HSE University-St Petersburg Team Takes Third Place at International Competition on Investment Analysis

Students of the School of Economics and Management took part in the international competition CFA Regional Societies Research Challenge which was held in Abu Dhabi (UAE). At this competition, the team from HSE University-St Petersburg represented Russia and took third place as a result.

Photo courtesy of HSE University-St Petersburg students

The competition gathered nine teams from countries of the MENA region as well as a team from HSE University-St Petersburg which represented Russia there. The contestants had to conduct Equity Research—an analysis of a company based on which investors could make a decision on what to do with the equity shares further: to buy, to hold or to sell. Then, the participants presented the report on their work to the international jury.

The contestants analysed companies operating in their countries. HSE University-St Petersburg students prepared and presented their report on the company 'Samolet', one of the largest real-estate developers in Russia. The team consulted with Vladislav Afanasev, a professor at the Department of Finance, and Ivan Skavysh, board member of 'CFA Association Russia'. 

As a result, the team of SEM students took the third place. Among the winners were:

— Ivan Bondarenko, student of the programme 'International Business and Management';

— Sergey Razmanov, student of the Bachelor's programme 'Economics';

— Stepan Toropov, students of the Bachelor's programme 'Economics';

— Mark Shumilov, student of the Master's programme 'Finance';

— Ekaterina Shchetinina, graduate of the Bachelor's programme 'Economics'. 

In 2023, this team won at the Russian stage of the competition 'CFA Russia Challenge' in the investment analysis of companies.

Ekaterina Shchetinina, graduate of the Bachelor's programme 'Economics'

'CFA Regional Societies Research Challenge' is one of the most interesting and prestigious competitions for students in the sphere of finance. The result of this competition is supposed to be a report for which a comprehensive analysis is conducted: from the market to ESG indicators, besides, a model to assess a company is created. Consequently, this competition helps to put into practice all the variety of knowledge and technical skills gained during the studies.

The event went well! Everything was organised at the highest level. It was really pleasant to dive into the international environment and communicate with participants from other countries. The first stage of the competition was interesting and memorable but the most demanding and exciting was the work on the report. But a good team can reach any goal: we did a lot of work and were happy that the jury duly appreciated it.

Ivan Bondarenko, student of the programme 'International Business and Management'

'CFA Regional Societies Research Challenge' is known and respected in the professional environment; participation in this competition can be an advantage in hiring. Just as importantly, during this competition, the participants make new contacts which can help them in building and developing their careers.

I truly liked the competition. The organisers and other participants were very kind to us. Our team got a very valuable experience when presented our research to the international jury. In the end, we took the prize-winning place which was very pleasing! But what was even more pleasant, I managed to expand the contact base and improve my professional skills. This is why I participated in the competition.

Ivan Skavysh, board member of 'CFA Association Russia'

Participation in the regional stage of 'CFA Russia Challenge' is already a quality mark. A prize-winning place at the international stage can even be given the same status as a professional award: the participants' works were assessed by recognised financial analysts from all over the world and investment experts. The Russian team performed very decently. It can even be called the discovery of the year: it is the first time when a team from our country has participated in this stage of the competition. All the jury highlighted the depth of the study and the quality of presentation which cannot but rejoice. The great performance of the Russian team not only showed a high level of our experts but also made new professional contacts with associations in the Middle East. Following the meeting, we have planned to develop joint projects in the sphere of finance and investments.

'CFA Association Russia' annually holds the competition in investment analysis of companies for bachelor's and master's students. Participation in competitions helps to learn how to analyse the investment attractiveness of companies.