abstract
| - __NOINDEX__ The Blue Chips Investment Club is a registered student organization at the University of Chicago that is noted for managing a U.S. equity portfolio within the University's endowment. Though the group has been active since 2001, it rose to prominence in 2005 after alumnus Greg Wendt donated $100,000 to seed the group's portfolio. In addition, the Blue Chips actively forges relationships with the campus and business communities by hosting campus-wide events, such as an annual stock-pitch competition sponsored by JP Morgan Chase. Membership in the Blue Chips is based on several levels of commitment and involvement; members are divided into affiliates, analysts, associates and directors. Members at the analyst level and above comprise the eight sector groups, the investment and special events committees, and the board of directors. The sector groups analyze and forecast equity performance in their respective sectors. In the course of their research, sector groups pitch undervalued investments to the investment committee, which is made up of senior members who actively manage the endowment. The eight sectors are basic materials, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, finance, healthcare, industrials and technology. In spite of the club's focus on actively managing its investment fund, the Blue Chips also provides educational opportunities to its members and the broader campus community, including weekly presentations on investment topics. Many former Blue Chips members have gone on to notable positions in the finance industry--starting out at banks, and later often moving to buy-side firms such as hedge funds and private-equity funds. Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Lazard, McKinsey & Company, Courtsquare Capital Partners, Flexpoint and Madison Dearborn are among the firms represented by Blue Chips alumni.
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