Welcome to the Penn State Trading Society
Penn State · Smeal College of Business
PSU Trading Society
We are an undergraduate organization focused on financial education, valuation, and market structure.
- Launched
- 2017
- Founder and President
Christopher R. Peckyno
Founding story
Built to teach how markets really work
The PSU Trading Society was founded in 2017 by Christopher R. Peckyno as an undergraduate at the Smeal College of Business, with a clear purpose: give Penn State students a structured, serious place to learn financial analysis, valuation, and market structure.
The Society paired a rigorous educational program with a strong community. Members learned to read financial statements, build valuation models, and defend a market view, and they did it alongside one another at Penn State football games and in support of THON.
Educational content
The curriculum
Six core subject areas, taught from first principles to market application, and 16 more across economics, markets, and careers.
Financial Accounting
Reading the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement as one connected system.
Explore topic →02Valuation
Relative and intrinsic approaches to estimating what a business is worth.
Explore topic →03Discounted Cash Flow Analysis
Building a DCF from projected free cash flow, a discount rate, and a terminal value.
Explore topic →04Technical Analysis
Price, volume, trend, and momentum as tools for timing and risk management.
Explore topic →05Behavioral Finance
How cognitive biases shape investor decisions and market prices.
Explore topic →06Market Commentary
Regular discussion of current markets, macro conditions, and notable company news.
Explore topic →Group events
Beyond the classroom
PSU Football Games
Game days at Beaver Stadium brought members together across years and majors, turning an educational program into a community.
View event history →THON
The Society joined the Penn State community’s THON effort in support of Four Diamonds and families affected by pediatric cancer.
View THON history →Networking with Partner Firms
Sessions and conversations with professionals from leading banks and asset managers.
View networking history →Stock Pitch Competitions
Members and alumni competed in stock pitch and case competitions at schools across the Big Ten and beyond.
View competition history →