James is available for hire
Hire JamesJames P. McFadden
Verified Expert in Finance
Finance Expert
Location
Las Vegas, NV, United States
Toptal Member Since
September 6, 2017
A Wharton MBA with graduate and undergraduate degrees in aeronautical and civil engineering, Jim ran J.P. Morgan's North American equity proprietary trading desk and managed $1 billion long-short energy stock portfolios at J.P. Morgan and Amaranth while generating double-digit returns. Jim is an award-winning analyst and antitrust expert who freelances to help companies and investors successfully deploy their investments.
Career Highlights
Long-Short Equity Portfolio Manager
Amaranth Advisors
Managing Director, Electric Utilities Analyst
Bear Stearns
Education Highlights
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Master's Degree
Air Force Institute of Technology
Bachelor's Degree
University of Notre Dame
Certification Highlights
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
NYSSA | CFA Society of New York
Case Studies
Industry Expertise
Other Expertise
Work Experience
Principal Consultant
2013 - PRESENT
McFadden Consulting
- Prepared a detailed analysis of the natural gas supply-demand implications of all natural gas pipelines to be built in the Marcellus-Utica region for an energy-focused hedge fund.
- Researched and wrote in-depth company research reports on energy and stocks for hedge fund clients.
- Prepared a due diligence report on the prospective $40 million acquisition of natural gas local distribution company (LDC). The client made several bids for the LDC and the bidding process is ongoing.
- Prepared detailed business plan for a startup jewelry design and manufacturing company. Jewelry products were placed in many specialty stores in the fall of 2016.
Focus areas: Natural Gas, Equity Research Analysis, Equity Research, Business Planning, Financial Markets, Financial Modeling
Consultant
2015 - 2017
Province, Inc.
- Provided a valuation opinion for Niche Media buyout. Financial modeling work resulted in an increase of the accepted bid of more than 100%.
- Performed antitrust research for distressed company clients which resulted in the filing of nearly $100 million in claims.
- Built a detailed financial model which projected cumulative lease overpayments by the grocery chain Fresh & Easy.
- Researched and wrote a white paper on the status of and potential for multi-million dollar recoveries for clients in "pay-for-delay" generic drug price-fixing cases.
- Prepared detailed financial analysis on Toshiba's exposure to fixed-price nuclear generating plant construction contracts.
Focus areas: Valuation, Financial Regulations, Antitrust Laws
Head of North American Equity Proprietary Trading
2006 - 2012
J.P. Morgan
- Managed all research and trading for $1 billion long-short energy equity portfolio, generating consistent 12% to 15% annual returns.
- Built out the trading desk, including infrastructure and talent recruitment. Recruited four senior portfolio managers.
- Oversaw the positions and total portfolio limits of 15 junior and senior portfolio managers.
- Managed risk in the overall portfolio and determined net long-short exposure.
Focus areas: Hedging, Risk, Portfolio Management, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
Long-Short Equity Portfolio Manager
1999 - 2006
Amaranth Advisors
- Oversaw a six-person research and trading team which managed a $1.4 billion long-short fund with average annualized returns well into the double digits.
- Helped build up the firm from $200 million in assets under management in 1999 to $6 billion in 2006.
- Managed all risk in the portfolio with an extensive experience in the analysis, design, and implementation of hedging strategies.
- Hired and trained junior analysts who became experienced senior analysts.
- Prepared monthly investment performance summaries for investors and Amaranth management.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling, Financial Statements, Risk Analysis, Investment Portfolio Management
Co-portfolio Manager, Head of Research for Long-short Equity Utility Stock Fund
1995 - 1999
SILCAP Investments
- Headed a three-man research team, helping a $700 million fund to realize consistent double-digit returns.
- Hired, developed, and trained three junior analysts.
- Created a financial modeling framework for the firm to determine long/short stock selections.
- Headed the firm's expansion in research and trading activities into gas utilities from its prior focus on electric utilities.
Focus areas: Risk Analysis, Investment Portfolio Management, Equity Research, Investment Analysis, Financial Modeling
Managing Director, Electric Utilities Analyst
1992 - 1995
Bear Stearns
- Provided buy-and-sell recommendations on electric utility stocks to the firm's clients.
- Wrote numerous company-specific and utility research reports and marketed the key ideas in those reports to large institutional investors.
- Recognized by the Institutional Investor magazine as a two-time All-Star Analyst in 1994 and 1995.
- Sourced the China electric generating plant (CEPA) deal. Bear Stearns privately placed $500 million of stock in CEPA with qualified investors.
- Quoted frequently in the Wall Street Journal, Barron's magazine and other prominent financial publications.
Focus areas: Equity Research, Financial Modeling, Financial Statements, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Investment Summaries
Vice President, Electric Utilities Analyst
1990 - 1992
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
- Provided buy-and-sell recommendations on electric utility stocks to the firm's clients.
- Wrote numerous company-specific and utility industry research reports.
- Advised the UK government on the privatization and valuation of the country's electricity generation, transmission and distribution systems. The $300 billion privatization had an initial average P/E valuation of 12x to 13x, in line with the recommended valuation.
- Hired and supervised two junior analysts.
- Made numerous investment presentations to the firm's traders and salespeople.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling, Investment Summaries, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Financial Statements
Education
1985 - 1987
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA, USA
1982 - 1984
Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering
Air Force Institute of Technology - Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH, USA
1978 - 1982
Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering
University of Notre Dame - Notre Dame, IN, USA
Certifications
OCTOBER 1991 - PRESENT
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
NYSSA | CFA Society of New York
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