Stock Selection Criteria & Analysis Requirements

The Haile Stock Pitch Competition brings together some of the brightest minds from NKU and beyond to showcase their research, analytical skills, and creativity in front of a panel of judges. Teams of up to four students will select and analyze a publicly traded company, then deliver a concise stock pitch presentation highlighting why their chosen stock is a compelling investment opportunity. Each team will have 10 minutes to present, followed by judge Q&A and feedback. With a total prize pool of $4,500—including $2,500 for first place—the competition not only offers an exciting challenge but also valuable experience that mirrors the real-world work of financial analysts. Food and refreshments will be provided, and the event promises to be both competitive and collaborative, offering students a chance to learn, network, and put their skills to the test.

To ensure adequate market liquidity, data availability, and comparability across submissions, eligible stocks for the NKU Stock Pitch Competition are limited to publicly traded companies included in the S&P 1500 Index as of Monday, January 12, 2026. No additional sector, size, or geographic constraints apply beyond this requirement.

Each registered team will receive a Qualtrics Stock Selection Survey at the email address provided during registration. Teams will submit their selections through this survey during the designated Stock Picking Window(January 19th, 2026 through January 23rd, 2026).

The Stock Pitch Window will open at 8:00 AM EST on Monday January 19th.

Teams must submit three (3) stock selections, listed in order of preference. Stock assignments will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, determined by the timestamp of survey submission. If all three selected stocks have already been
assigned at the time of submission, the organizing committee will contact the team to request additional selections.

To stay informed of competition updates and announcements, teams and faculty advisors are encouraged to follow NKU Haile College of Business on LinkedIn.

Each team’s stock pitch must be supported by a clear, well-structured, and rigorous financial analysis. Submissions are expected to include, at a minimum, the following components:

• Trend Analysis: Teams must conduct a trend analysis using relevant historical financial and/or operating data. This analysis should identify meaningful patterns over time and explain how observed trends support or challenge the
  team’s investment thesis and recommendation.
• Ratio Analysis: Teams must perform a ratio analysis using appropriate financial ratios, which may include—but are not limited to—profitability, liquidity, leverage, efficiency, and valuation ratios. Ratios should be interpreted in context and, where appropriate, compared across time periods, peer companies, or relevant industry benchmarks.
• Financial Modeling: Each submission must include at least one formal valuation model. Acceptable models include,
  but are not limited to:
  • Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis
  • Dividend Discount Model (DDM)
  • Comparable company or multiple-based valuation

All key assumptions must be clearly stated, well-supported, and internally consistent.

The financial analysis should directly support the team’s investment thesis and final recommendation. All assumptions must be reasonable, transparent, and defensible. The requirements outlined above establish a baseline expectation; teams are encouraged to exceed these requirements where appropriate through deeper analysis, sensitivity testing, or additional valuation methodologies.

Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
Time: 9 am - 4 pm EST
Where: NKU: University Center, Room 375