A team of second-year Finance and Investment Management students from Ulster University have secured top positions both globally and within Ireland in the internationally recognised Bloomberg Global Trading Challenge 2024.
Competing against 2,500 teams and over 13,000 participants worldwide, the Ulster University team, named "Out of the Money," ranked 95th globally, 8th in the UK, and first place on the island of Ireland.
The Bloomberg Global Trading Challenge, an annual investment competition, provides university students with a unique platform to test their trading expertise in real-time simulated markets using the Bloomberg Terminal, a critical tool in modern financial trading and analysis. Ulster University's Out of the Money team, included team members Leo Foster, Archie Stewart, and Brian Kelly.
Danielle Mc Wall, Head of Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics, Ulster University Business School, said:
“Combining practical learning with hands-on experience, the Bloomberg Global Trading Challenge provides the next generation of talent with a unique opportunity to showcase their financial acumen, strategic thinking, and portfolio management skills. The Ulster University team have performed tremendously, demonstrating exceptional skill in navigating the complex world of trading and investing.
"We extend our congratulations to Leo, Archie and Brian on their remarkable achievement and are so proud to see our students represented on a global stage. Their outstanding performance reflects the high calibre of teaching and learning at Ulster University and underscores the value of experiential learning in developing industry-ready professionals for successful careers in the fast-paced financial industry. We are hugely proud to celebrate their success as an example of what our students can achieve."
Over the course of five weeks, participants manage a virtual $1 million portfolio, developing return-driven strategies under market conditions mirroring real-world scenarios. Teams are ranked based on their time-weighted returns relative to the Bloomberg World Large, Mid & Small-Cap Price Return Index (WLS Index). The Ulster University team showcased a thorough and highly strategic trading approach, achieving an impressive final profit of $188,399.
Leo Foster, Finance and Investment Management student, captained the team to success. Reflecting on the achievement, Leo commented:
“Competing in the Bloomberg Global Trading Challenge was an exhilarating and rewarding experience. Proudly representing Ulster University and achieving recognition at both a national and international scale is testament to the dedication of our team and the support we received from colleagues. The challenge not only honed our skills in investment strategy and financial analysis but also reinforced the importance of collaboration when navigating the complex global markets. It is an honour to contribute to Ulster University’s esteemed, and growing reputation in the field of finance and investment management.”
Ulster University Business School is one of a few business schools in the UK and Ireland to integrate the cutting-edge Bloomberg into its curriculum. In its state-of-the-art Financial Innovation Laboratory, the school offers direct use of data, analytics, and information through the Bloomberg Professional Service. The Laboratory, equipped with 20 Bloomberg terminals, provides students and visitors with practical experience of a dynamic trading environment comparable to an investment bank and caters to a wide range of disciplines, such as accounting, finance, economics, management, and marketing.
Beyond student learning, the Lab is available to book for school visits and by businesses and organisations interested in the financial technology sectors.
For more information about Ulster University’s Finance programmes, please visit:
BSc Finance and Investment Management (Full-time)
BSc Financial Technology (Part-time)
If you would like to visit the Financial Innovation Laboratory or have any other questions, contact Claire McCann, Senior Lecturer in Finance at c.badger@ulster.ac.uk