CLEVELAND ¨C A team of four Cleveland State University finance students from the Monte Ahuja College of Business placed second in the local round of the 2012 CFA Institute Research Challenge, sponsored by the CFA Society of Cleveland.

In the competition, teams analyzed the public company RPM International Inc. (NYSE: RPM) and its stock performance, prepared a written research report, and presented their findings to a panel of distinguished judges. Students worked directly with financial professionals as mentors to research and prepare a company analysis with a final conclusion of Buy, Hold or Sell and a 12-month price target.

The CFA Institute Research Challenge promotes best practices in equity research through hands-on mentoring from professional research analysts, as well as intensive training in company analysis and presentation skills. Walsh University won first prize and will advance to the regional competition.

"The strong performance of our students in the CFA Institute Research Challenge reflects the high analytical skills of CSU's finance majors, our emphasis on research and our ties to Cleveland area professional organizations," said Chenchu Bathala, Ph.D., CFA, the team's faculty advisor and Chair & Professor of the Department of Finance in the Monte Ahuja College of Business.