finance and economics department - financial and stock quotes and arrow on grid background
Finance and Economics Department

Student Managed Investment Portfolio

The main purpose of this course (FIN 357) is the management of a portfolio worth about $400,000 sponsored by the University. The students who manage the SMIP engage in direct contact with leading financial analysts and hedge fund managers. The students conduct research on individual companies, use Bloomberg terminals and stock analysis packages, and create PowerPoint proposals to recommend purchases and sales. The class then votes to approve or reject the recommendation.

What's unique about this course?

Students who took the course enjoyed the "real world exposure to equity research and fund management" and "hands-on experience." They also enjoyed beating the S&P, Dow, and NASDAQ indices. The course offers opportunities for students:

  • Compete against 140 other SMIPS at the Global Asset Management Education Forum held in March and sponsored by Quinnipiac University and NASDAQ-OMX. In 2022, the Pace University team won 2nd Place in the Undergraduate Core Portfolio Competition at the Quinnipiac University GAME Forum.
  • Prepare for a career in equity analysis
  • Learn how to use stock analysis packages, such as Bloomberg terminals, Stock-Val, and Telerate
  • Apply real-world knowledge towards investment decisions
  • Attend various conferences and events
  • Engage in direct contact with leading financial analysts and hedge fund managers

Fund Performance

  • For the 2020-2021 reporting period, the SMIP was up 30.14%, comparing favorably to the S&P 500's gain for this time period. This represents the portfolio's best year since 2013 in percentage terms, and its best year ever in dollar gain.
  • In 2021, the SMIP generated a $70,961 distribution to the Lubin Scholarship Fund to help underwrite the scholastic achievements of deserving candidates.
  • For the 2019-2020 reporting period, the SMIP was up 26% compared to the S&P 500's 16% gain. In the last decade the SMIP outperformed the S&P 500 by 13%.
  • For the 2018 calendar year, when the major stock indices were all down, the SMIP outperformed the S&P 500 by 3%.
  • For the 2017 calendar year, SMIP returned 28.4%, outperforming its benchmark indices: the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) 25.1%, the S&P 500 19.4%, and the Nasdaq Composite 26.8%.

Permission of the instructor is required to register for this course. All majors are welcome. Interested students should come in to see Professor Niso Abuaf or contact him at nabuaf@pace.edu, (212) 618-6414.

To expedite the process, submit a brief application with the following information:

  • Other courses you have taken that prepare you for this course
  • Your life/career details that make this course a good fit for you
  • What you want to take away from the course

For more information about the course, please contact Professor Niso Abuaf at nabuaf@pace.edu.