Equity Funds

The Undergraduate Equity Fund (UEF) and Aztec Equity Fund (AEF) are student-managed investment funds at San Diego State University.

Students are responsible for specific industry sectors within the S&P500 and are expected to learn how to analyze their industries, evaluate companies within their industries and build financial and valuation models to select stocks while understanding and considering the broader macroeconomic backdrop and market conditions. The fund's investment policy reflects the top-down approach of the CFA Institute.

The fund's goal is to outperform the S&P500 index with a combination of stock picking, sector weighting and some hedging strategies. Each student is assigned an industry sector, such as Technology or Health Care. The student's goal is to learn the primary drivers of the industry, determine the key metrics that drive stock performance, and ultimately to outperform the broader industry with his/her stock picks. Faculty advisors lead the students in determining security selection, sector weights and hedging strategies.

Students make weekly oral presentations on a variety of topics including: the macroeconomic climate, industry analysis, earnings results and stock selections. Decisions to add or remove portfolio names are made by students with the oversight of faculty advisors. Transactions are executed by the faculty advisors.

Students interested in careers in investment management, Wall Street or investment banking would be among those ideally suited for this class. Potential careers in these sectors are discussed and resume enhancing coursework such as securities research, stock selection and portfolio management experience with real capital at risk is emphasized.

The class is limited to between five to ten students who are selected based on experience and expected contributions. Classes are held in the Financial Markets Lab where students have access to Bloomberg Terminals – giving students hands-on access to one of the industry's premier analytical tools. Classes are held weekly and each student can receive 3 credits over one semester.

The Undergraduate Equity Fund is a student-managed investment fund at San Diego State University that manages over $95,000 in capital. Eligible students should have taken or be concurrently enrolled in Finance 327 at the time of joining the fund.

Founder

Dr. Mehdi Salehizadeh

Founding Donors

Kevin Reiners
Steven Coslik
Stephen Cushman
Mark McMillin
Steve Nielander
David Menashe
Mike Perry
Laura Stansberry

The Aztec Equity Fund is a graduate-level student-managed investment fund at San Diego State University that manages over $165,000 in capital. Eligible students should have taken or be concurrently enrolled in Finance 651 at the time of joining the fund.

Founding Member

Christopher McCaman
Andrew Mark Mestyanek
Jeanne Peters
Dr. Tong Kim (Faculty)