Historical Volatility

In this article, Saral BINDAL (Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, 2024-2028 & Research Assistant at ESSEC Business School) explains the concept of historical volatility used in financial markets to represent and measure the changes in asset prices. Introduction Volatility in financial markets refers to the degree of variation in an asset’s … Read more

The “lemming effect” in finance

In this article, SHIU Lang Chin (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), 2024-2026) explains the “lemming effect” in financial markets, inspired by the animated movie Zootopia. About the concept The “lemming effect” refers to situations where individuals follow the crowd unthinkingly, just as lemmings are believed to follow one another off a … Read more

My apprenticeship experience as an Executive Assistant in Internal Audit (Inspection Générale) at Bpifrance

In this article, Iris ORHAND (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), 2021-2026) shares her professional experience as an Executive Assistant in Internal Audit (Inspection Générale) at Bpifrance (January – December 2025). About the company Bpifrance is France’s public investment bank, created in 2012 through the merger of several state-backed institutions, and today … Read more

“It’s not whether you’re right or wrong that’s important, but how much money you make when you’re right and how much you lose when you’re wrong.” – George Soros

In financial markets, everyone wants to be right. The temptation to make accurate predictions, about earnings, interest rates, recessions, or stock prices, is universal. But as George Soros reminds us, accuracy alone is meaningless. What truly matters is how much you profit when you’re right, and how much you lose when you’re wrong. This quote … Read more

November 2025: Top Posts of the SimTrade Blog

Most Read Posts Please find below the top 5 read posts from the SimTrade blog:    ▶ Anant JAIN Top 12 FMCG Companies Worldwide: Growth, Market Share, and Investment Opportunities    ▶ Akshit GUPTA Analysis of the Margin Call movie    ▶ Liner SHI Analysis of Visa’s Business Model and Market Prospects    ▶ Federico DE ROSSI Understanding the … Read more

My Internship Experience at ISTA Italia as an In-House M&A Intern

In this article, Ian DI MUZIO (ESSEC Business School, Master in Finance (MiF), 2025–2027) shares his professional experience as an In-House M&A Intern within the Corporate Development team at ISTA Italia in Milan (May–July 2025). Introduction Joining ISTA Italia placed me at the intersection of energy efficiency, smart metering, and consolidation strategy in a sector … Read more

Managing Corporate Risk: How Consulting and Export Finance Complement Each Other

In this article, Julien MAUROY (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), 2021-2025) shares technical knowledge on risk management in the business world based on his experiences. The concepts of financial risk in business, risk management, and risk analysis will be presented. All of this information is drawn from my experiences and supported … Read more

The role of DCF in valuation

In this article, Roberto RESTELLI (ESSEC Business School, Master in Finance (MiF), 2025–2026) explains the role of discounted cash flow (DCF) within the broader toolkit of company valuation—when to use it, how to build it, and where its limits lie. Introduction to company valuation Valuation is the process of determining the value of any asset, … Read more

“In investing, what is comfortable is rarely profitable.” – Robert Arnott

In this article, Hadrien PUCHE (ESSEC Business School, Grande École Program, Master in Management, 2023-2027) comments on Robert Arnott’s famous quote, exploring how it relates to risk-taking, behavioral biases, and the mindset required to achieve consistent, long-term performance. About Robert Arnott Robert Arnott Source: Research Affiliates Robert D. Arnott (born 1954) is an American investor, … Read more

Religious imagery in finance: analysis of the book ‘Money’ by Émile Zola

In this article, William LONGIN (Sorbonne School of Economics, Master in Money Banking Finance Insurance, 2024-2026) discusses the religious imagery in finance contained in the book ‘Money’ (L’Argent) by Émile Zola. L’Argent Published in 1891, L’Argent (Money) is a book written by Émile Zola a 19th-century French novelist and journalist, known for founding the naturalist … Read more

My experience as a financial analysis assistant in China’s securities market

In this article, Tianyi WANG (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), 2022-2026) shares her professional experience as a Financial Analysis Assistant at a leading securities firm in China. About the company The securities company where I completed my internship is one of China’s leading investment banks and brokerage firms. Founded in 2005, … Read more

My internship at Valori Asset Management

In this article, Roberto RESTELLI (ESSEC Business School, Master in Finance (MiF), 2025–2026) shares key takeaways from a four‑month off‑cycle internship as an Investment Analyst Intern at Valori Asset Management, focusing on subordinated debt within the Fixed Income team. Introduction Before starting my Master in Finance at ESSEC Business School, I completed a four‑month off‑cycle … Read more

“The market is never wrong, only opinions are.“ – Jesse Livermore

In this article, Hadrien Puche (ESSEC, Grande École, Master in Management, 2023–2027) comments on Jesse Livermore’s timeless quote and explores its relevance for modern investors and students seeking to understand market psychology. About Jesse Livermore Jesse Livermore (1877–1940) was one of Wall Street’s first great speculators, a man who understood the rhythm of markets long … Read more

“Don’t look for the needle in the haystack. Just buy the haystack.“ – John Bogle

Over the past decade, investing has become more accessible than ever. Anyone with a smartphone can now buy or sell shares, cryptocurrencies, or ETFs within seconds. While this democratization of finance has clear benefits, it has also led many to lose money by chasing “the next big stock.” Retail investors often believe they can find … Read more

Top 5 companies in the luxury sector

In this article, Nithisha CHALLA (ESSEC Business School, Grande Ecole Program – Master in Management (MiM), 2021-2024) delves into the top five companies in the luxury sector by market capitalization and provides information into their origins, latest announcements, and notable developments to provide financial professionals and students with actionable insights. Introduction: The State of the … Read more

“Price is what you pay, value is what you get.“ – Warren Buffett

In this article, Hadrien PUCHE (ESSEC Business School, Grande École Program, Master in Management, 2023-2027) comments on Warren Buffett’s famous quote about the fundamental difference between price and value, and discusses how this distinction remains crucial for modern investors navigating today’s volatile markets. About Warren Buffett Warren Buffett is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire … Read more

Overview of US Treasuries

In this article, Nithisha CHALLA (ESSEC Business School, Grande Ecole Program – Master in Management (MiM), 2021-2024) gives an overview of US Treasuries, their types, characteristics, and advanced applications. Introduction US Treasuries are a cornerstone of global financial markets, serving as a benchmark for risk-free investments and a safe-haven asset during times of economic uncertainty. … Read more

My professional experience as Head of Data Modelling

In this article, Rohit SALUNKE (ESSEC Business School, Grande Ecole Program – Master in Management, 2018-2021) shares his professional experience as Head of Data Modelling, leading advanced analytics, AI, and reporting solutions for a global investment organisation. About the company Tikehau Capital is a global alternative asset management group headquartered in Paris, France. Founded in … Read more

Academic perspectives on optimal debt structure and bankruptcy costs

In this article, Snehasish CHINARA (ESSEC Business School, Grande Ecole Program – Master in Management, 2022-2025) explores the academic evolution of capital structure theory, focusing on the delicate balance between debt and equity financing. Starting from the foundational Modigliani and Miller propositions, this post delves into how the introduction of real-world frictions—particularly bankruptcy costs and … Read more

Understanding organizations’ role in bargaining tariffs

In this article, Annie YEUNG (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA) – Exchange Student, 2025) explains about understanding tariff bargaining that involves international organizations, governments, and industries.. The World Trade Organization (WTO) The WTO was established in 1995 and is the most influential international organization in managing and negotiating for global trade. … Read more