COBI’s Student Managed Portfolio to celebrate 10th anniversary

The UT College of Business and Innovation will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Student Managed Portfolio class during the 2016 Homecoming.

The Student Managed Portfolio (SMP) course provides students with active portfolio management training utilizing an endowed portfolio. In this hands-on learning experience consistent with the university’s goals of experiential learning, students use state-of-the-art Bloomberg terminals in the John B. and Lillian E. Neff Trading Room. The UT Foundation Investment Committee exercises its fiduciary obligation to oversee and question the SMP student managers and analysts on their performance and investment process. 

SMP was proposed by COBI Dean Thomas Gutteridge to the UT Foundation in 2005 and was established in August 2006 with $1 million of UT Foundation funds, with the first quarterly presentation to the University of Toledo Foundation Investment Committee in November, 2006.  

The investment fund is currently worth approximately $1.7 million.

Student Portfolio Managers apply equity selection analysis and portfolio risk analytics, with fiduciary responsibilities. The Student Managed Portfolio invests in large-cap domestic securities within the Russell 1000 Value Index investors using “bottom-up” fundamental analysis in the style of John Neff. Mr. Neff is an alumnus of the UT College of Business and a generous benefactor of the college, which has named the Neff Department of Finance and the Neff Trading Room in honor of John B. and Lillian Neff.

Neff Trading Room

“We look primarily at stocks with relatively low Price/Earnings and Price/Book ratios, strong dividend yield, superior relationship of total return to Price/Earnings paid, solid financial statements, and strong long term growth prospects, among other factors,” noted Dr. Ozcan Sezer, Chair of the COBI Finance Department. “The fund's Investment Policy Statement (IPS) outlines the parameters that we must adhere to.”

The 10 Year Reunion of the Student Managed Portfolio (SMP) program will take place on Saturday, October 15 in Libbey Hall immediately following the Homecoming football game, at approximately 6:30 p.m. with heavy hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.

The cost is $65 per person, of which $25 is tax deductible as a contribution to the SMP Fund.

Guests at the celebration will include:

Gene Collins, ('68, '71), Executive in Residence in Finance (retired); Dr. Gary Insch, Dean of the College of Business and Innovation; Dr. Ozcan Sezer, Chair of the John B. and Lillian E. Neff Department of Finance; Dr. Marc Simpson, John B. and Lillian E. Neff Endowed Chair in Finance; Dr. Gary Moore, and Dr. Linda E. Boyer (retired).

“We are excited to have the opportunity to gather to share UT memories and reconnect with fellow SMP alums,” Dr. Sezer said.   “Many students know their classmates. However, we want to use the 10-year celebration so each SMP alum will get to know their fellow SMP alumni from different years for stronger relationships and an enhanced sense of pride.”

“The Student Managed Portfolio class has helped tremendously in my career,” noted Steven R. Plummer, Principal,  The Trust Company.  “The incredible knowledge and experience gained from the class gave me a head start in regards to a career as an investment analyst and portfolio manager. Employers always commented that they wish such a class existed when they went to college.”

As for the future, Dr. Sezer explained that “We’re considering a major renovation of the trading room. Also, we are going to accept students who will begin in both the spring and fall semesters who are willing to manage the portfolio for two consecutive semesters, as opposed to students who only begin in the fall semester, as it has been structured.”

Individuals who are interested in attending the 10 Year SMP Reunion can register online here: https://www.utfoundation.org/foundation/home/Events_Alumni.aspx