Ali Alexander, an undergraduate student from the UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), earned another proud achievement during the ASEAN Investment Challenge 2024.
A 2021 cohort student of the Management Program, Alexander successfully claimed the Champion title in Indonesia at the prestigious competition organized by CGS International Sekuritas Indonesia and CGS International Securities Group in Jakarta.
This victory at the national level grants him the opportunity to represent Indonesia at the regional competition, which will take place in January 2025. Additionally, Alexander was awarded a coaching fund worth IDR 70,000,000.
The ASEAN Investment Challenge is a leading annual investment competition organized by CGS International. This competition aims to enhance students’ understanding of sustainable investing and contribute to building a strong stock market in the future.
With the theme “Your Galaxy, Your Way!,” this year’s country-level competition took place over four months, from August to November 2024. As one of the premier investment competitions in Southeast Asia, the ASEAN Investment Challenge 2024 attracted more than a thousand students from across Indonesia.
The competition is divided into two stages: the country level and the regional level. At the country level, participants from various nations, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, compete in a series of investment challenges.
This stage consists of participant registration, a learning journey, and the country-level challenge, which lasts six weeks (October 21 – November 29, 2024). The top three winners from each country will represent their respective countries at the regional-level challenge scheduled for January 2025.
The main challenge in this competition was to design an optimal investment strategy to maximize profits amid economic uncertainty.
In solving this case, participants were required to build an efficient stock portfolio with returns greater than the IDX Composite, considering diversification, adhering to ESG (environmental, social, governance) criteria, maintaining a high margin of safety, and identifying opportunities from companies involved in corporate actions, such as acquisitions or mergers.
Alexander successfully overcame these challenges by implementing a strategy based on in-depth fundamental analysis. To avoid downside risks, he prioritized companies with high growth potential and undervalued stocks.
Additionally, Alexander was keen to spot opportunities from corporate actions such as acquisitions or mergers that could significantly drive up stock prices. With the proposed solution, Alexander managed to build a portfolio with returns higher than the IDX Composite while supporting ESG sustainability principles.
“This strategy has proven effective over a certain trading period and has delivered a performance far superior to market indices,” he explained recently.
Despite emerging as the champion, Alexander’s journey to victory was not easy. He admitted to facing immense pressure during the competition, coming from the tight competition with other participants and the pressure to make the right investment decisions.
However, he managed to navigate the lengthy competition process and win by staying focused and composed. He also felt confident in the strategy he had crafted.
Alexander revealed that he prioritized fundamental analysis in selecting stocks from companies with significant potential, including those involved in or planning corporate actions like acquisitions or mergers.
With confidence in this research-based approach, he handled the competition’s pressure and made calculated decisions. This strategy proved effective, allowing him to achieve higher returns than the IDX Composite.
Alexander received support from many parties in preparing for this competition. In his preparation for the regional level, Alexander received guidance from Dr. Eddy Junarsin, a lecturer at FEB UGM, who had previously helped him study valuations for finance competitions in his third semester.
Alexander hopes to give his best on the ASEAN regional stage.
“I am proud to have won this title. For the next stage, I kindly ask for everyone’s support to continue progressing well and win the competition,” Alexander added.
Alexander’s achievement is concrete proof that one can achieve one’s dreams with hard work, perseverance, and the right strategy. His success not only brings pride to FEB UGM but also inspires all Indonesian students to dare to try new things and face challenges.
Reporters: FEB UGM/Najwah Ariella Puteri & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afif