The first term of the WFS 2025/2026 executive cohort marked the launch of the Warwick Finance Societies’ Investment Fund, a new division created to develop rigorous, fundamentals-driven investment capability within the Society.

During the term, the Fund competed in the Oxford Varsity Pitch Competition, followed by the UBS Stock Pitch Competition. In both competitions, the team recommended a short thesis on Charter Communications (NYSE: CHTR), grounded on detailed industry, operating, and valuation analysis. While the pitches did not culminate in competition awards, the thesis has since played out materially in the market, with Charter’s share price declining from $267.04 to today's price of $209.71, illustrating a 21% return over 4 months. A massive thanks to Aaron Bird, Taksh Shrivastava, and especially to Junsu Lim for their contributions to this pitch, which has been attached below; for access to the model which includes a reverse DCF, alongside the team's own projections, please reach out directly to the team!

Further, the fund constructed an acquisition pitch proposing Marqeta (NASDAQ: MQ) as a strategic acquisition target for Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS). The analysis focused on the strategic value of integrating a scalable, API-driven B2B and embedded payments platform within Goldman Sachs’ broader transaction banking, consumer payments, and institutional client infrastructure. For access to this pitch, please reach out to either Adam Salem or Francisco Alonso Rubel!

Beyond competitions, the Fund’s primary focus has been on establishing a framework for a sustainable, long-term, student-led fund. The team has since made substantial progress towards creating a Warwick Student-Union approved investment fund, designed to operate to professional standards of governance, analytical rigour, and risk discipline for future cohorts.

Looking ahead, the Fund will continue to compete nationally and internationally in a range of finance competitions, whilst publishing in-depth equity research reports and building a medium to long-term investment portfolio.