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James P. McFadden, Finance Expert in Las Vegas, NV, United States
James P. McFadden

Finance Expert in Las Vegas, NV, United States

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.
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Career Highlights

Education

Select Certifications

Case studies

Industry Expertise

  • Law Firms & Legal Services
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Financial Modeling
  • Capital Markets
  • Financial Markets
  • Natural Gas

Other Expertise

Employment

  • 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

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance
    1985 - 1987
    The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering
    1982 - 1984
    Air Force Institute of Technology - Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH, USA
  • Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering
    1978 - 1982
    University of Notre Dame - Notre Dame, IN, USA

Certifications

  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
    OCTOBER 1991 - PRESENT
    NYSSA | CFA Society of New York

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