Ateneo de Manila University Takes Top Slot in CFA Institute Research Challenge Asia-Pacific Regional and Advances to Global Final

MANILA, PHILIPPINES--(Marketwired - Mar 30, 2015) - Ateneo de Manila University of the Philippines has edged out 20 other student teams from 15 countries¹ across Asia Pacific to win the ninth CFA Institute Research Challenge Asia-Pacific Regional, and will advance to the global final in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, on April 17, 2015.

Students from the Philippines continued their string of success in recent years. This year's win marks the third time that a Philippine team has been named Asia-Pacific champion -- the most wins for any country participating in the competition. Last year, the University of the Philippines, Diliman went on to win the Global Research Challenge Final.

The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual educational initiative that promotes best practices in equity research through hands-on mentoring and intensive training in company analysis and presentation skills. After a seminfinal round, only five of 21 teams advanced to the final round held in Manila on 12 March. Aside from Ateneo de Manila, the finalists included University of Melbourne (Australia); Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development (India); National Taiwan University (Taiwan), and Thammasat University (Thailand).

The finalists presented their analysis to a panel of investment industry expert judges comprised of:

• Mohammad Shoaib, CFA, Chief Executive Officer at Al Meezan Investment Management Limited
• Brindha Gunasingham, CFA, Principal and Founder, FitzBiz Investment Analysis & Strategy
• Keith Neruda, CFA, Founder and Managing Director, Equity Pricing Strategies
• Maria Theresa Marcial Javier, SVP & Group Head- Asset Management and Trust Group at Bank of the Philippine Islands

The five Ateneo de Manila University students -- Sarah Jane Cua, Jose Enrique Fausto, Shaun Wesley Que, Jayhan Regner, and Kyle Jemmric Velasco -- won for their "buy" recommendation on Concepcion Industrial Corp. Each student received a trophy, a CFA Program scholarship, and certificate.