A student investment contest backed by Point72 Asset Management and BlackRock is gaining traction as a recruitment channel for identifying emerging finance talent in Japan, where firms face a tightening graduate labour market and shifting career preferences, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The Gyoseki competition, now in its fourth year, tasks university students with analysing listed companies and producing earnings forecasts based on fundamental research. Participants often conduct fieldwork such as visiting stores to assess pricing, product positioning and consumer behaviour.
Founded by former Point72 portfolio manager Hironobu Katoh, the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between global investment standards and Japan’s domestic talent pool. With demand for graduates exceeding supply and finance losing appeal to sectors such as technology and consulting, firms are increasingly turning to alternative hiring channels.
The programme offers students exposure to real-world investment analysis, while providing asset managers with early access to potential recruits. Executives from both BlackRock and Point72 say the contest has already produced interns and junior hires through participant networks.
A key focus of the competition is traditional bottom-up equity research, including company fundamentals, competitive dynamics and macroeconomic factors. Organisers say this helps build core analytical skills, even as AI becomes more widely used in investment workflows.
This year, around 300 students participated, forming teams to analyse Japanese consumer companies and submit forecasts later compared with actual results. Finalists were selected based on the accuracy and quality of their analysis.
While the prize money is limited, participants say the real value lies in networking and career opportunities. Several past competitors have gone on to roles at major global firms, reinforcing the contest’s growing role as a talent pipeline for the industry.
