GW INVESTMENT INSTITUTE INSIGHTS

In Episode 29 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Rodney Lake, Director of the GW Investment Institute, discusses Tesla’s potential, highlighting Elon Musk’s significant stake in the company and his ability to drive its success despite managing multiple ventures. The episode covers Tesla’s high valuation, fueled by growth expectations in Full Self-Driving software, energy storage, and AI. Despite these lofty expectations, Tesla’s balance sheet remains strong, with substantial cash and free cash flow. Analysts are encouraged to consider the company’s long-term growth potential, particularly in applying artificial intelligence in the real world, energy solutions, and robotics. Tune in now!

In Episode 28 of Market News with Rodney Lake, Rodney Lake, Director of the GW Investment Institute, analyzes Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSM) performance and its critical role in the semiconductor industry. Professor Lake explores TSM’s impressive $83 billion in revenue, 55% gross margins, and nearly 40% net margins. He evaluates TSM’s business model, management strategy, and valuation, assigning it an overall score of 8.5. With a focus on the company’s supply chain relationships with giants like Apple and Nvidia, and its position as a leader in AI development, Lake emphasizes the importance of understanding TSM’s place in the global economy. Tune in to gain valuable insights into one of the most pivotal companies shaping the future of technology!

The GW Investment Institute (GWII) is proud to announce the launch of its Portfolio Group, a new initiative designed to help GW freshmen, sophomores, and juniors develop essential finance and investing skills. This seven-week program bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications, providing participants with the tools and knowledge they need to excel in finance-related internships and careers.

About the Program

The GWII Portfolio Group is open to all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors interested in finance and investing. During the seven-week program student will:

• Earn FactSet and Bloomberg certifications, enhancing their resumes and technical expertise.
• Learn how to apply the GWII Investment Framework to analyze stocks from the student-managed investment funds, gaining hands-on experience in equity research.
• The program culminates in stock pitch presentations, where students showcase their analysis and practice presenting.
• Weekly sessions include discussions on market news, key investing concepts, and the latest trends in finance.
• During this program, students will be better equipped for internship and job interviews.

Program Details

For questions, contact invest@gwu.edu.

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In Episode 27 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Rodney Lake, Director of the GW Investment Institute, sits down with economist and GW Professor Tara Sinclair. They discuss the importance of early work experience for students and how internships or summer jobs can help individuals identify their interests, develop communication skills, and prepare for professional environments. Professor Sinclair also shares insights into the GW Center for Economics Research seminars, highlighting the opportunity to engage with economists and explore research areas such as microeconomics, international finance, and forecasting. Tune in to gain valuable career advice and learn about the economics department at GW!

In Episode 26 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Rodney Lake, Director of the GW Investment Institute (GWII), sets the stage for 2025 by exploring key investment trends in artificial intelligence and the space industry. Lake emphasizes GWII’s proven framework—business management, price versus valuation, and balance sheet analysis—as a tool for identifying promising opportunities in these emerging fields. Reflecting on the Institute’s achievements, he highlights the critical role of students, faculty, and advisory board members in driving success. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to approach the new year with confidence. Tune in now!

Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!

As I look back on this year, I am deeply grateful for the incredible support and dedication of our faculty: Bill Collier and Christine Song—our staff: Bojana Jankovic, Kathleen Hinman, and Willow Newcomb—and our teaching assistants: Will Ahrens and Yaseen Shah.

I am also thankful for the guidance of our chairman: Russ Ramsey—and our board members: Mark Anfang, Jim Carruthers, Jared Golub, Sam Eisner, Aron Kershner, John Roberts, Steve Ross, and Greg Wong. A heartfelt thanks as well to all our class guest speakers and keynote speakers: Professor Patrick Hall and Oscar Pulido, for their contributions this year.

I am also grateful to you for being a part of our community and contributing to our progress. In the spring of 2025, I look forward to celebrating 20 years since the inception of the GW Ramsey Student Investment Fund.

Recent activities & opportunities to connect with the GW Investment Institute: 

• GWSB senior Esha Peer wins the best speaker award at the McGill International Portfolio Challenge (MIPC) competition in Montreal, check out Going with the FLOW: My MIPC Experience blog by Esha. 
• Explore how 34% of student stock pitches were accepted into the GW Phillips Student Investment Fund during Fall 2024—read the Stock Pitch Days Recap blog for all the details.
• Industry visit: Thanks to alumni Oscar Pulido and Jenna Bryan-Krug, students from the Applied Financial Securities Analysis class had the opportunity to visit BlackRock’s DC office, check out the social media post for details.
• President Granberg, her wife Sonya Rankin, and GW Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff Scott Mory attended the Applied Financial Securities Analysis class, check out the social media post for details.
• Market News with Rodney Lake podcast hosted Prof. Bill Collier, GW alumnus and Principal at Noblis Ventures (check out the episode on Apple Podcasts and YouTube).
• Support Future Investors: Explore Funding Opportunities with GW Investment Institute and donate today.
• Join us on March 21, 2025, for the GW Investment Institute’s Annual Conference featuring keynote speaker Dan Ives, a globally recognized tech analyst. Register now to explore the future of tech investing!

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

On December 6–7, 2024, students from two Applied Financial Securities Analysis (FINA 4101) classes showcased their buy and sell stock recommendations for the GW Phillips Student Investment Fund. Established in 2008, the fund now boasts over $3.6 million in assets under management (as of December 10, 2024). For a comprehensive overview of the fund’s performance, check out the latest GWII Quarterly Report.

On Stock Pitch Day, students presented their detailed analyses using the GW Investment Institute Framework. After each presentation, the class, acting as the investment committee, voted on the proposal. To have their recommendation adopted into the portfolio, students needed to secure an 80% majority from their peers.

A heartfelt thank you to all the students for their hard work and dedication this semester. We especially thank our teaching assistant, Will Ahrens, and alumni speakers, Jim Carruthers, Suzanne Dannheim, John Roberts, Jim Van Horn, Jordan Sheinkop, and Greg Wong, for sharing their valuable insights with our classes.

We are also profoundly grateful to Oscar Pulido and Jenna Bryan-Krug for hosting our students at BlackRock’s DC office and speaking to the class in November.

Lastly, thank you Professors Song and Lake for another outstanding semester of learning and growth!

In Episode 25 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Rodney Lake dives into Walmart’s financial performance and strategic outlook. Lake discusses key metrics, including Walmart’s net debt, capital allocation, and recent management decisions under CEO Doug McMillon. Lake highlights Walmart’s challenges in navigating rising interest rates and tariff uncertainties while maintaining its reputation for operational discipline. As the world’s largest retailer continues its digital transformation, Lake emphasizes the importance of monitoring risks and opportunities in a rapidly evolving market. Tune in for a comprehensive analysis of Walmart’s position and future prospects!

In Episode 24 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Rodney Lake, Director of the GW Investment Institute, dives into Nike’s current challenges and opportunities. From iconic brandings like the Nike Swoosh, Jordan, and Air Force 1 to revenue declines and margin struggles, Lake evaluates the company’s performance. He emphasizes the need to watch key factors like distribution channels, valuation, and growth markets like China. Tune in to learn more!

In Episode 23 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Rodney Lake, Director of the GW Investment Institute, sits down with Professor Bill Collier, a seasoned venture capitalist and GW alumnus, to explore the world of entrepreneurship and venture capital. Professor Collier discusses key indicators of product-market fit. He also shares insights into the hype versus reality of artificial intelligence in the investment landscape. Professor Collier also offers actionable advice for students and aspiring VCs, including leveraging internships, networking intentionally, and adding value to relationships. Tune in to learn more!