The CFA Institute Research Challenge is a finance analysis competition organized annually on the international level. Representing Italy this year were Luiss students Pierluigi Cenni, Lorenzo De Spirito, Fabio Eleni, Federico Paoletti and Gianluca Pepe.
The Luiss team made it to the podium, taking third place, the best results for a debut team in the history of the competition. The team’s performance is a point of pride for the University and a legacy for future students competing in the Challenge. “As this was the first time Luiss participated, we were at a disadvantage. We couldn’t rely on guidance from previous participants. This turned out to be an advantage though because it allowed us to innovate and experiment with new techniques that had never been used in previous years. We were able to put in practice what we learned at Luiss,” explains Fabio.
“We learned so much from this experience, especially how to work as a team to reach a common goal,” states Pierluigi. “Our strength was definitely our team: we have a variety of skills, academically speaking, but even more so in terms of non-academic skills. Each of us had specific report writing strengths that allowed us to coordinate to reach a great result,” added Federico. Professor Edoardo Venosi states “I am extremely satisfied with the team’s results, the quality of their work and their dedication to their final project. The team even earned the University special mention from the judges, all institutional investors for large Italian and foreign companies, underlining that their performance was among the best ever for a debut team.”
Looking back on their time at Luiss, the team agrees that the environment and the network inside the University are excellent. “Luiss has a pleasant environment that allows us to work to the best of our ability, not only in our studies but in all the extracurricular opportunities available,” explains Lorenzo. Gianluca has particularly fond memories of the people he has met and the relationships he has developed at Luiss, especially with the CFA Research Challenge team. “I was pleasantly surprised by how prepared, hardworking and ambitious my teammates were.”
The team has plenty of advice for students interested in a similar path. To Pierluigi, it’s important to “participate in student life and attend in all of the Banking events that the University offers.” Lorenzo, on the other hand, says: “Don’t be shy, get to know as many people as possible, even if it’s a bit complicated at the moment.” Gianluigi also encourages new students to take advantage of all the opportunities offered at Luiss, from international programs to talks with businesses and banks, and all the extracurricular activities and competitions that Luiss participates in.”
Regarding the future, the students would all like to continue growing through stimulating work experiences and put to work all they’ve learned thus far, including from the CFA Research Challenge, to reach their career goals.