Marquette AIM and FMA Students Visited Chicago This Past Week

Over 40 Marquette Finance Students Enjoyed a Full Day in Chicago 

 Dr. David Krause, Applied Investment Management program director, (along with Bill Walker, Jeff Germanotta and Tim Brady) led a group of over 40 Marquette finance students to Chicago on Friday, December 2nd. The event, which was a joint effort of the Financial Management Association and the AIM program, was a success.  Krause said, "Thanks to the efforts of Marquette's alumni and staff in the Chicago area, the students had a wonderful experience.  This was a highlight of the fall semester for many of the students."

 Steve Marszalek, Dr. Krause,  John Bender and Jaime Rehm
at a site visit by Marquette students to Legal & General 

Following a 6:30 a.m. bus ride to Chicago, the students first had an opportunity to visit Legal & General. Thanks to the efforts of Marquette alumni including: John Bender (Chief Investments Officer), Steve Marszalek (Research Analyst, Fixed Income) and Jaime Rehm (Analyst, Investment Analytics and Reporting), the students had the opportunity to learn more about the firm’s operations in Chicago and London. They also heard from others at Legal & General on the fixed income team.

Following this visit the students will proceed to the Union League Club (65 W Jackson Blvd.) where at 10:30 they began their stock pitches. There will nearly twenty Marquette alumni who attended the pitches and were able to enjoy lunch (which was hosted by Tom Digenan of UBS). Dr. Krause said, "Unfortunately Tom Digenan had a meeting out of town during our visit - we'll catch up with him soon on campus. We are thankful for his and UBS' hospitality in helping to host the Marquette event at the Union League Club."

Here is the link to Friday's AIM pitches:  https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b996c58f08e8b00aaa936fdb2/files/AIM_Equity_Write_Ups_12_02_16_v2.pdf.

Jaclyn Godwin presented Credicorp (a Peruvian bank)

AIM Equity Presentations for Friday, December 2, 2016
Student Presenter	Sector	Company Name	Ticker
Nicholas Christman	International Financial Services	Deutsche Bank AG	DB
Casey McClelland	Consumer Discretionary	Shake Shack	SHAK
Dominic Delia	International Consumer Staples	Heineken NV ADR	HEINY
Jaclyn Godwin	International Financial Services	Credicorp	BAP
Joe Mungenast	Healthcare	Ardelyz	ARDX
Nathaniel Penn	Utilities	MDU Resources            MDU

At 11:30 the students and alumni in attendance were treated to a working lunch and had the opportunity to hear from two prominent Marquette alumni: Jim Bianco, Presidentof Bianco Research and William Heard, Founder and CIO of Heard Capital.

Jim Bianco addressing Marquette students and alumni

Jim Bianco, a frequent guest on CNBC and Bloomberg television, he has been producing highly respected daily financial market commentaries since 1990 with a circulation of hundreds of global portfolio managers and traders. His talked on Friday focused on the major trends (i.e. passive v. active investing, algorithmic trading, dark pools, and market regulation) and was well received by the students and alumni. His talk prompted many questions and the audience and Jim engaged in a lively discussion.

William Heard provides career advice to Marquette students

William Heard, a graduate of the Marquette with degrees in Finance and Real Estate – and a key supporter of the AIM program during its creation in 2004, also addressed the group. He talked about his experiences in creating Heard Capital and elaborated on his investment strategy and philosophy. William also provided the students with excellent career advice. The students and William had a useful Q&A session about personal development, work-life balance and the importance of networking.

Nick Christman pitched Deutsche Bank

Following the student stock pitches, the group proceeded to GCM Grosvenor (900 North Michigan Avenue). Grosvenor is one of the world's largest independent alternative asset management firms, with over $45 billion in assets under management and over 450 professionals. The firm offers hedge fund and private equity investment management and advisory services to clients worldwide. It is one of the world's top discretionary allocators to hedge funds and private equity investments. 

Marquette alumni at Grosvenor include Nicholas Parrish (Director) and Varun Varma (Investment Analyst). Following an overview of Grosvenor, the students will learned more about the firm’s approach to investment advisory in the hedge fund and private equity sectors - and had an opportunity to learn about internship and career opportunities. 

Nick Parish and Dr. Krause at Grosvenor in Chicago

Dr. Krause stated, “This was another successful field trip to Chicago. I know the students in AIM and the FMA club enjoyed the visit and appreciated hearing from our alumni. 'The entire day was a success and we would like to thank all of the Marquette alumni and staff in the Chicago-area for providing these opportunities to the students. It was a high-point of the fall semester and the AIM/FMA students and I are appreciative of these opportunities."