“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 defense 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 defense 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 Global Defense Landscape … 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

The Business Model of Proprietary Trading Firms

In this article, Anis MAAZ (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), 2023-2027) explains how prop firms work, from understanding their business model and evaluation processes, to fee structures and risk management rules. The goal is not to promise guaranteed profits, but to provide a transparent, realistic overview of how proprietary trading firms … Read more

The Art of a Stock Pitch: From Understanding a Company to Building a Coherent Logics

In this article, Dawn DENG (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), Smith-ESSEC Double Degree Program, 2024-2026) offers a practical introduction to building a beginner-friendly stock pitch—from selecting a company you truly understand, to structuring the investment thesis, and translating logic into valuation. The goal is not to produce “perfect numbers,” but to … Read more

Valuing the Delisting of Best World International Using DCF Modeling

In this article, Samuel BRAL (ESSEC Business School, Global BBA – Exchange at NUS, 2025) shares how he conducted a valuation of Best World International using a Discounted Cash Flow model in Excel. This modeling exercise was part of a corporate finance case during his exchange at the National University of Singapore. Context of the … 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

My professional experience as Business & Data Analyst at Tikehau Capital

In this article, Rohit SALUNKE (ESSEC Business School, Grande Ecole Program – Master in Management, 2018-2021) shares his professional experience as Business & Data Analyst at Tikehau Capital. About the company Tikehau Capital is a global alternative asset management group headquartered in Paris, France. Founded in 2004, it has become a multi-billion-euro investment house with … 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

Optimal capital structure with corporate and personal taxes: Miller 1977 

In this article, Snehasish CHINARA (ESSEC Business School, Grande Ecole Program – Master in Management, 2022-2025) explores the optimal capital structure for firms, which refers to the balance between debt and equity financing. This post focuses on how the impact of personal taxes on the firm capital structure. The author unpacks Miller’s 1977 proposition, which … Read more

Optimal capital structure with taxes: Modigliani and Miller 1963

In this article, Snehasish CHINARA (ESSEC Business School, Grande Ecole Program – Master in Management, 2022-2025) explores the optimal capital structure for firms, which refers to the balance between debt and equity financing. This post dives into the article written by Modigliani and Miller (1963) which explores the case of corporate tax and a frictionless … Read more

My internship experience at Partner plus Investments Limited

In this article, Annie YEUNG (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA) – Exchange Student, 2025) shares her summer internship experience at Partner Plus Investments Limited as the Junior Analyst. About the company Partner Plus Investments Limited is an asset management company particularly focusing on fund of funds company. Partner plus investments limited … Read more

Behavioral finance

In this article, Mahe FERRET (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), 2022-2026) explains the appeal and challenges of behavioral finance when investing. Introduction Behavioral finance is a psychological and economic finance field that allows us to understand how investors – individuals and institutions – make financial decisions. Unlike traditional finance, which assumes … Read more

My apprenticeship as Depositary Control Auditor at CACEIS Bank

In this article, Alexandre GANNE (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), 2025) shares his professional experience as Depositary Control Auditor at CACEIS Bank. About the company CACEIS Bank is a leading European financial institution specializing in asset servicing. A subsidiary of Crédit Agricole and Santander, CACEIS provides custody, depositary, and fund administration … Read more

Pricing Weather Risk: How to Value Agricultural Derivatives with Climate-Based Volatility Inputs

In this article, Mathias DUMONT (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), 2022-2026) explains how weather risk impacts the pricing of agricultural derivatives like futures and options, and how climate-based data can be integrated into stochastic pricing models. Combining academic insights and practical examples, including a mini-case from the SimTrade Blé de France … Read more

My Internship Experience at The Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism

In this article, Adelaide RIDER-NICHOLSON (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA) – Exchange Student, 2025) shares their internship experience with the Government of Canada at the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. They explore the structure of the Ministry, its mandate, and their involvement in policy research and community engagement projects. About the … Read more

Optimal capital structure with no taxes: Modigliani and Miller 1958

In this article, Snehasish CHINARA (ESSEC Business School, Grande Ecole Program – Master in Management, 2022-2025) explores the optimal capital structure for firms, which refers to the balance between debt and equity financing. This post dives into the article written by Modigliani and Miller (1958) which explores the case of no corporate tax and a … Read more