Westminster student investment account hits half million

Westminster College's Blue Blazers student investment group hit a milestone recently.

According to a press release from the school, a decision by the Blue Blazers Investment Committee to invest in Alibaba, along with other recent investments have elevated its stock portfolio to $500,000.

Founded by Westminster almnus and Board of Trustees member Brock Ayers in 1996, the Blue Blazers is a selective, student-maintained investment group that "encourages intellectual growth and educates undergraduates on the use of investment vehicles in capital markets," according to the press release. Members conduct research and buy and sell equities to build the investment portfolio.

The Blue Blazers' stock portfolio has achieved an 8.02 percent rate of return since it was started in 1996. The group's account currently consists of 44 equity positions, including Alibaba - a Chinese e-commerce company that started selling public stock this week.

According to the release, the Blue Blazers acquired 50 shares at IPO - the second IPO the group has participated in during its 18-year history - before the company's stock opened for public trading.

The Blue Blazers also own stock in companies such as Disney, Panera, Starbucks, Under Armour, Apple, GE and Google.

"I have seen our portfolio grow from $350,000 to this $500,000 milestone mark since I first became involved with the Blue Blazer Investment Committee in the spring of 2012," Will Megl, a senior economic and math major from Elsberry, who is CEO of the BBIC, said in the press release. "Our committee is currently comprised of over 40 student analysts that aid in the management of our portfolio on a week-to-week basis."

BBIC investments are used to finance trips to the financial markets in New York City and for students to attend professional meetings and conferences.