This Smeal College of Business student team, made up of lead analysts from the Nittany Lion Fund, took first place at the 2013 Rutgers University Stock Pitch Competition. From left to right: Jordan Freed, Nathan Rubinstein, Emily Zheng, and Matthew Manocchio. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- A team of four Penn State Smeal College of Business students took first place at the Rutgers University Stock Pitch Competition, held March 30 at the Rutgers New Brunswick campus.
Teammates Jordan Freed, Nathan Rubinstein, Emily Zheng and Matthew Manocchio are all lead analysts from the student-managed investment fund, the Nittany Lion Fund LLC.
The competition, sponsored by the Little Investment Bankers of Rutgers University, Clear Harbor Asset Management and J. P. Morgan, consisted of short-sell only recommendations.
“We’re fortunate enough to have the opportunity to sharpen our analytical skills and present the abilities the Nittany Lion Fund has instilled in us,” said Manocchio. “This weekend provided us the chance to utilize our skills in a professional setting and learn from others while doing so.”
Competing against teams from Virginia Tech, New York University, Georgetown University, Carnegie Mellon University and more, the Penn State team won the $1,500 first-place prize.
“The Rutgers competition was a great experience that taught us a lot about shorting,” said Freed. “It was also a unique opportunity to show some of the other schools that have a strong presence on Wall Street that Penn State students can compete with the best.”
The event also included a workshop from Ben Axler, managing partner of Prescience Point Research, and multiple networking opportunities with professionals from firms like Cadian Capital Management, JAC Capital, Merrill Lynch, Strategic Value Partners, UBS and more.
Smeal Media Relations