Students Present Investment Recommendations for Stock and Blockchain Funds

Exciting Day for Future Finance Leaders:

On December 10, the Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University buzzed with energy as . Teams of undergrad and grad students showcased months of rigorous research, pitching ideas for real endowment money that supports scholarships and financial aid. This hands-on event highlights how modern finance education blends traditional stocks with cutting-edge blockchain and crypto assets.

What Are Student-Managed Investment Funds?

Student-Managed Investment Funds (SMIFs) give finance students real-world experience managing actual portfolios. At St. John’s, these funds are part of the university’s endowment, meaning student decisions directly benefit fellow students through scholarships and aid.

• Undergraduate SMIF: Launched in 2001, valued at $8.2 million as of late November. It focuses on long-term stock investments and has delivered annualized returns of 9.1% to 10.1% since inception—matching the S&P 500’s historical performance.
• Graduate SMIF: Started in 2002, worth $4.9 million. Similar strategy with strong, consistent returns.
• Student-Managed Blockchain Fund (SMBF): The newest addition, approved in May 2022 with $100,000 seed money. Now valued at over $220,000—more than double its starting point—thanks to savvy crypto picks.

With combined assets topping $13 million, St. John’s ranks as the 15th largest student-managed fund program in the U.S., per the Center for Investment Research. Over 500 colleges run similar programs, but few integrate blockchain like St. John’s does.

The Pitch Day: High-Stakes Presentations

Held on the Manhattan campus, 22 teams delivered 10-minute pitches to a panel of faculty, admins, and alumni. Each included detailed, student-authored reports on stocks or cryptos. The audience featured top names like Dean Maciek Nowak, Ph.D., professors Aigberaodion Akhigbe, Mikael C. Bergbrant, and Zenu Sharma (blockchain fund advisor), plus Chief Investment Officer Steven Keating.

Students used pro tools in the Tobin Financial Information Lab, like FactSet and Bloomberg Terminals—industry standards that prepare them for Wall Street jobs. They analyzed portfolio performance to spot buys, sells, or holds across sectors like healthcare, media, pharma, tech, and veterinary services.

“This is a great program—an opportunity to contribute to our endowment fund while gaining real-world experience.” — Andrew Gibowski, senior finance major, pitching Oracle stock.

Recommendations split evenly between buys and sells, showing balanced thinking. One crypto team advised holding Ethereum (28% of SMBF), arguing diversification into higher-growth coins made sense.

Crypto Recommendations Amid Market Volatility

The blockchain fund’s pitches stood out, especially with crypto’s wild ride. Bitcoin hit all-time highs in October but crashed in November—its worst month in three years. Yet students saw opportunity.

• Hold Ethereum: Jacob Najera’s team noted ETH’s value but pushed for broader exposure.
• Buy Ripple (XRP): John Norton’s group called the dip a “buying opportunity” for long-term growth post-correction.

Insight: Crypto volatility teaches risk management. Recent dips mirror past cycles—Bitcoin dropped 70%+ after 2021 peaks before rebounding. Students’ optimism aligns with experts predicting blockchain’s role in finance, DeFi, and NFTs growing to trillions by 2030.

“I think the fact that the market is down makes it an excellent buying opportunity. A correction off of October’s high was probably necessary, but it sets a foundation for long-term growth.” — John Norton, senior finance major.

Courses Powering These Future Pros

Pitches capped semesters in key courses:

• Undergrad: Crypto Trading and Trading Strategies and Managing Investment Funds (B.S. in Finance).
• Grad: Quantitative Asset Management (M.S. in Finance or MBA).

Student testimonial: “This is the most valuable class I have taken at Tobin… hands-on experience… helping fellow students—that is what St. John’s is about.” — Ava Weege, senior finance major (Nexstar Media Group pitch).

Beyond the Pitches: St. John’s Experiential Learning Edge

These funds are just one piece of Tobin’s real-world focus:

• Executive-in-Residence Program: Consult for real companies and nonprofits.
• GLOBE Lending Program: Microloans to entrepreneurs in developing countries.
• Business Plan Competitions: Annual events like the James and Eileen Christmas Pitch, plus Venture & Innovation Center initiatives.

This approach builds resumes and skills. Graduates enter finance, crypto trading, and blockchain roles ready to outperform—many land jobs at top firms using the same tools they learned on.

Why Student Funds Matter in Today’s Market

Hands-on programs like these bridge theory and practice. In stocks, students nailed sectors booming post-pandemic (tech, media). In blockchain, they navigated hype and crashes, learning what pros know: crypto’s here to stay, with Ethereum upgrades and Ripple’s legal wins boosting potential.

SEO Insight for Investors: Searching “student managed investment funds performance”? St. John’s proves they rival pros. For “blockchain funds for beginners,” SMBF shows even novices can double money in volatile markets through research.

The Takeaway: Investing in the Next Generation

isn’t just an event—it’s a model for finance education. By managing real money in stocks and crypto, St. John’s students gain irreplaceable experience, deliver strong returns, and give back to their school. As blockchain evolves, expect more universities to follow suit. For aspiring investors, it’s proof: start small, research deep, and volatility is your friend.

Stay tuned for more on crypto trading strategies, student fund updates, and blockchain investment tips.

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