CFA RESEARCH CHALLENGE: SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET INITIATING REPORT

Abstract

The CFA research competition is a global competition that allows university teams to engage in financial analysis of a publicly traded company. This year the company chosen to analyze was Sprouts Farmers Market, a low cost, health-oriented grocer based out of Phoenix, Arizona. The competition included a visit with Sprouts management in Phoenix, research on Sprouts and the industry, and the creation of a research report with a buy/sell/hold recommendation on Sprouts’ stock. Our research report synthesized our research and issued a sell recommendation for the company based on an analysis of the industry, analysis of Sprouts strengths and weaknesses, analysis of macroeconomic conditions, risks, and a comprehensive valuation of Sprouts. After producing this research report our team presented our research to judges in Phoenix in a 10 minute presentation for the second part of the competition.