Wilfrid Laurier University Declared Kings of Equity Research in Toronto CFA
Society's Inaugural Investment Research Challenge

TORONTO , Jan. 29 /CNW/ - Toronto CFA Society crowns Wilfrid Laurier University as equity research champions in the Inaugural Investment Research Challenge.

Team members Zachary P. Cressman, Andy Huynh , Gurveer Kehal, Jason Senensky and Faculty Advisor Professor Brian F. Smith competed against nine student teams from universities across the province in the two tiered challenge. "I think that confidence was a key driver for us. We set out to win this competition from the very beginning and always believed we would accomplish our goal. Now that we're here, we will have to redefine our goals in order to achieve success in New York." said Zachary Cressman .

The Challenge is an initiative that teaches students from top area business schools best practices in equity research. As part of the competition Toronto CFA Society chose a public company, Glacier Media Inc., to be the subject of the student research reports.

The top four teams selected (Sprott School of Business, Telfer School of Management, Wilfrid Laurier University and University of Waterloo) presented their research reports to a panel of respected Toronto industry professionals. The esteemed panel included: James Donegan , CFA, OMERS, Harry Marmer, CFA, BBA, MBA, Hillsdale Investment Management, Rossa O'Reilly, CFA, MA, CIBC World Markets, Ralf Rank, CFA, Brookfield Renewable Power, Kim Shannon , CFA, MBA, Sionna Investment Managers, and Brian Shaw , CFA, MBA. Sprott School of Business earned second place in this competition.

The champion team was determined based upon the best combined score for the written report and presentation and will qualify for the CFA Institute Regional Investment Research Challenge in New York City to compete against teams from schools across the Americas in March 2010 . Winning teams then proceed to the Global Finals to be held in Hong Kong in April 2010 .

Each team had a faculty advisor and was provided with an industry mentor to aid them in the competition. "The Investment Research Challenge was a great experience and tremendous learning opportunity. I especially enjoyed interacting with our industry mentor, Rob Missere, CFA, who brought a real-world perspective to our analysis." said Jason Senesky of team Wilfrid Laurier.

Sponsors of Toronto CFA Society's Investment Research Challenge are CFA Institute, OMERS and Stalla by Becker Review.

Toronto CFA Society

Toronto CFA Society is a not-for-profit organization supporting professional development and advancement of CFA charterholders. The society provides member services including educational programs, sponsored events, job postings and networking opportunities.

Founded in 1936, the society is affiliated with CFA Institute, the global body that administers the Chartered Financial Analyst curriculum and sets voluntary, ethics-based performance-reporting standards for the investment industry. With over 7,000 members, Toronto CFA Society is the 2nd largest in the world, after New York. For more information, please refer to www.torontocfa.ca

CFA Institute

CFA Institute is the global association for investment professionals. It administers the CFA and CIPM curriculum and exam programs worldwide; publishes research; conducts professional development programs; and sets voluntary, ethics-based professional and performance-reporting standards for the investment industry. CFA Institute has nearly 100,000 members, who include the world's 86,400 CFA charterholders, in 133 countries and territories, as well as 136 affiliated professional societies in 57 countries and territories. More information may be found at www.cfainstitute.org

CFA(R) and Chartered Financial Analyst(R) are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

Glacier

Glacier is an information communications company focused on the provision of primary and essential information and related services through print, electronic and online media. Glacier is pursuing this strategy through its core business segments; the local newspaper, trade information and business and professional information markets.

OMERS

OMERS is one of Canada's largest pension funds with an established track record of strong and steady performance and with investments in a wide range of companies and assets around the world. The OMERS Worldwide brand represents the various OMERS investment entities, including OMERS Strategic Investments, OMERS Private Equity, OMERS Capital Markets, Borealis Infrastructure, and Oxford Properties Group.

The Laurier School of Business & Economics

The Laurier School of Business & Economics (SBE) is one of Canada's leading business schools. With more than 4,500 students enrolled in full-time, part-time, undergraduate, Masters, and Doctoral programs, it is also one of the largest. Laurier students are renowned for their excellent performance - they have claimed more accounting gold than any other university in Canada . The Laurier School of Business & Economics is AACSB accredited and is located at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. The School also delivers a weekend MBA program in Toronto , Ontario.

For further information: Toronto CFA Society: Sara Maginn Pacella, Manager External Communication & Member Services, Ph: [phone] X 225, [email protected]