Celani Investment Portfolio

The Tom Celani Student Investment Portfolio, valued at $3 million as of August 2024, is a student-managed fund that focuses on large-cap companies. Each year, a group of students, chosen by their peers and a faculty advisor, manage the fund. These students focus on different industry sectors and are dedicated to managing portfolio risk. Weekly meetings involve in-depth presentations on potential acquisitions and divestments, which include detailed analysis of the company and industry, debate on potential impacts and explanation of risk-adjusted returns.

This hands-on learning experience allows students to actively trade shares while gaining key skills in areas such as valuations, ratio analysis, and portfolio management strategies. Participants regularly present their decisions and performance in meetings, with presentations made accessible to the Celani Fund Advisory Committee, the Dean of the College of Business Administration, CMU alumni, employers and other guests. Additionally, students prepare an annual report that evaluates the performance of each fund, which they present and discuss with industry professionals at the Quinnipiac Conference in New York City.

“Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket”

Presented by Dylan Gergely, this student-led analysis explored the history of market bubbles – from Tulip Mania to the Dot-Com crash – and emphasized the importance of diversification in portfolio management. Drawing lessons from past economic events, the presentation underscored why spreading investments across industries, sectors, and global markets is essential for managing risk within the Celani Fund.