The SMIFC 2024 conference competition features two distinct projects:

Project 1: 2024 SMIFC Poster Session

Date and Venue: Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 3:40 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency McCormick, first floor, Lincoln Park Room

Overview:

• The poster session allows SMIFC teams to showcase their SMIF performance during 2023.
• Teams will be judged on their fund's performance, visual presentation, and engagement with judges.

Participation:

• Teams must email Tarek Zaher (Tarek.zaher@indstate.edu) by September 20, 2024.
• Submit a spreadsheet of the fund's time-weighted rate of return (TWRR) and 12 monthly statements of the fund from the brokerage house that hosts the fund.
• Teams can use 48 x 36-inch tri-fold boards for posters. Bring the posters with you.

Evaluation:

• Sharpe Ratio Performance (30%): Teams ranked by risk-adjusted return.
• Visual Presentation (35%): Assessed on creativity and clarity.
• Presentation to Judges (35%): Engagement and ability to explain poster content.

Poster Content:

• Highlight SMIF performance, history, investment policy, strategies, and student roles.

Awards:

• First Place: $1,000
• Second Place: $800
• Third Place: $700

Project 2: Analyzing the Performance of Nvidia (Ticker: NVDA)

2024 Paper Presentations

Date and Venue: Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 3:40 pm – 5:30 pm
Hyatt Regency McCormick, first floor, Grant Park Room

Overview:

• Teams analyze Nvidia’s financial performance using various data sources and financial tools.
• Up to two teams (2-3 students each) from each school can participate.

Data Sources:

• Macroeconomic and Industry Data: Federal Reserve, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Board, World Bank, IMF, PWC, Deloitte.
• Company-Specific Data: EDGAR, Yahoo Finance, Google Finance, Amazon's website, Morningstar.

Analysis Questions:

1. Business Niches (10%): Identify Nvidia’s unique business areas.
2. Diversification (15%): Assess Nvidia’s exposure to economic, financial, and political changes.
3. Stock Performance (15%): Compare Nvidia’s stock performance to market indices and peers over the past five years.
4. Financial Strengths and Weaknesses (30%): Use financial ratios and other statistics to identify Nvidia’s strengths and weaknesses.
5. Intrinsic Value (30%): Determine if Nvidia’s stock is overvalued or undervalued and
6. provide investment recommendations.

Participation:

• Teams must email Tarek Zaher (Tarek.zaher@indstate.edu) by September 15, 2024.
• Submit a spreadsheet of the fund's time-weighted rate of return (TWRR) and a statement from the brokerage house.

Awards:

• First Place: $1,000
• Second Place: $800
• Third Place: $700