Members of a University finance group can’t stop thinking about the numbers and charts of the stock market – even when they should be sleeping.
“You wake up in the middle of the night thinking about it,” said Charles Larson, a member of the University of Oregon Investment Group. “You check your portfolio on the computer at 2 a.m. like a mad person.”
There’s a reason for Larson’s madness: The UOIG manages roughly $900,000 and will likely manage more than $1 million sometime this school year. UOIG recently beat 17 other schools in a competition funded by D.A. Davidson & Co. , a financial consulting firm based in Montana. UOIG, whose members say anyone can invest in the stock market, is welcoming new members and will hold an informational meeting tonightat 7 p.m. in 212 Lillis.
Each September UOIG starts with a balance of $50,000, which comes from DADCO. The student group is allowed to keep half of any profits in excess of $52,500. Money they earn is used to operate the group and was used to buy a Bloomberg Terminal in the group’s third-floor office in the Lillis Business Complex. The device resembles two computer screens and is used to monitor and analyze the financial market.
UOIG also manages two other portfolios. In 2001, the University Foundation and University donors asked UOIG to manage $450,000. That portfolio alone has grown to $828,000, UOIG member Darren Crook said. University alumnus Howard Svigals, a former Verizon chief financial officer, asked UOIG to manage $100,000 in 2005.
UOIG members say anyone can get on board with investing in the stock market, but they warn that plenty of risk is involved.

Director of Operations Matt Ross said the stock market gives investors the chance to hold the value of their money, despite rising inflation.
“If I want to put money aside for retirement and the inflation rate is going up 4 percent and I put a dollar aside, then next year it’s only worth 96 cents,” Ross said. “It’s a way to let money grow with inflation or faster than inflation.”
UOIG member Ben Brookins, who manages the DADCO portfolio, said there’s always a chance of losing money, especially for the average student who may not be familiar with financial statements.
“I wouldn’t put in more than you can lose,” said Crook. “If you really don’t know what you’re doing, don’t be afraid to lose some money.”
Larson said the stock market is about trying to value a company.
“We want to find companies that are trading below our analysis for some reason or another,” Larson said.
UOIG members say investors should try to invest for a long period of time.
“You don’t want to have a small gain and sell and celebrate,” Ross said. “You need to let your earnings keep earning.”
UOIG is currently recruiting new members. Anyone can join the group but must go through an applications process that includes an interview, Ross said. Members should be ambitious because they may spend 60 to 80 hours each term working for the group.
Larson said an analytical brain and math skills help, but members don’t have to be a business major. The group is also recruiting English and journalism majors to help create a newsletter.
Membership in the group allows students to gain valuable real-world experience, Larson said.
“It takes something real and tangible to an employer,” Larson said. “Aside from being able to answer their interview questions, you can actually show them something you did.”
The group, however, is not allowed to solicit or give specific investing advice on specific companies and stocks to students.
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