Real-world academics

The Krause Fund blends a challenging finance elective with an endowed equity portfolio. Our student analysts dive into the economy, explore industries, research companies, and build extensive valuation models using the same techniques as the professionals. This semester-length project culminates with a presentation to a team of financial professional for possible inclusion in the Krause Fund portfolio.

Spring 2025 analysts

The student analysts managing our fund are enrolled in Applied Equity Valuation, which seeks to make students experts in the valuation techniques and analytical tools used by real-world analysts. Students work in teams to evaluate companies based on industry and provide detailed investment recommendations.

Analysts employ a top-down approach to research that integrates economic, industry, and company analysis, and use valuation techniques including discounted cash flow (DCF), economic value added (EVA), relative multiple (P/E, P/B, PEG ratio), and fundamental multiple analysis. Finally, all models are sensitivity tested against critical assumptions.

At the end of the course, analysts deliver investment presentations to our Investment Advisory Committee.

Health Care (PFE & LLY)

Arbanas, William
Bloss, Joseph
Graham, Tyler
Peterson, Jackson

Pfizer Inc. (pdf)
Eli Lilly & Co. (pdf)

Utilities (NEE & CEG)

Clark, Cameron
Kellogg, Max
Mohr, Josh
Richardson, Noah

NextEra Energy Inc. (pdf)
Constellation Energy Corp. (pdf)

Financial Services (CNA & AXP)

Arnold, Meredith
Vertin, Megan
Padron Reyes, Lino
Pullam, Owen
Zuniga, Sebastian

CNA Financial Corp. (pdf)
American Express Co. (pdf)

Consumer Discretionary (CMG & WYNN)

Karcz, Zach
Klein, Will
Pittman, Jeremiah
Vande Yacht, Mason

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (pdf)
Wynn Resorts Limited (pdf)

Industrials (LMT) & Real Estate (DLR)

Cavaliere, Ricky
Hopkins, Ian
Liu, Steven
Williams, Max

Lockheed Martin Corp. (pdf)
Digital Realty Trust Inc. (pdf)

Communications (GOOGL) & Technology (QCOM)

Rial, Carter
Wells, Warren
Wilson, Miles
Wuebker, Brooke

Alphabet Inc. (pdf)
Qualcomm Inc. (pdf)

Consumer Staples (GIS & KDP)

Abbas, Cora
Noble, Andrew
Rutz, Jack
Thelander, Joe

General Mills Inc. (pdf)
Keurig Dr. Pepper Inc. (pdf)

Industrials (JCI & URI)

Jensen, Eric
Kuehl, Jack
Wu, Haoran
Wunder, Wyatt

Johnson Controls International plc (pdf)
United Rentals Inc. (pdf)

Technology (ASML & FTNT)

Hebert, Keegan
Jenkins, Gavin
Mugisha, Euan
Quintero, Julian

ASML Holding N.V. (pdf)
Fortinet Inc. (pdf)

Technology (CRM & TMUS)

Bravo, Vanessa
Kenevan, Jake Ryan
Lokinu, Charlotte
Owens, Madison

Salesforce Inc. (pdf)
T-Mobile US Inc. (pdf)

Investment Advisory Committee

Our Investment Advisory Committee plays a key role in management of the Krause Fund. Students present their final research to the board each semester and the committee mentors our students while helping to prepare them for financial services careers. 

Paige Brincks

Aligned Investors

Bryce Engelbart, CFA

AEGON Asset Management

John Heinrich, CFA

UI Center for Advancement

Tim Insko

Wealth Enhancement Group

Tim Insko

Wealth Enhancement Group

Ryan Jordan

Principal Asset Management

Kayla Kremer, CFA

AEGON Asset Management

Mark McLaughlin, CFA

Bank of America

Jonah Parker, CFA

AEGON Asset Management

Emily Phelps, CFA

AEGON Asset Management

Aaron Schaefer

Hills Bank & Trust Co.

James F. Wessels, CPA, CFA

Vision Financial Group

Catherine Zaharis, CFA

Tippie College of Business

More fund research

Fall 2024

Spring 2024

Fund overview

The Krause Fund was created in 1998 when Bill Krause, founder and CEO of the Krause-Gentle Corporation, made a generous donation to the University of Iowa and other schools in the state to establish undergraduate student-managed equity funds. These schools compete in the Krause Investment Challenge, an annual contest matching the performance of each institution's portfolio during the academic year.

Our portfolio and performance

To review the year-to-date performance of our active portfolio holdings, view our Google spreadsheet. The document also contains information on our historical performance dating back to 1999.

View the portfolio