Finance Program: Stock Pitch Competition

The Department of Finance invites Kansas State University students to put their stock analysis skills to the test with $11,000 in prize money on the line in the new K-State Gates Capital Management Stock Pitch Competition. To register your team, please email the names of team members to bhjohnson@ksu.edu by Friday, March 8, 2024.

The 2024 competition is now accepting team registrations until Friday, March 8, 2024. To get a feel for the competition, please watch the 2021 competition using the link below!

Goal of the Competition

The goal of the competition is to create campus-wide interest in stock investing and encourage students to further develop their stock analysis skills.

General Overview

Teams will source and research their best stock investment idea. The analysis will need to consider both the qualitative (competitive advantage, management, corporate governance, etc.) and quantitative (valuation, ratio analysis, etc.) aspects of the company. Based on the written reports, the top five teams will be selected to present their plans to a panel of judges comprised of investment professionals. A minimum of $11,000 in prize money will be awarded. This is a great opportunity for students to develop both their analytical and presentation skills while interacting with investment professionals.

Requirements to Participate

• Each team will consist of 2-4 students.
• The competition is open to all K-State students from any major or college.

Registration

• Teams are required to register by completing the team registration form
• Registrations are due by end of day, Friday, March 8, 2024.
  • To register your team, please email the names of team members to bhjohnson@ksu.edu by Friday, March 8, 2024.
• Upon registration, team members will be added to a Canvas site with instructional videos and examples.

Subject Company Requirements

• $2 billion market cap
• Stock price of at least $5
• US-listed companies only
• Pitch can be long (buy) or short (sell)

Initial Competition - Written Analysis

• Each team will write a stock analysis paper consisting of:
  • Cover page with company name and each team member’s name
  • Written analysis of the company (business, management, industry analysis, competitive advantages, valuation, etc.) 5 page limit, double spaced with normal margins.
  • An appendix to support as necessary. No limit on appendix pages but only the written analysis will be graded
  • Reference page
• Teams may use sources such as the internet, brokerage reports, and non-faculty business professionals as resources. Please cite all sources appropriately
• Primary research (first-hand information from employees, competitors, customers, etc.) is strongly encouraged
• Written analysis must be submitted electronically to Hardy Johnson (bhjohnson@ksu.edu) by Sunday, March 31. Late submissions, including those at 5:01 p.m., will not be considered.
  • Before submission of your written analysis
    • Cover page should have company name only - no team members for anonymity
    • 5 page limit
    • Submission should be sent in PDF format

The written analysis will initially be graded by faculty to determine the best 12 papers. Those 12 papers will then be graded by investment professionals to determine the five teams for the oral competition.

Judging the Written Report

• The written report will be judged using this rubric:
  • 20% Originality
  • 30% Qualitative analysis (competitive advantage, management, governance, etc.)
  • 30% Quantitative analysis (valuation, ratio analysis)
  • 20% Uniqueness of analysis (primary research)

Final Competition

Date: Friday, April 19, 2024
Time: 1:30 PM
Location: College of Business, BB 1088 Lecture Hall

• Finals will be held live with a panel of industry professionals
• The Top 5 teams will make a 10-minute limit presenation followed by a 10-minute limit Q&A.
• Students and community will be welcomed to attend the event

Prizes

• 1st place will be awarded $5,000
• 2nd place will be awarded $3,000
• 3rd place will be awarded $2,000
• 4th place will be awarded $500
• 5th place will be awarded $500
• Top freshmen-only team will be awarded $500