Project

Project 1: 2026 SMIFC South Poster Session

Project Preview

The 2026 SMIFC Poster Session Competition will be held on April 11, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The session provides SMIFC teams with an opportunity to present and display information about their Student Managed Investment Funds (SMIFs), including fund performance for the 2025 calendar year.

As an incentive, the Scott College of Business at Indiana State University will recognize and present awards to the top three teams that demonstrate Posters of Excellence for outstanding fund performance and exceptional visual presentation.

Presenters are encouraged to engage with colleagues from other SMIFC schools during the session. All presenters are responsible for bringing, setting up, and removing their posters at the conference. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the session.

Participation is highly encouraged for all SMIFC teams.

Submissions and Representation

Each SMIFC-South team planning to participate must email Dr. Tarek Zaher at tarek.zaher@indstate.edu by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 28, 2026.

Each team must also submit the following materials:

A completed spreadsheet reporting the fund’s Time-Weighted Rate of Return (TWRR) for the period January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025.
Twelve monthly account statements from the brokerage house hosting the SMIF account for the same period.
- These statements are typically available under “Documents” or “Statements” on your brokerage portal.
- Teams may either download and submit the statements or fill in the attached reporting template.

If a school manages multiple funds under different teams, up to two teams may participate in the competition.
Teams may use tri-fold boards measuring 48 inches by 36 inches for their poster displays.

Evaluation Method

Performance will be assessed using the Sharpe Ratio, calculated based on each team’s time-weighted return from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.

While creativity and innovation are encouraged, all posters should include (at minimum):

SMIF performance metrics
Fund history and overview
Investment policy statement
Investment strategies
Student roles in the decision-making process

Awards

Courtesy of the Scott College of Business, Indiana State University

First Place — $600
Second Place — $500
Third Place — $400

Project 2: SMIFC-South Firm Analysis Competition

Project Overview

This project is a comprehensive financial analysis exercise focused on Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL). Participants are expected to analyze the company’s financial performance and strategic position using financial ratios, valuation models, and other quantitative and qualitative metrics.

Each analysis should integrate macroeconomic, industry, and company-specific perspectives to demonstrate a thorough understanding of Oracle’s financial health, market position, and long-term outlook.

Up to two teams (2–3 students each) from each participating school may enter this competition.

Data Resources

Participants may use the following recommended sources, as well as other reliable databases accessible through their institutions:

Macroeconomic and Industry Data

Federal Reserve Beige Book and FRED database
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The Conference Board
World Bank
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
PwC: Global Outlook and Industry Reports
Deloitte: Industry and Economic Outlooks

Company-Specific Data

U.S. SEC EDGAR Database
Yahoo Finance
Google Finance
Oracle Investor Relations website
Morningstar

Guiding Questions

Teams should apply the analytical tools and techniques learned in Finance and Business courses to address the following topics:

Business Niches (10%)
What special business niches has Oracle developed over time?
Diversification (15%)
How well diversified is Oracle in terms of exposure to regional, national, and international economic problems (e.g., inflation, war, health crises)?
Is the firm’s asset portfolio vulnerable to major economic, financial, or political shocks?
Stockholder Performance (15%)
How well have Oracle’s stockholders fared over the last five years?
Compare Oracle’s stock performance to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, other market indices, and its peers.
Financial Strengths and Weaknesses (30%)
What are the company’s financial strengths and weaknesses?
Use financial ratios and other key statistics to support your analysis.
Valuation and Recommendation (30%)
What is the intrinsic value (target price) of Oracle’s stock relative to its current market value?
Is the stock overvalued or undervalued, and would you recommend purchasing it?

Submission Requirements

Font Size: 10–12 points (Times New Roman or Arial recommended)
Length: 8–15 pages (excluding references and appendices)
Copies:
- One copy including author(s) and university information.
- One anonymous copy without author or university names (for blind review by judges).
File Format: PDF or Word document preferred.
Submission Deadline: (Insert specific date when available)
Submission Email: tarek.zaher@indstate.edu

SMIFC South 2026 Projects