This document outlines the requirements for a stock market project assignment. Students will be given $20,000 to invest in 4 publicly traded companies. They must submit an investment portfolio by May 19th showing the company name, stock symbol, share price, number of shares purchased, and total investment for each company. For the remainder of the semester, students must research their chosen companies and write a paper analyzing their financial performance, risks, growth opportunities, and current market outlook. The paper is due on July 21st and must follow specific formatting and section requirements.

1. Stock Market Project
BMGT 300
Points 200: weighted with exams
Due Dates: May 19 & July 21nd Hard Copies
You will be given $20,000 fictitious dollars to invest in four Publicly Traded Companies. Once you make
the choice of the four companies and the percentages to invest you will maintain your ownership for the
remained of the semester. On May 19th you will have to complete the following table. The following
table is an example. Do not exceed $20,000 and do not use fractional shares.
Company Name Stock Symbol
Price on
1/18
# of
shares total investment
% of
Portfolio
Apple AAPL 523.51 20 $ 10,470.20 52%
American Eagle Outfitters AEO 19.94 90 $ 1,794.60 9%
Cisco Systems CSCO 20.44 100 $ 2,044.00 10%
The Walt Disney
Company DIS 50.79 112 $ 5,688.48 28%
19,997.28
For the remainder of the semester you will research the four companies and write a paper. The paper is
due July 21nd. Hard Copies must be turned in.
Students are encouraged to look at financial websites such as yahoo finance and to access the most
recent annual report for each company. The notes to the financial statements will help you to answer
the questions below. Each report will be 7-12 pages in length typed, 12 point font, and single spaced.
A bibliography of sources is required. Cite your sources using APA style. If you are unsure how to cite
your work using APA formatting – please go to www.pointpark.edu; click on library; click on How to Cite
Your WorkNOTE: you will not receive full credit by merely listing a website (i.e.
http://www.pointpark.edu/default.aspx?id=2422 --- this is not APA formatting).
1. Title Page
a. include my name
b. your name
c. class date and time
d. list companies in your portfolio and stock symbols
2. Executive Summary
a. one page summary of your report.
3. Company overview (2-3 paragraphs per company)
a. For each company describe the product and services offered
b. for each company describe the customers
c. For each company describe the industry and competitors

2. d. For each company explain why you choose the company to be part of your portfolio and
why you choose the %
4. Financial Analysis
a. For each company look at the management discussion analysis and discuss the financial
strengths and weaknesses of the company
b. For each company has the company had net income for the past 5 years?
c. What new offerings, products, services, markets will contribute to upcoming growth?
5. Capital Structure
a. For each company discuss their capital structure
b. What is the debt to equity ratio?
c. How much long term debt do they have? How much short term debt?
d. What types of stock do they have?
e. Do you feel that there is too much debt?
6. Risk
a. For each company review the annual report and management discussion analysis to
determine any risks they face
7. Ratio’s (Morningstar.com is a good resource)
a. (for each company) List the major ratios found on page 57 of your text.
b. Write at least two paragraphs discussing the ratios.
8. Analyst Information
a. What are market analysts or news media saying about your companies? do you agree or
disagree
9. Current Information
a. (for each company) Read two recent news articles and summarize the content
10. Stock Log
a. Show a log of the stock price for each company once a week. Pick one day of the week
and show the following information.
Company Name Stock Symb#o olf shares 1/10/2013 value 1/10 1/4/2013 value 1/4 12/28/2013 value 12/28
Apple AAPL 20 523.51 10470.2 527 10540 509.59 10191.8
American Eagle Outfitters AEO 90 19.94 1794.6 20.65 1858.5 19.85 1786.5
Cisco Systems CSCO 100 20.44 2044 20.48 2048 19.45 1945
The Walt Disney Company DIS 112 50.79 5688.48 52.19 5845.28 49.15 5504.8
totals 19997.28 20291.78 19428.1
b. Discuss the changes in value to your portfolio.
c. Were there any economic, industry or company specific explanations to why your stock
values changed?
11. Reflection
a. What do you think of your four companies? Are they a good investment?
b. Would you have liked to have changed your portfolio at any time?
c. Do you think your portfolio was risky? Why or why not?
d. What did you learn?
12. Reference Page
a. Use APA style. If you need help go to the library website.