Student-Driven Dragon Fund Outperforms S&P
Drexel LeBow’s student-managed equity portfolio, The Dragon Fund, has outperformed its benchmark over the first five months of 2012 thanks to the 35 students enrolled in the finance classes that oversaw the fund over the winter and spring terms. The Dragon Fund, worth roughly a quarter of a million dollars, is up 7.3 percent through May 30, versus 6.5 percent for the S&P 400 Midcap Index.
Consumer stocks are currently among the fund's largest holdings. Gains in Ross Stores, The TJX Companies, PetSmart and Monster Beverage have contributed to the Fund's strong performance.
A great experience for those interested in a career in finance, running the Dragon Fund is a “student-run initiative,” says Ed Nelling, Ph.D., professor of finance. He adds that he and his colleagues Diana Sandberg, assistant clinical professor of finance, and Daniel Dorn, Ph.D., associate professor of finance, teach valuation and portfolio management skills to the classes of students who oversee the fund, but “it’s the students who analyze their sectors, choose the stocks, and make the buy and sell decisions."
