in this annual educational initiative, which promotes best practices in equity research among the next generation of analysts through hands-on mentoring and intensive training in company analysis and presentation skills. The teams that participated represented both private and public universities – the University of Kelaniya, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University of Wayamba, University of Colombo, University of Moratuwa, University of Jaffna, University of Peradeniya, Royal Institute of Colombo and Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology.

Research Challenge Committee Chair Samalka Athuraliya said: “The response from universities continues to be very encouraging. The ultimate objective of the CFA Institute Research Challenge is to promote best practices in equity investment research, which includes financial analysis, ESG, and risk assessment and valuation; also aims to inculcate in students other critical skills such as report writing and public speaking. I look forward to seeing the top four teams present at the final event and wish them all the very best.”

This year, the initial round of the CFA Institute Research Challenge hosted by CFA Society Sri Lanka was sponsored by the Society’s Platinum sponsor, the Colombo Stock Exchange, Silver sponsors, Acuity Partners, CAL, First Capital, NDB Capital Holdings, Senfin and Uzabase, Knowledge Partner, Acuity Knowledge Partners, and event sponsor, Kaplan Schweser.