The Horizons Exchange Traded Funds Investment Decision Centre (HIDC), located at the Ron Joyce Centre, offers a cutting-edge learning environment designed to provide students with real-world experience in portfolio management. The centre’s advanced technology mirrors tools used by professional portfolio managers, preparing students for careers in the financial industry.
The HIDC is equipped with 21 Thomson Reuters Eikon stations, Bloomberg terminals, and FTS software, enabling comprehensive data analysis and market simulations. Supported by feeds from Morningstar’s Canadian Portfolio Management System (CPMS) and Canada Newswire (CNW), students gain access to critical financial insights in real time.
The centre also features Investment Technology Group’s Triton® platform, a globally recognized trading system for equities and derivatives. It provides direct broker-neutral access to global markets and supports advanced order management, automated execution strategies, and performance analysis. Bloomberg access is available at all workstations, ensuring seamless research and trading capabilities.
Beyond student learning, the HIDC serves as a professional resource and training hub for the DeGroote School of Business’ MBA and Executive Education programs, as well as for the broader business community. The centre hosts a weekly Trader in Residence Program, where industry experts share valuable insights and answer challenging questions from students and alumni, enhancing their understanding of financial markets and investment strategies.
The HIDC continues to be a key asset in fostering financial expertise, bridging classroom learning with industry practice.
Hours of operation
The HIDC was made possible by a generous donation from Horizons Exchange Traded Funds (now Global X Investments Canada Inc.) and the company’s CEO and Founder, Adam Felesky, McMaster alumnus BA ’99 and B Eng. ’99.
Part of the Horizons ETFs gift to the DeGroote School of Business was also used to create the Horizons Exchange Traded Funds Speaker Series. The series attracts a high-level finance speaker to share his or her experience with students and practitioners each year. Mr. Felesky generously donates a $15,000 scholarship to one outstanding, newly admitted MBA student each year, through the DeGroote MBA Admission Scholarship Competition. This prestigious, invitation-only competition allows exceptional candidates to demonstrate their technical proficiency, problem-solving capabilities, and communication skills.
Students from across campus are welcome to attend seminars, use the trading centres, and apply for jobs there. Members of the community are also welcome to participate in seminars or to book the centres for meetings or presentations.
The technology at the centres is used for informational and teaching purposes only. You can’t use the floors to trade or invest using real money.
Cell phones, laptops and other communication devices are not allowed in the centres.
The trading centres can be booked for meetings and presentations. Prices are listed below. McMaster students, staff, and faculty may qualify for a discount.
Prime Time
When markets are open: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$250/hour or $1500/day (up to 8 hours)
Regular Time
Off-market hours and weekends
$125/hour or $750/day (up to 8 hours)
How to Book
For more information or to book a session, please contact us at gtf@mcmaster.ca or call us at (905) 525-9140 ext. 27760.
