“The research challenge is a great experience for students,” said Guillermo Rodriguez Gonzalez-Valadez, a CFA charter holder, a CFA Society Miami board member, and head of Latin America for WisdomTree Asset Management, who coordinated the contest’s Florida finals. “They do exactly the same work that a sell-side equity research analyst does with an initial coverage of a company—they are assigned a company, do preliminary research, talk, and interview management.”
Over the course of several months, student teams from across Florida researched and analyzed Watsco, Inc., the largest distributor of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration equipment, and related parts and supplies in the United States. Teams then submitted a 20-page report that included their recommendation to either buy, sell, or hold the company’s stock.
The competition brought together teams of students from Barry University, Florida State University, and Stetson University. After assessing teams’ financial analysis, valuation methodologies, ESG (environmental, social, and governance) considerations, and presentation skills, judges Raoul Rodriguez, wealth manager at Congress Wealth Management; Victor Hugo, founder and CEO at Trust Beyond Family Office; and Brad Donovan, who runs long short book at Crestline Investors, announced the top performing teams.
Team ’Canes 6, comprised of undergraduate business students Saloni Radadia, Aisha Aamir, Daniella Sucre, and Harsh Shah placed second, following Stetson’s team who will move on to the sub-regional phase of the contest for the southeastern United States. Team ’Canes 4, comprised of finance graduate students Guangxin Ou, Taiyu Shen, Ruiwei Liu, Xiaokun Xiong, and Ignacio Muñoz de Cote Solano-López placed third.
Although the ’Canes teams did not emerge as first-place winners, the students gained invaluable experience in financial analysis, team collaboration, and public speaking. The competition provided a unique opportunity for students to apply what they learned in the classroom to a real-world scenario.
“Participating in this challenge allowed us to delve into the world of equity research, something we were all familiar with but did not know a lot of detail about,” said Team ’Canes 6. “It was an opportunity to be in the shoes of a research analyst and experience what they do on a day-to-day basis. Our biggest takeaway was learning how to synthesize valuable market research into a concise report that helps investors with their decision-making process. Through the competition, we were able to improve our collaborative and analytical skills, learn how to manage our time effectively, and build connections with industry professionals. Being finance-focused students, we will always cherish this incredible learning experience, as well as being part of an amazing team that complements each other so well.”
The teams also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to network with professionals in the finance industry, who served as judges for the competition.
"The opportunity to participate in such a big competition, to meet and interact with professionals in the industry and students from other schools was one of the best parts of the competition," said Muñoz de Cote Solano-López of Team ’Canes 4, who are all enrolled in the Master of Science in Finance program. "We learned so much from them, and it was great to get their feedback on our investment analysis. I also learned a lot about my team members and their culture which gave me a more global perspective.”
This year’s contest will culminate in the global finals to be held in May upon the conclusion of sub-regional and regional phases. Though Miami Herbert’s current participation has ended, team members reflect on a rewarding experience filled with intensive research, networking opportunities, and mentoring by industry professionals.
“The best part of the competition was the ability to connect with other students and their mentors,” said Team ’Canes 6. “We were able to meet students from the different schools represented and learned about each of their journeys as part of this competition. Participating in the challenge certainly served as a valuable network-building experience.”
"We are extremely proud of our students and their dedication to this competition," said Academic Director of Real Estate Programs and Professor of Finance Andrea Heuson. "They demonstrated the hard work, critical thinking, and team collaboration that are essential to success in the business world. We look forward to seeing the impact they will make as they move forward in their careers."
The CFA competition kicked off last fall. At Miami Herbert, six teams vied for just two spots to be considered for the state-level finals. This internal competition was sponsored by Element Pointe, a Miami-based multi-family office and wealth management firm, that also awarded the winning teams with cash prizes.
“Element Pointe is deeply committed to supporting the next generation of finance professionals, which is why we are proud to be a sponsor of the University of Miami's CFA challenge,” said David Savir, CEO of Element Pointe and a JD/MBA alumnus. “We believe that investing in the education and development of aspiring finance professionals is crucial for the growth and sustainability of the industry. By supporting initiatives like the CFA challenge, we hope to empower students to become the best they can be and prepare them for successful careers. We are excited to see the innovative ideas that emerge from the competition and look forward to continuing our partnership with the University of Miami to help shape the future of young professionals.”
