Ali Alexander, a student of the Management Program at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) UGM, achieved a remarkable feat by securing the first runner-up position in the ASEAN Investment Challenge 2024. This prestigious competition, organized by CGS International, took place on February 12-13, 2025, at Bursa Malaysia, Exchange Square, Bukit Kewangan, Kuala Lumpur.
The event attracted over 5,000 participants from across the ASEAN region, including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and other countries. Contestants had to undergo a rigorous selection process, starting from registration to the submission of their investment strategies.
Ali’s journey to success was far from easy. Before reaching the regional level, he had to compete at the national level from October 21 to November 29, 2024. A student from the Class of 2021, he emerged as the national champion after outperforming thousands of students from various universities in Indonesia, earning the opportunity to represent the country in the regional finals. The top three participants from each nation advanced to the final round.
Ali explained that the competition required participants to design an optimal investment strategy aimed at maximizing returns amid economic uncertainty. One of the key challenges was constructing an equity portfolio that not only outperformed the IHSG Composite Index but also adhered to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. Additionally, the portfolio needed to maintain a high margin of safety while effectively capitalizing on corporate actions such as mergers and acquisitions.
Under the guidance of I Wayan Nuka Lantara, M.Si., Ph.D., Prof. Dr. Tandelilin Eduardus, M.B.A., Rr Tur Nastiti, M.Si., Ph.D., and Eddy Junarsin, Ph.D., CFP, Ali successfully navigated these challenges by applying a strategy rooted in in-depth fundamental analysis. In constructing his portfolio, he prioritized stocks of companies with high growth potential that were undervalued relative to their intrinsic value. This approach minimized downside risk while maximizing potential returns. Additionally, he strategically leveraged corporate actions such as mergers and acquisitions, which often trigger price spikes.
“This strategy proved effective during certain trading periods and led to significantly better performance than the market index,” Ali said on Monday (Feb. 17, 2025).
With a disciplined approach, Ali’s portfolio not only outperformed the IHSG but also adhered to ESG principles, a key requirement of the competition.
Ali acknowledged that his victory was hard-earned, as he faced immense pressure from fierce competition and dynamic market conditions. However, his ability to remain calm and focused throughout the competition enabled him to effectively overcome these challenges.
“I am truly grateful for the support from various parties, especially FEB UGM, which helped me prepare for this competition. Moving forward, I hope to continue developing my investment skills and contribute to the advancement of sustainable investing,” he said.
Ali Alexander’s achievement in the ASEAN Investment Challenge 2024 stands as a testament to the capability of Indonesian students, particularly those from FEB UGM, to compete on an international stage.
Report by: Orie Priscylla Mapeda Lumalan
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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