A team of four students from the University of Technology (UTech) will represent the country in the Atlantic Islands round of the prestigious CFA Institute Research Challenge after winning the local finals hosted by NCB Capital Markets Limited in collaboration with CFA Society Jamaica.

The team now advances to the sub-regional stage of the global equity research competition, scheduled for March 2026, where they will compete against university teams across the Atlantic Islands division for a place in the regional and global finals.

During the local finals, the students delivered a ten-minute equity research presentation on global semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), analysing its business model, sector outlook, valuation, and key risks and opportunities within the evolving global technology landscape.

“The many sleepless nights and extensive hours of research paid off,” said Christina Campbell, a final-year Banking and Finance major and member of the winning team. “The biggest lesson I learned was to never doubt myself and to step outside my comfort zone. This opportunity allowed us to connect with industry leaders and gain insights we would not have gained in the classroom.”

Chief investment officer at NCB Capital Markets, Stacey-Ann Tait, noted that NCBCM’s support of the event is part of its efforts to help develop Jamaica’s next generation of investment professionals.

“The Jamaican leg of the research challenge has brought us face to face with talented students preparing to enter the financial world,” Tait stated. “At NCBCM, we believe we have a role to play in ensuring they have a strong foundation as they step into the industry.”

Tait also noted that her own career had been strengthened by mentorship, and the competition created an opportunity to offer that same guidance and support to emerging young professionals.

Nearly 70 students, lecturers and financial professionals gathered at NCB’s Wellness and Recreation Centre for the event. Teams were evaluated on the quality of their financial modelling and valuation work, interpretation of data and assumptions, integration of Environmental, Social and Governance considerations, presentation delivery, and their ability to respond to judges’ questions.

Heather Clarke, chair of the university relations and candidate support committee at CFA Society Jamaica, underscored the importance of industry support.

“The research challenge provides students with real-world equity research experience beyond the classroom,” Clarke said. “Support from institutions such as NCB Capital Markets strengthens the practical application of their learning as they prepare to enter the profession.”

The event concluded with a networking session between students and senior NCB Capital Markets executives, fostering mentorship and career connections.

The CFA Institute Research Challenge, first held in 2007, is an annual global competition that provides university students with hands-on experience in equity research and investment analysis. Jamaica competes through the Atlantic Islands division. Successful teams from this stage advance to regional rounds, with the opportunity to compete at the global finals later in the year.