business

Story Behind a Stock: MicroStrategy (MSTR) — Business Intelligence Meets Bitcoin

Story Behind a Stock: MicroStrategy (MSTR) — Business Intelligence Meets Bitcoin

Vladimir Kazakov via iStockPhoto Introduction MicroStrategy (NASDAQ: MSTR) is often associated with Bitcoin and is called by some as the next Gamestop for its rise in stock price of approximately 359% this year. However, what exactly does this company do, and why has its stock price soared? This article is part of a series exploring companies whose stocks attract significant market attention, focusing on what they do and the unique strategies that have captured market attention. The goal is not to make investment recommendations but to deliver insights into industries and market trends for Vanderbilt students. MicroStrategy’s Origins and Core…
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The Rise of the New Kings of Wall Street: How Quant Firms Are Redefining the Financial Landscape and Their Impact on College Students

The Rise of the New Kings of Wall Street: How Quant Firms Are Redefining the Financial Landscape and Their Impact on College Students

AndreyKrav via iStockPhoto For decades, the financial world was dominated by traditional investment banks like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and JP Morgan. These institutions were synonymous with Wall Street success, wielding immense power and influence over the financial markets. However, a significant shift has taken place over the past decade, and a new breed of trading firms—Susquehanna International Group, Jane Street, and Citadel Securities—have quietly usurped the old guard. These firms, known as “quantitative trading firms” or simply “quant firms,” have transformed Wall Street by leveraging cutting-edge technology and data-driven strategies. They dominate the market through high-frequency trading (HFT)—a method…
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Vanderbilt University’s NYC Property

Vanderbilt University’s NYC Property

-Albachiaraa- via iStockPhoto Vanderbilt University recently acquired 13 buildings and 150,000 square feet of property in Chelsea, NYC via a 99-year lease with the General Theological Seminary. Chancellor Diermeier announced that this space will be part of an expansion plan across a number of states and countries to expand opportunities for Vanderbilt students, faculty, alumni, and supporters. Another goal of this expansion into NYC is to benefit the city and neighborhood. Making a commitment of this magnitude is exciting and the possible opportunities are almost limitless. Students might be able to use this space to explore new career opportunities, explore…
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Investing at Vanderbilt

Investing at Vanderbilt

tadamichi via iStockPhoto The stock market is a staple of American life. Movies like The Big Short or the Wolf of Wall Street have become elements of pop culture, and the Wall Street Journal currently has over 4 million subscribers. This global phenomenon is currently present in many different facets of our lives. In fact, there is an entire sector of jobs that are based on reading and predicting the stock market for other people.   All of this is to say that the stock market has become a global phenomenon over the years. Better yet, it provides everyday people like…
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Coke vs. Pepsi: The Battle for University Soda Machines 

Coke vs. Pepsi: The Battle for University Soda Machines 

Nutthaseth Vanchaichana via iStockPhoto The age-old rivalry that has long divided the nation: Coke vs. Pepsi. Some claim they taste the same, while others say they are incomparable. Those with a strong preference for one of the two find themselves in unfortunate situations when the waiter replies, “sorry, we don’t carry [preferred cola drink], just [undesired cola drink].” For the consumer who enjoys both Coke and Pepsi alike, this poses no real inconvenience. But for consumers on either end of the spectrum, the lack of their favorite cola turns day into night. Now imagine a die hard Coke-lover coming to…
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How Nashville Businesses Market Themselves to College Students: Student Deals and Discounts

How Nashville Businesses Market Themselves to College Students: Student Deals and Discounts

csfotoimages via iStockPhoto When you ask someone about Nashville, “college town” will probably not be their chosen descriptor. With its incredible music scene, fabulous restaurants, and all sorts of attractions, Nashville is often known for its tourism, drawing people from all over to experience the city’s unique culture.  One might think that tourists are then the main focus of local businesses, but the greater Nashville area is also home to roughly 9 colleges, making college students an important market for Nashville businesses. But how do businesses attract these college kids? And, likely most important to you, which businesses do this? …
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The Consolidation of Online Streaming

The Consolidation of Online Streaming

mphillips007 via iStockPhoto The way we watch TV and movies is changing. Before the 1980s, people often relied on broadcast TV for their shows and movies. This free, ad-supported television broadcasted to homes and typically included three-to-four national and two-to-three local channels. Next, cable was invented, and for a monthly subscription, users could access hundreds of channels and additional content for a paid subscription.  The Shift to Streaming  As recently as 2016, almost 100 million homes had cable TV. Then, streaming emerged, significantly changing how we consume TV and movies. When streaming started to dominate, the first main platform was…
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Is CAVA the next Chipotle?

Is CAVA the next Chipotle?

Photo taken by Jeremy Rosenkranz Background & History With Campus Dining receiving lots of backlash in the first few weeks of the 2024-2025 school year, many students are opting to dine at the multitude of popular chain restaurants surrounding the campus. The most notable of these chains are CAVA and Chipotle, restaurants which specialize in bringing quality ingredients to fast-casual dining. Although their respective cuisines are very different (Chipotle being Mexican while Cava is Mediterranean), the two restaurants have both developed cult-like fan bases, strong social media presences, and have investors throwing money at them. When Chipotle was founded in…
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Why Vanderbilt’s Negotiation Class is Worth Considering for Any Student

Why Vanderbilt’s Negotiation Class is Worth Considering for Any Student

Image generated using Midjourney AI The business minor at Vanderbilt is a popular choice for students who are interested in business, and among the many business electives students can take, BUSA 3105 (Negotiation) stands out. Offered in both fall and spring semesters within the Business Pathways category, this class has no prerequisites or corequisites, making it appealing to first-year students and those still undecided about pursuing a business career. Should you consider taking this class? This article aims to provide additional information on this class beyond what is in the course description and offer a recommendation in the end. What…
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