MISSOULA – University of Montana College of Business students received $8,787 from DA Davidson for their success in the investment firm’s Student Investing Program, which provides teams from 21 universities with $50,000 to invest in the stock market.
This investment program is designed to provide hands-on experience in finance, equity research, portfolio management, and investment topics. For many students, investing real money is their first experience, and this program allows them to manage a diverse investment portfolio for one semester under the guidance of a financial advisor and class professor. .
At UM, students analyze and discuss investment opportunities and implement their decisions as part of the university’s “$50,000 Portfolio” course. The course will be taught by Brad Cederberg, a 2006 Business School graduate and senior vice president and financial advisor at DA Davidson in Missoula. This course not only teaches students investment skills and techniques, but also fosters collaboration, teamwork, and communication among students.
The top-performing team receives a check to the university and earns half of the portfolio’s profits above 5%. This year, UM returned 40.2%, finishing fourth among 21 other universities. In comparison, the S&P 500 returned 27.1% over the same period.
In 2017, UM received the Fred Dixon Memorial Award for having the best revenue program. Five UM College of Business students were then invited to attend an event at the Davidson Institute.
The Student Investment Program was started by UM alumnus Ian B. Davidson. He started the program in 1985 at one university, but quickly expanded it to include many universities across the state and region. The program was considered highly innovative at the time of its conception and has proven invaluable for students considering a career in finance.
UM was the second institution to join the Student Investment Program in 1986. Since profit sharing payments began in 1995, DA Davidson has contributed $62,664 to UM.
