The fall 2024 semester marked an exciting milestone for The University of Tulsa’s Collins College of Business with the launch an innovative collaboration with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group (CME), a part of ICE, the largest operator of financial derivatives exchanges in the world.
“One of the biggest challenges was balancing short-term gains with long-term strategies, especially in a volatile market,” said Bowen McCloud, a first-year energy management major. “I also had to adapt quickly to changes in pricing and liquidity, which taught me the importance of flexibility and risk management.”
From October to December, students participated in a simulated event that explored the intricacies of energy commodities trading and navigating long and short positions, as well as puts and calls. Each student was given a $100,000 live portfolio to manage over two months, requiring careful analysis each day of market trends, macroeconomic factors, and news events to make informed trades. Through this hands-on experience mimicking a real-world environment, students were able to enhance their understanding of trading strategies, as well as sharpening their analytical skills.
Awards were given for return and diversification.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the two months of learning and competition,” said Federico Gonzales Tomassini, a master’s in energy business student and a top performer in the event, who took home the diversification trophy. “It was a great opportunity to develop trading skills while connecting with other students. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in trading, whether they have prior experience or are just starting out.”
In addition to connecting with their peers, students benefited from the expertise of Applied Assistant Professor of Energy Management Anne Grau and Applied Assistant Professor of Finance Tally Ferguson, both of whom led the event.
“The experience was both educational and exciting, and it gave me a hands-on understanding of trading dynamics. Additionally, the collaboration with CME Group and CCB made the event even more impactful by connecting classroom knowledge to real-world applications,” McCloud concluded.
Current students will be able to participate in another round of competition this spring.