Investment Portfolio Competition

Learn investment fundamentals through hands-on portfolio management

Competition Scenario

A state government that has heavily relied on oil and gas for revenue is working to diversify its economy by developing industries such as technology and renewable energy. To support these initiatives, a local investment advisory group has been tasked with creating a diversified fund that benefits communities across the state.

To bring in innovative perspectives, the group has hired you and your team as external portfolio consultants for a two-month trial period. Your job is to design, manage, and defend an investment portfolio, demonstrating your ability to grow capital responsibly and strategically.

You will be given $1 million in virtual funds to invest across stocks, bonds, ETFs, and a limited allocation to derivatives.

Competition Status
Competition has concluded

The competition trading period ended on November 6th. Final reports were due November 13th. Winners will be announced at the November 20th Women in Finance Panel.

Portfolio Performance

Prize Structure

1
$3,000
1st Place
2
$2,000
2nd Place
3
$1,000
3rd Place

How to Participate

Step 1: Register Your Team
  • Each team may consist of between 2-5 people
  • All participants must be undergraduate or graduate students enrolled at UNM
  • Registration deadline was September 15th
  • Upon registration, each student receives an invitation to join the Canvas course
Step 2: Create Your Portfolio

Interactive Brokers Setup:

  • On September 16, registered teams received an invitation to create a paper account
  • Enter your Team Name (not personal name) in the account information
  • Choose the paper account to log in

Portfolio Requirements:

  • Begin with $1 million in virtual cash allocation
  • Invest in: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, and Derivatives
  • Short-selling is NOT allowed
  • Derivatives limit: Maximum 10% of portfolio value at inception (cannot be adjusted after)
  • Portfolio formation deadline was September 22nd

Trading Rules:

  • Teams may trade throughout the competition (except derivatives)
  • Derivative positions must remain at their initial allocation
  • Portfolio performance monitored until November 6th
Step 3: Initial Report

Each team explains its investment strategy and discloses the composition of the portfolio.

The report should address:

  • Reasons for security selection
  • Diversification consideration
  • Risk and returns analysis

Due: October 2nd (submit on Canvas)

Step 4: Final Report

Each team reports the final portfolio value as of November 6th.

The final report should include:

  • Retrospective assessment of investment strategy
  • Macroeconomic or firm-specific events that influenced security valuation
  • Suggestions for improved performance

Due: November 13th (submit on Canvas)

Step 5: Evaluation

Teams will be evaluated based on the following:

50%
Portfolio Performance
50%
Initial and Final Reports
  • Reports will be assessed by Finance faculty members
  • Assessment rubrics will be provided
  • Winning teams will be awarded on November 20th

Competition Timeline

Sept 11th
Completed
Competition Begins
Investment Portfolio Competition officially launches
Sept 15th
Completed
Team Registration Deadline
Register your team (up to 4 students per team)
Sept 16th
Completed
Interactive Brokers Invitation
Registered teams receive invitation to create paper account
Sept 22nd
Completed
Portfolio Formation Deadline
Complete initial portfolio allocation with $1 million virtual funds
Oct 2nd
Completed
Initial Report Due
Submit investment strategy and portfolio composition report
Nov 6th
Completed
Portfolio Closure
Competition trading period ends, final portfolio values recorded
Nov 13th
Completed
Final Report Due
Submit retrospective assessment and performance analysis
Nov 20th
Completed
Winners Announced
Prizes awarded at Women in Finance Panel

Rules & Requirements

  • Open to all UNM undergraduate and graduate students
  • Teams must be between 2-5 people
  • Teams of up to 4 students each
  • Every person on the team must attend at least one meeting
  • Every team must have at least one person attend each meeting
  • Virtual portfolio simulation using Interactive Brokers paper trading
  • $1 million in virtual starting capital
  • Invest in stocks, bonds, ETFs, and limited derivatives
  • Short-selling is NOT allowed
  • Maximum 10% allocation to derivatives at inception (cannot be adjusted after)
  • Winners determined by 50% portfolio performance + 50% report quality

Useful Resources