Application: Short Answer

Part I:

Read the following hypothetical scenarios and prepare a written response with your recommendations on how to proceed. Be creative in your approach to answering the question, but also try to incorporate some kind of numerical analysis to back up your opinions. Also be prepared to answer general questions about the companies’ operations, such as what they produce or what kinds of services they provide.
Sources for information include any recent news, the investor relations page of the company’s website, Google and Yahoo Finance, The Motley Fool.


a) BP, the global gas and oil company headquartered in London, UK, has been in the news recently due to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010. This event has caused a more than 50% drop in BP’s stock price. Some members on the Fund believe that the stock is undervalued and trading cheaply so we should take advantage and invest in its stock. What do the members mean when they say a stock is “undervalued or cheap”; how do you feel about investing in BP or oil in general? Weigh in on the conversation and give your personal recommendation. Remember to look at this issue through a financial perspective, as well as a social one.
b) SIF Board members have agreed that the fund should be more invested in online retail companies. There have been two proposals formally presented to the Board: buy 100 shares of Ebay or buy 20 shares of Amazon. Weigh in on the discussion and consider including financial analysis such as P/E ratio.

Part II:
As an introduction to the Fund you will be learning many new financial terms. Answer the following questions to the best of your ability and at the end cite your favorite websites and sources you used to find your answers:
What is meant by a portfolio? What different kinds of holdings are typically found in one? What is the concept of portfolio diversification?
Part III:
Choose an article in any financial publication relevant to the latest financial news, investment trends, etc. and be prepared to discuss in your interview. Please include the article or article URL in your application materials.