In a tough fight that saw three universities battle it out right to the closing bell, the stock portfolio put together by a team of University of Victoria MBA students held strong and claimed first prize in the annual National Post MBA Portfolio Competition.

Judged on the ability to generate highest returns with lowest volatility as measured by the Sharpe Ratio, the UVic portfolio claimed first place in the annual contest. The UVic team ended the competition with a Sharpe Ratio of 3.69 per cent and portfolio returns standing at 17.02 per cent or $1,170,222.

"March became the most strategic month as the gap between us and the other top two teams had narrowed following a very volatile February," says team member Hilary McVey. "In the end our strategy of building a diversified portfolio held firm. We led the competition from day one against some very tough competitors and we're very happy with the results."

Along with McVey, the winning team members are Scott Low, Bernie Sauter, Matt Stanlake, Christopher Carmack and Ricky Nariani.

"This is an outstanding accomplishment for our students I couldn't be prouder," says Dr. Don Rowlatt,business professor and coach. "The contest helps them gain some professional portfolio management experience and they learn a lot through trial and error."

Simon Fraser University and HEC Montréal placed second and third respectively in the competition which began in October. Twelve MBA schools from across Canada constructed investment portfolios using $1−million in play money.

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Media Contacts:

Dr. Don Rowlatt (Business) 250−721−6428 or drowlatt@uvvm.uvic.ca

Hilary McVey (Business) at 250−383−2394 or mcveyh@uvic.ca. McVey is available by phone up to April 15 then by email until April 27.

Dianne George (Business Communications) at 250−721−6411 or buscomm@business.uvic.ca

UVic Communications Services, PO Box 1700 STN CSC Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2

Tel. (250) 721−7636 Fax (250) 721−8955 E−Mail: ucom@uvic.ca

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