In late February, Missouri State University business students placed second in the Kansas City CFA Society Regional competition.  

Team members Matt Howard, Hayden Lease and Artur Osrath are undergraduate finance majors, and Dane Haugen is a graduate student in the MBA program.  

About the competition 

The CFA Research Challenge is a student program organized by the CFA Institute with the purpose of introducing students to the process of investment analysis. 

MSU’s team completed extensive research on H&R Block, a publicly traded company. They completed research and prepared a written report that supported a buy, sell or hold recommendation for the company. 

Team members can seek advice or input from a faculty member and industry member. The team worked with Dr. Seth Hoelscher, assistant professor in finance and general business, and Zach Swart, MSU alumni and portfolio manager at BKD. 

After months of hard work and preparation, the students presented and defended their findings to a panel of industry experts at the competition. 

Winning teams were chosen based on thoroughness of the analysis and knowledge of the company. 

“I am very proud of this year’s team. They were tasked with analyzing a very challenging company, and the immense work put into the project was evident in both their written report and presentation,” said Dr. Jeff Jones, finance and general business department head.  

About the CFA Institute 

The CFA Institute is a global association of investment professionals.  

The organization offers the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement designation, and the Investment Foundations Certificate. 

In addition to the annual competition, the CFA Institute also offers scholarship opportunities and other preparation resources for students who are pursuing a career in investment. 

Learn more about finance and general business.