Kai Lu Competes in CFA Investment Research Challenge

2013 Mar 28

Kai Lu, of Shanghai, was part of the Investment Research Challenge team at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. He helped produce a detailed financial report and valuation of Consol Energy Inc., a leading producer of Appalachian coal and natural gas, and presented his findings to a panel of high-profile financial analysts.

The Penn State Behrend team placed third in the Pittsburgh regional competition, which also included teams from Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University and West Virginia University.

"They did analyst-level work, and they have a report that showcases it," said Greg Filbeck, professor of finance and Samuel P. Black III chair in insurance and risk management at Penn State Behrend. He advised the team, which spent more than 150 hours preparing for the competition.

Lu, a senior, is studying finance at Penn State Behrend.

The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute started the global Research Challenge in 2006. Since then, nearly 10,000 students have participated in the competition, which is considered "the investment Olympics" for university students. The final teams will compete in London on April 12.

Penn State Behrend is a comprehensive residential college with more than 4,700 students. For more information, visit behrend.psu.edu.