Transformative Lessons from the 2025 Investment Portfolio Case Competition

The 2025 Cornell Investment Portfolio Case Competition (IPCC) held on February 7, provided invaluable experience that stretched my skills, knowledge, and collaborative abilities. Over 10 intense days, our team worked tirelessly to craft innovative strategies to create a defensive equity fund that could be integrated into long-dated target-date funds. The competition, designed to simulate real-world investment challenges, pushed us to work at our best and gave me lessons that will stay with me throughout my career.

A collaborative effort: Uniting diverse perspectives

From the outset, our team was determined to approach the task creatively and rigorously. We started with brainstorming sessions to define the fund’s investment objectives, considering how much downside risk should be mitigated and what timeframe we should focus on. The collaboration among team members from diverse backgrounds allowed us to think through various scenarios from multiple angles, ensuring that we did not miss any critical factors.

We evaluated strategies such as tactical asset allocation (TAA), stop-loss rules, and portfolio insurance, weighing the merits and limitations of each. After much discussion, we combined two strategies into a hybrid solution: a tactical asset allocation and a stop-loss strategy. This approach allowed us to take advantage of both benefits: the flexibility and potential for market outperformance through TAA, combined with the downside protection offered by the stop-loss rules.

As we developed our strategy, I quickly realized that the success of our plan was not just about individual contributions. We leaned on each teammate’s strengths and trusted each other’s expertise in key areas, whether in financial modeling, market analysis, or crafting the final presentation. Everyone’s unique perspective helped us fine-tune our strategy, ensuring that our solution was comprehensive and well-executed.

Building scenarios and simulating performance

In the next phase, our team had to translate our strategy into a practical, implementable plan. We conducted a thorough risk-return simulation using historical data to show how our proposed fund would perform in various market environments. This process required immense crunching and analysis, but our team approached it with determination, revisiting our assumptions and adjusting where necessary.

Our team focused on demonstrating how our hybrid strategy would provide downside protection and ensure that the fund could capitalize on market upturns. By dynamically adjusting the equity allocation through TAA when market conditions were favorable and implementing a stop-loss rule when the market fell below a certain threshold, we aimed to balance risk and reward. This approach gave us the confidence that our strategy could work effectively in various market conditions, safeguarding investor assets while delivering solid returns.

Strategic thinking and effective communication

The final piece of the puzzle was preparing a concise yet impactful presentation. Each team had 10 minutes to deliver our entire case, followed by a 10-minute Q&A session with the judges. Our team needed to make every second count. We meticulously crafted our slides and rehearsed our delivery to communicate the technical details and the strategic vision.

Throughout the process, it became clear that our success was due to not just the strength of our ideas, but our ability to work as a team. We trusted each other’s judgment, played to our strengths, and worked seamlessly as one cohesive unit. In the end, it was not just the content of our presentation that made it successful, but our ability to convey why we believed our strategy was the most effective solution. We focused on being transparent about our decision-making process and were able to answer questions confidently—a testament to the strength of our collaboration.

An opportunity to grow and learn

Looking back on those 10 days, I am incredibly proud of our team’s accomplishments. The experience taught me the importance of balancing creative problem-solving with rigorous financial analysis. It also reaffirmed my belief in the power of collaboration. Everyone brought unique perspectives to the table, and through our collective effort, we developed a solution we believed in.

A call to future competitors

If you are considering joining the IPCC in the future, I highly encourage you to take the plunge. It is not just about competition or prestige; it is about the learning experience. You will be pushed out of your comfort zone, work with talented and diverse individuals, and gain insights into the complexities of investment strategies. Just like us, you will come away with a deeper understanding of financial markets and the invaluable experience of working as part of a high-performing team.

The effort and dedication required will pay off in new skills and lasting memories as you build your future, one strategy at a time.

So, take the challenge, dive deep into the case, and trust your team.

About the author

Nayancie Matthews is an MBA student at Cornell University with a strong passion for finance and social impact. She has experience in impact investing, investment banking, and product portfolio management and is deeply committed to bridging the gap between financial growth and meaningful social outcomes. She also is an active mentor to aspiring leaders and is involved in health equity projects. A fitness advocate, Matthews enjoys taking on new challenges.