Author: GW Investment Institute

In Episode 17 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Rodney Lake talks with Dr. Gergana Jostova, Chair of the Finance Department, about the future of finance education. Professor Jostova shares her vision for expanding the department with new programs focused on AI and sustainable finance. They also discuss the importance of an undergraduate degree in finance, as it equips students for various roles, from portfolio management to corporate finance. Professor Jostova explains how businesses and investors are interconnected, highlighting the essential decisions finance professionals make regarding capital allocation and investment strategies. Professor Jostova also provides tips for personal finance management and valuable insights for aspiring finance professionals. Tune in for an engaging discussion on the future of finance education!

The inaugural GW Stock Pitch Competition, hosted by the GW Investment Institute, was a tremendous success, providing students with a platform to sharpen their financial analysis skills and demonstrate their investment acumen in a competitive setting.

The competition allowed students to craft compelling investment theses, dive into the GWII Investment Framework, and receive valuable feedback from industry judges. Participants also achieved FactSet certification and conducted in-depth financial research, culminating in their pitches of a publicly traded U.S. company with a market cap of at least $250 million as a strong long-term investment.

The final round, held on October 4th at the GW School of Business, showcased the incredible talent and dedication of our students. Congratulations to the winners who gave outstanding pitches:

🥇 First Place: Alvin Wright – Novo Nordisk (NVO)
🥈 Second Place: Reva Dalmia – Oshkosh (OSK)
🥉 Third Place: Ella Younger – Applied Materials (AMAT)
🏅 Honorable Mention: Tristan Smith – MercadoLibre (MELI)

Thank you to all the talented GW students who participated, showcasing their impressive financial analysis and investment skills. We were blown away by the creativity and dedication that each finalist demonstrated. You can see what each finalist pitched below:

• Yahia Ghannoum – DSV (DSDVY)
• Ethan Kerr – General Dynamics (GD)
• Vaishnavi Vangani – Nike (NKE)

In Episode 16 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Rodney Lake, Director of the GW Investment Institute, delves into Costco’s current valuation and growth strategy. He shines a spotlight on Costco’s forward PE ratio of 48 times and a 30% return on equity. He ponders whether the company’s international expansion, particularly its success in China, justifies its high valuation. Lake underlines the unique culture management fosters, prioritizing members, employees, and shareholders. Despite the high price tag, Lake gives Costco an overall score between 8 and 9, noting its continued dominance in the retail space. Tune in to discover why this business model is thriving worldwide!

On October 9th, the GW Alumni in Finance Industry Network, in partnership with the GW Investment Institute and the GW School of Business, hosted a thought-provoking fireside chat on how the upcoming election could affect financial markets, interest rates, and taxation.

The discussion featured our Director, Rodney Lake and Peter Boockvar (GWSB ’91), Chief Investment Officer of Bleakley Financial Group. Peter leads his firm’s investment management program and manages a global macro multi-asset strategy as well as a global income-focused portfolio. He is also the author of The Boock Report, a macroeconomic and market newsletter, and is a frequent contributor on CNBC.

The conversation centered around the various election scenarios and their potential impact on the financial landscape, giving attendees an understanding of what to expect in the coming months. Along with the rich discussion, alumni had the opportunity to network over hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

A special thank you to all who attended and especially to our guest, Peter Boockvar for his engaging contributions. We look forward to seeing you at our next event!

In Episode 15 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Rodney Lake, Director of the GW Investment Institute, reviews Amazon’s recent financial performance, focusing on the increased debt levels on the balance sheet since Andy Jassy took over as CEO. Lake examines the company’s trajectory, highlighting a significant rise in free cash flow—now nearing $50 billion—after a dip in 2021 and 2022. While Amazon’s balance sheet remains stable with an interest coverage ratio of 11 times, Lake raises concerns about the company’s future debt trajectory and ongoing valuation, currently trading at 33 times forward earnings. With Amazon Web Services continuing to dominate, Lake scores the company a solid 7.5 to 8 but emphasizes the need to monitor management’s ability to innovate and maintain the “Day 1” culture. Tune in to learn more!

The GW Investment Institute is proud to announce that Daniel Ives, Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst at Wedbush Securities, will be the keynote speaker at our 2025 Annual Conference & Reception. A distinguished voice in the technology and financial sectors, Daniel brings over two decades of Wall Street experience and an expertise in some of the most transformative areas of the tech landscape.

Since joining Wedbush Securities in 2018, Daniel has focused on covering the rapidly evolving technology sector. His work spans a wide array of fields, including enterprise software, cloud computing, cybersecurity, big data, and the mobile landscape. Recently, Daniel has also focused his research on electric vehicles and disruptive technologies that are set to shape the future of the global economy over the next decade.

Daniel’s insights and analysis are sought after worldwide. He has served as a keynote speaker at major industry events across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia. His expertise is regularly showcased on prominent media outlets, including CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox News, BBC, and many more. He has also made appearances on popular programs such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, and NBC Nightly News, to name a few.

Join us at the GW Investment Institute’s 2025 Annual Conference & Reception for an insightful and inspiring keynote session with Daniel Ives. Stay tuned for more updates and details about the event. We look forward to seeing you there!

We are proud to announce that we have a talented team from the GW Investment Institute who will be competing at this year’s McGill International Portfolio Challenge (MIPC). The MIPC is one of the most prestigious global competitions in finance, bringing together student teams from universities around the world to solve pressing issues faced by large asset managers.

The competition challenges participants to develop portfolio strategies that address complex, real-world issues such as sustainability, inflation resilience, and long-term financial security. With its focus on actionable solutions, MIPC provides students with a unique platform to showcase their skills and contribute to the future of responsible investing.

This year, the GWII will include Esha Peer, Grady McGean, Judy Abdo, and Mateo Moya Chavez. We are confident that these individuals will represent us with excellence, contributing innovative ideas and insights to the competition.

To learn more about each of our team members and their individual backgrounds, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X for their introductions and updates on their journey to MIPC. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as our team competes on the global stage!

In Episode 14 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Rodney Lake, Director of the GW Investment Institute, sits down with Will Ahrens, current GW student and investment enthusiast, to discuss the value of internships and networking for aspiring finance professionals. Will shares personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of starting early in the internship process, building genuine connections, and trusting your instincts when making career decisions. The episode highlights practical advice on leveraging resources from GWSB, the significance of mental models and paying it forward in the professional world. Tune in for actionable insights on navigating the competitive business landscape and investing!

In Episode 13 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Rodney Lake, Director of the GW Investment Institute, reviews Visa’s current performance, focusing on its capital allocation and management under Ryan McHenry. Lake highlights Visa’s investments in new products and services while defending its market position against competitors like PayPal. With impressive 70% margins and over $18 billion in free cash flow, Lake questions whether Visa’s 10% projected growth justifies its high valuation. He gives Visa an overall score of 8, emphasizing the need to monitor management’s strategy as competition grows. Tune in to learn more!

We are excited to introduce our GWII delegation who will be competing at the Cornell Undergraduate Women in Investing Conference (WIN) on September 26-27 in New York City! Our team includes:

Laura Null, GWSB Class of 2025

Madison Bachmayer, GWSB Class of 2026

Victoria Irizarry, GWSB Class of 2027

Sophia Volvovsky, GWSB Class of 2027

At WIN, our team will network with top investment professionals, showcase their stock-picking skills, and gain invaluable feedback. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn from industry leaders and engage with a community committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in finance.

Thank you to the Strategic Investment Group for sponsoring our team and making this opportunity possible.