Surprise! We live in a democratic, pluralistic, free-market economy. And future decisions about America’s energy infrastructure will be incredibly political. Consider, for example, the fact that President Barak Obama’s Administration has been reviewing Transcanda’s...
Efficient Frontier Newsletter
Gaffney Signals End of Era; Provides Alternative Strategies for Fixed Income Investors
During a frigid Chicago lunch-hour in late February, Kathleen Gaffney, CFA, spoke to a room of CFA Chicago Society members and their guests at the Willis Tower’s Metropolitan Club about the prospects of fixed income investing and potential income generating strategies...
Distinguished Speaker Series: Kathleen Gaffney, CFA, Co-Director of Diversified Fixed Income, Eaton Vance
The Distinguished Speaker Series featured Kathleen Gaffney, CFA, and Co-Director at Eaton Vance who focuses on fixed income. Eaton Vance is one of the oldest and most distinguished investment management firms in the United States. Gaffney warned that the “end of the...
Sustainable Investing: Profit with a Purpose
Superior investment analysis is part science and part art. The science part can be quantitative and mechanical—calculating the appropriate cost of capital, discounting expected future cash flows to the present and comparing the intrinsic value of a security to its...
8th Annual Industry Roundtables for Investment Professional
By Calvin Chung, CFA, Bob Cohen, CFA, Peter Vinzani, CFA and Don Duncan, CFA On Feb 10th, the Career Management Advisory Group organized the 8th Annual Industry Roundtables for Investment Professionals event. This event is an opportunity to hear about different...
Book Club Discussion: “The End of Copycat China: The Rise of Creativity, Innovation, and Individualism in Asia”
The CFA Chicago Book Club met on Feb. 17 to discuss The End of Copycat China: The Rise of Creativity, Innovation, and Individualism in Asia by Shaun Rein. Below is a summary of the discussion based on the reading: The End of Copycat China by Shaun Rein is a sound...
New Member and Volunteer Recognition
On Jan. 22, 2015, CFA Society Chicago held its annual New Member and Volunteer Recognition Party in the amazing rotunda of the Chicago Cultural Center. Hors d'oeuvres and cocktails were served beneath the world’s largest Tiffany glass dome—measuring 38 feet in...
Distinguished Speaker Series : James Bullard
James Bullard, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, spoke to a packed room at the Standard Club on Jan. 16 about Federal Open Market Committee macroeconomic forecasts. His presentation was also transmitted via a live webcast. The first problem...
Chairman’s Message
I hope you enjoyed a great holiday season, and 2014 was a fulfilling year for your career. It is the halfway point of CFA Chicago’s fiscal period, which makes a good time for us to review the strategic themes we established in July; and also to tell you about changes...
A Balancing Act: Career Management and Searching for a New Role
On Dec. 9 the University Club in downtown Chicago was the venue for this event geared toward job seekers in the investment profession hosted by CFA Chicago and the Career Management Advisory Group. The panel members and moderator consisted of: Panelists: Katie Banks -...
CFA Exam Study Group Kick-Off Party & Open House
For the 11th consecutive year, signaling the start of another exam preparation season, CFA Chicago and the Candidate Services Advisory Group, along with Kaplan Schweser hosted a Study Group & Exam Preparation Party at the Standard Club on Dec. 11. The reception...
Chinese Shadow Banking: Crisis or Correction?
CFA Society Chicago recently worked with the Chinese Finance Association and The Paulson Institute to explore the risks and rewards of the Chinese shadow banking system. On behalf of CFA Chicago’s Education Advisory Committee, Peter Cook, CFA, welcomed the audience to...
Distinguished Speakers Series: Barry Sternlicht
Barry Sternlicht was the featured guest at the Distinguished Speakers Series held on Nov. 21 at the Standard Club. Sternlicht is the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Starwood Capital Group, a private investment firm he formed in 1991 focusing on global real...
Distinguished Speaker Series: Jeremy Siegel
Are stocks overvalued? Not according to Chicago native Jeremy Siegel. The Wharton professor and author often described as a “perma-bull” took a sanguine view towards the equity markets in his CFA Chicago presentation, saying that while stocks are the most volatile...
Progressive Networking Luncheon @ Petterino’s
More than 50 investment professionals gathered at Chicago's Petterino’s restaurant for a progressive networking lunch on Nov. 12, 2014. The idea is simple: Guests are given name tags listing a separate table for each of the meals' three courses. The ability to "mix...
CFA Chicago Annual Dinner: 28th Annual Dinner
CFA Society Chicago celebrated a class of 140 new charterholders during the CFA Chicago 28th Annual Dinner held at the Navy Pier Grand Ballroom. The festivities commenced at 5 p.m. with networking and drinks. Prior to the start of dinner, entertainment was provided by...
Photos: CFA Chicago Annual Dinner 2014
View photos from the 28th Annual CFA Society Chicago Dinner, held on Oct. 23, 2014, at the Navy Pier Grand Ballroom in Chicago.
Claritas Prep Program
Claritas is a Latin word which in English denotes clarity or brightness. The CFA Institute began the Claritas Investment Certificate as a global education program designed to give a clear understanding of the essentials of the investment industry. This program is...
Energy Investing: Made in America
CFA Society Chicago hosted approximately 140 people at the University Club of Chicago overlooking Millennium Park on Sept. 23, 2014, to discuss energy investment opportunities at a thought-provoking conference entitled “A Seismic Shift: The Changing Dynamics of the...
Chairman’s Message: Society Update
Let me begin with a thank you to CFA Chicago’s Governance & Nominating Committee for entrusting me with the role of Chairman. It’s a distinct honor to lead the oldest Investment Analyst Society in the world. Positioning our 89-year-old brand for the future,...
Distinguished Speaker Series: Mario Gabelli, CFA , Chairman and CEO, GAMCO Investors
Nicknamed “Super Mario” by financial media pundits, Mario Gabelli, CFA , Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAMCO Investors, Inc., presented his ideas on shareholder activism to a sold out crowd at the University Club on Aug. 12, 2014. The idea that activists are...
Navy Pier Tall Ship Networking
An intrepid group of approximately 50 seafaring CFA Chicago members and guests boarded the Tall Ship Windy at Navy Pier for a memorable evening architectural tour of the Chicago skyline and networking voyage on July, 22, 2014. The event was hosted by the Social...
Distinguished Speaker Series: Rick Rieder, Managing Director, BlackRock
The Distinguished Speaker Series hosted Rick Rieder whose other duties include Chief Investment Officer of Fundamental Fixed Income for BlackRock and Chairman of the BlackRock Investment Council. BlackRock is the largest asset management firm, now managing over $4.3...
Distinguished Speakers Series: Rob Arnott, Chairman & CEO, Research Affiliates
A provocative presentation entitled Conventional Wisdom and Pseudo-Science: Are we Blinded by Theory? took place in front of a sold out audience of 176 on June 19 at the Metropolitan Club. Rob Arnott, Chairman & CEO, Research Affiliates was the speaker who...