University of Richmond MBA student aces television debut

July 24, 2007

For the second time in five weeks, a University of Richmond MBA student has appeared on CNBC's "Fast Money" program, earning top marks in a segment called "Grade the Trade."

Alex White was a guest on the program July 20, earning a score of "A-" in the segment. White was one of four MBA students from top business schools to appear on the live show. On June 15, Elizabeth Digges, also an MBA student from the university's Robins School of Business, earned an "A" for her quick thinking on the program.

Each student is provided a hypothetical economic scenario and asked to offer investment advice based on that information. Professional traders grade the recommendations. Also participating in Friday's segment were students from Purdue, University of Wisconsin and Boston College.

White's question was "Retail deal-making heats up as KKR buys Macy's and Eddie Lambert's Sears buys Safeway. What are you buying, what are you selling as this scenario unfolds?"

White said he would buy stock in Kohl's, Dillard's and Supervalu, as they were likely to be takeover targets in the near future. He would invest longer term in Wal-Mart. Panelist Jeff Macke, founder and president of Macke Asset Management, awarded White an A-.

White is a pharmaceutical representative with Pfizer. He received his undergraduate degree from University of Richmond in 2001and plans to complete his MBA degree in 2009.

"Grade the Trade" selects students from top business schools across the country. Schools featured in past episodes include Ohio State, Babson, William and Mary, University of Maryland and University of Texas.