What's it like to participate in the world's largest trading competition? Five Goodman students attended the Rotman International Trading Competition (RITC) in February 2014 where they spent three days trading in a situation that closely mimics the different aspects of real world markets. We connected with graduate students Ghazanfar Qureshi (MBA) and Tunji Adeniran (MAcc) to learn more about this fast-paced competition. The pair attended the competition with classmate Kshitij Verma (MBA), Tashfin Bashar (MBA) and BBA Finance students Johnathan Holland and Timothy Adams.
The Rotman competition included six different cases. What were the six cases?
Tunji: The cases are: Option Trading, Quantitative Outcry, Sales Trading, Algorithm, BP Commodities, and CIBC Yield Curve.
Goodman placed third in the individual sub heat for the Options Trading case. Why do you think the Goodman team is so strong in options trading?
Ghazanfar: When we first started the options trading case, we needed someone with past experience. I have had trading experience since my days in college. I knew certain strategies from attending RITC last year as well so my insight on placing limits at the right time and how and when to execute them really helped.
What was your favourite part of the competition?
Ghazanfar: I think the opportunity to engage with others while working in a team environment was the best part of the competition. Working with unique individuals I can relate to and call my fellow Goodman team members gave me a sense of pride to uphold at the competition.
Tunji: My favourite parts are the quantitative outcry and option trading as it gave us the opportunity to witness the traditional method of trading before the advent of electronic trading.
Are you planning on a career in finance? If so, how will your participation in Rotman help you in your future career?
Ghazanfar: I am planning a career in finance and the RITC will help me put the different cases into perspective of real life scenarios. I now know better how to go about choosing a career in finance.
Tunji: Yes, (I agree). I am planning to have a career as Investment Banker or Portfolio Manager.
Any tips for next year’s Rotman team?
Tunji: Practice and (plan your) strategy!
Ghazanfar: You can never know too much about trading and your professors and colleagues are there to help you further understand the RITC platform and cases.
