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Student Investment Fund

The College of Business (COB) Student Investment Fund (SIF) program was launched in the Fall 2010 semester based on the $250,000 investment fund allocated to the COB by University Enterprises Incorporated (UEI). As stated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UEI and COB, the SIF program “allows students from the College of Business, with faculty oversight, the opportunity to:

  • analyze and manage an investment portfolio,
  • research and recommend portfolio holdings,
  • analyze economic conditions,
  • maintain accounts and records necessary for an investment portfolio, and
  • perform these functions in the context of a unique educational opportunity that will help students better understand financial markets.”
“It should be recognized that in order to achieve the return objectives risk taking will be inevitable. SIF risk taking policy, consistent with the modern portfolio management theory, is that risk cannot be eliminated, but should be managed efficiently and prudently, consistent with the level of return expectations. SIF will strive to maximize the rates of return while managing the volatility of the returns and minimizing the risk of large losses through extensive and prudent diversification.” Specifically, “the return target is to provide a total return in excess of 0.5% above the S&P 500” and “risk is to stay in line with that of the S&P 500.” SIF participants provide written reports to UEI on both a semester and annual basis and make annual presentation to the UEI Board of Directors or Investment Committee.

Investment Philosophy

The objective of the SIF is to “achieve long term appreciation of capital by applying both active and passive strategies when selecting investments. The overall objective is to maximize rates of return within reasonable and prudent levels of risk through extensive diversification.” “The investment philosophy of the SIF is to create a management process with sufficient flexibility to capture investment opportunities and at the same time maintain risk and diversification at reasonablelevels to ensure prudence and care in the execution of investment program.”

About the Course

Credit towards degree: The FIN160/MBA299A - Student Investment Fund Management course provides the vehicle and context for students to participate in the SIF program. This 3-credit hour course counts towards your elective requirements in all Finance Tracks (General Finance, Risk Management, Real Estate, and Financial Planning). The FIN160 prerequisite is flexible: FIN 134, FIN 135, or FIN 136 with a final posted grade of B- or higher or FIN 101 with a final posted grade of A- or higher.

Course content: In FIN160 we walk through the full spectrum of fund management: compliance, accounting, performance measurement, security analysis, portfolio formation, and reporting. Employers across California and the nation are aware of the experience students gain in Student Investment Fund (SIF) programs. SIF experience bolsters a resume and will come up during job interviews. SIF alumni routinely note how SIF has been a springboard for themselves and many other Sac State Students.

Sac State Advantage: Not all universities offer a Student Investment Fund program - but we do (#StingersUp #HornetsSwarm)! Furthermore, not all universities have a Bloomberg Terminal - and we have 12. The SIF portfolio started with $250,000 in 2010 and is currently $975,000+ as of May 5, 2023. That’s right, approaching one million dollars. If I were a student, I would certainly like to add something like “Member of a team managing a $1,000,000 portfolio for the university” on my resume. I highly encourage you consider enrolling in FIN160 to build on your finance knowledge and make yourself more competitive in today’s job market.

Time & Location

See the syllabus for the FIN160/MBA299A course.



Additional course details

How to Register for the Course

Undergraduate students: You can register for FIN160 like you do for any other class.

MBA students: Contact the Graduate Business Advising Center (mps@csus.edu) for registration instructions.

In either case, also send an email to me (djmphd@csus.edu) to let me know how it goes.

Contact

Dr. David J. Moore
SIF Faculty Advisor
Professor of Finance
California State University, Sacramento
COB, Tahoe Hall 2036
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819-6088
phone: (916) 278-6614
email: djmphd@csus.edu