Auburn Financial Management Association (FMA) placed first nationally in the 2025 Alta Fox Small-Cap Stock Pitch Competition on March 1, beating out 48 other collegiate teams. The winning FMA team consists of Grace Ann Tankersley, Hallie Ramsey, Hutch Sprayberry and Caroline McMichael, who are also members of the Auburn Student Investment Fund.

Competing teams had to select a stock with a market capitalization between $300 million and $5 billion and present an analysis supporting a buy recommendation. After the first round, 10 teams were invited to present their pitch to a panel of judges on March 1 in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Auburn’s FMA team recommended an investment in Logility Supply Chain Solutions, a company that specializes in providing supply chain optimization software and solutions. The Auburn students outperformed teams from Cornell University, Duke University, Georgetown University, and other high-achieving colleges in the finals.

Auburn FMA is an organization committed to preparing students for careers in finance through practical application training, business engagements, leadership seminars and corporate visits.

“Participating in these competitions has given me a way to give back to FMA,” said Tankersley, a senior majoring in finance. “The mentorship and guidance that FMA and Tracy Richard has provided me throughout my four years at Auburn has allowed me to represent the university in ways that open doors which may have otherwise remained closed.”

Tracy Richard, professor of practice and executive director of the Harbert Investment Center, acts as faculty advisor for FMA.

“I am so proud of Grace Ann, Hallie, Caroline, and Hutch for winning first place nationally at the Alta Fox small-cap stock competition,” Richard said. “This victory once again showcases the practical, hands-on approach of the Harbert College of Business and the exceptional talent of our students. FMA stays active in case competitions year-round, and this marks our third first-place title this school year.”

Earlier in the 2024-25 academic year, FMA teams won first-place titles at the Georgia State International Business Case Competition and the Harbert College Business Analytics Competition.

For Ramsey, who will graduate in May with degrees in finance and business analytics, stock pitch competitions like Alta Fox’s offer opportunities beyond just an experience.

“[Attending competitions] has definitely been a great networking opportunity where I got to meet a lot of industry professionals, often those working in banking, hedge funds, and private equity, who judge these competitions,” Ramsey said. “It’s so insightful to hear from them and learn their insights.”

Seniors Tankersley and Ramsey have been participating in stock pitch competitions for over a year, enabling them to act as mentors to sophomores McMichael and Sprayberry, who participated in their first competition in November.

“[The competition] definitely developed my analytical skills, and I was able to learn from seniors Hallie and Grace Ann,” said McMichael, a sophomore in finance and business analytics. “The experience taught me how to develop a strong pitch and form a convincing argument.”

Reflecting on the team’s achievements, Sprayberry emphasized a key takeaway that guided their success.

“I think one of the biggest lessons I learned is the importance of always driving to be the best version of yourself,” said Sprayberry, a sophomore in finance and accounting. “Seeing Auburn’s name alongside some of the most well-known business schools in the country was a proud moment for our team.”

Under Tankersley and Ramsey’s guidance, McMichael and Sprayberry are preparing to lead FMA members to success at future stock pitch competitions.

With a track record of success and strong mentorship, FMA constantly prepares to excel in future competitions.

“These experiences reinforce our commitment to preparing students for real-world financial analysis and investment decision-making at the highest level,” said Richard.