CBA finance student
aces Barron’s stock-pick challenge

Recent graduate eyes
stockbroker profession

Jonathan Milley, ’04, has been watching the stock market rollercoaster since high school. Now that he’s placed in the top 10 of the Barron’s annual stock-picking contest, he’s starting to enjoy the ride.

“I like the whole industry,” Milley said. “It changes every day. There’s always something going on, and it’s never boring.”

Milley placed fourth out of 1,154 students competing in the contest last fall. Each investor started with a portfolio of $100,000. From September through December, Milley saw a 45.5 percent profit. He finished with a portfolio valued at $145,454.

“I stayed mostly with my initial picks,” Milley said. “USG Corporation was my biggest winner, and Pharmion Corporation was my biggest loss. I first glanced at the overall economy and determined that health care, finance, energy, technology, and basic material sectors were performing the best. Then I researched within those sectors and picked companies that had good financial statements like Procter & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson. Sometimes it’s just pick and hope for the best.”

Milley shared the victory with Central Michigan University finance professor James Felton, who placed eighth among 69 professors participating in the Barron’s challenge.

“It was an honor to be a top finisher, and for Jonathan, it expands the opportunities he will have in the future,” Felton said.

Milley will start graduate school in May, pursuing his M.B.A. in finance. After that, he’s got his eye on Chicago’s finance industry.

“I’m leaning toward research or being a stockbroker,” Milley said.

Savvy stock picks put finance professor James Felton, left, and Jonathan Milley, ’04, in the top ranks of the Barron’s annual stock-picking contest.

forward >