Saluki Student Investment Fund

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Real Money. Real Experience.

Established in June 2000, the Saluki Student Investment Fund (SSIF) exists to provide SIU undergraduate students with hands-on experience in portfolio management and investment research. In order to enhance the academic experience of the students, the SSIF is structured to operate just as a real investment management firm would. Just as investment management firms act on behalf of their clients, SSIF students are focused on making the best investment decisions possible on behalf of their primary client, the SIU Foundation.

In order to manage the SIU Foundation’s portfolio, the SSIF has adopted an investing philosophy, a well-defined organizational strategy, and operating policies. The SSIF is divided into several market sectors teams, typically with one sector leader and 2-5 sector analysts. Within these teams, students are assigned the responsibility of researching, valuating, and making decisions for their sectors. Often, sector analysts are rotated between sectors to provide students with experience in several market sectors. A more in-depth explanation of the SSIF’s philosophy and organization can be found above under the ‘How the SSIF Invests’ tab.

As of September 2024, the SSIF had $4.7 million in assets under management. Of that amount, approximately $4.4 million is managed on behalf of their primary client, the SIU Foundation. The rest is managed in the COBA portfolio, which was generously donated by SIU alums Carol and Omar Winter.

For more information on the performance and condition of the Saluki Student Investment Firm, please explore our Newsletters and Annual Reports under our Documents tab.

Join SSIF

Membership Requirements

SSIF Application

 

Documents

FY 2024 Annual Report

FY 2023 Annual Report

FY 2022 Annual Report

FY 2021 Annual Report

FY 2020 Annual Report

2023 Newsletter

2022 Newsletter

2021 Newsletter

2020 Newsletter

Document Archives

SIU Foundation Portfolio

Performance Summary
As of September 30, 2024

Mid Cap Core Strategy
Benchmark: S&P 400 Midcap Index

  Quarter Calendar
YTD		 1-Year 3-Year 5-Year 10-Year 15-Year 20-Year Since
Inception
SSIF 9.33% 19.98% 35.40% 10.47% 14.55% 12.33% 14.19% 11.95% 9.52%
S&P 400 Benchmark* 6.94% 13.54% 26.79% 7.47% 11.78% 10.32% 12.30% 10.31% 9.60%
Difference 2.38% 6.44% 8.62% 3.00% 2.78% 2.01% 1.89% 1.65% -0.09%
Tracking Error**       4.77% 5.31% 4.79% 4.32% 3.93% 4.30% 5.12%
Information Ratio***   1.81 0.56 0.58 0.47 0.48 0.38 -0.02
Months>Benchmark   67% 53% 53% 54% 53% 52% 50%

Periods greater than one year are annualized.

Inception: June 30, 2000
* Performance of the benchmark is reported for the S&P Midcap 400 Total Return Index (Source: Bloomberg SPTRMDCP Index).
** Tracking error is annualized and based on monthly return differences relative to the benchmark.
*** Information ratio is the ratio of the annualized relative return divided by the tracking error.

SIU Foundation portfolio value as of September 30, 2024: $4,389,886.16

COBA PORTFOLIO

Performance Summary
As of September 30, 2024

  Quarter Calendar
YTD		 1-Year 3-Year 5-Year 10-Year Since
Inception
COBA 7.99% 21.72% 37.39% 13.89% 15.73% 12.78% 10.97%
S&P 500 Index* 5.89% 22.08% 36.35% 11.91% 15.98% 13.38% 7.94%
Difference 2.10% -0.36% 1.04% 1.98%  -0.25% -0.59% 3.03%
Tracking Error** 4.25% 5.42% 4.71% 4.68% 11.80%
Information Ratio***  0.24 0.37   -0.05 -0.13    0.26
Months>Benchmark  58%   56%    47%   47%    51%  

Periods greater than one year are annualized.

Inception: June 30, 2000
* Performance of the S&P 500 Total Return Index (Source: Bloomberg SPXT Index) is used for comparison purposes only. The COBA Portfolio does not have a formal mandated benchmark against which it is managed.
** Tracking error is annualized and based on monthly return differences relative to the S&P 500 Index. Due to incomplete monthly data for the portfolio during the period December 2001 through April 2004, S&P 500 Index returns were used in twelve separate months for the purposes of calculating tracking error. Therefore, tracking error is likely underestimated for periods that include the December 2001 through April 2004 period.
*** Information ratio is the ratio of the annualized relative return divided by the tracking error. See note regarding tracking error.

COBA portfolio value as of September 30, 2024: $310,868.63.