About Me
Stephen Owen is an Assistant Professor of Finance in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business at the University of North Texas. Dr. Owen's primary research interests are empirical asset pricing and financial econometrics. His research focuses on topics related to financial machine learning, multivariate asset analysis in both U.S. and international markets, portfolio optimization and management, high-performance computing applications, and textual analysis. In conjunction with his research, Dr. Owen has experience trading and investing in stocks, options, and cryptocurrencies. Dr. Owen teaches Financial Markets and Institutions (FINA 4400) at the undergraduate level and Python and Data Analytics for Finance (FINA 5250) at the graduate level, a new course he developed that is offered as of Fall 2022. Prior to joining the FIREL Faculty at UNT, Dr. Owen earned his Ph.D. in Finance from the Smeal College of Business, Pennsylvania State University. As part of his graduate education, he studied machine learning in asset pricing at the Stevanovich Center for Financial Mathematics, University of Chicago. Dr. Owen received his undergraduate training in Economics from Brigham Young University and completed the Pre-PhD Finance Program in the Marriott School of Business.
Professional Appointments
Assistant Professor of Finance, G. Brint Ryan College of Business, University of North Texas (2021-present).
Peer-Reviewed Publications
6. “An Analysis of Conditional Mean-Variance Portfolio Performance Using Hierarchical Clustering,” The Journal of Finance and Data Science, Vol. 9, 2023, 100112.
5. “Stock Price Reaction to Impromptu Managerial Soft Information in Conference Calls,” Journal of Behavioral Finance, 2023, 1-15.
4. “A Textual Analysis of Logograms in Chinese IPO Roadshows: How Agreement between Investors and Management Relates to Pricing and Performance,” with James C. Brau and James Cicon, International Journal of Financial Studies, Vol. 10, Iss. 2, 2022, p. 25.
3. “Financial Markets, Institutions, and Instruments: A Pedagogy for the 21st Century,” with James C. Brau, Journal of Financial Education, Vol. 48, No.1, 2022.
2. “The Impact of Video Gaming and Social Media on Finance Class Grades,” with James C. Brau, Logan Nielsen, and Isaac St. Clair, Journal of Financial Education, Vol. 47, No. 1, 2021, 1-20 (lead article).
1. “The Determinants of Student Performance in a University Marketing Class,” with Rebekah Inez Brau, James C. Brau, and Michael Swenson, Business Education Innovation Journal, Vol. 8, Iss. 2, 2016, 21-31 (from undergraduate program).
Working Papers
“Revisiting the International CAPM,” with Charles Cao, Timothy T. Simin, and Xiaopeng Wu.
“Municipal Bond Funds, Tax Distortions, and Marketability Risk,” with Meredith Rhodes and Melissa Woodley.
“Betting on Leverage,” with Kimberly Cornaggia, Timothy T. Simin, and Fatma Sonmez-Leopold.
“Visualizing Value: Prospectus Images and IPO Pricing,” with Shih-Hui Hsiao and Joseph J. Henry.
Academic Textbooks
Financial Analysis in Python, with James C. Brau, Andrew L. Holmes, Benjamin M. Blau, and Mark J. Keith, 2022, MyEducator.
Financial Markets, Institutions, and Instruments, with James C. Brau, 2021, MyEducator.
Teaching Honors
G. Brint Ryan College of Business Innovation in Teaching Award, University of North Texas, 2023.
Ossian R. MacKenzie Outstanding Teaching Award, Pennsylvania State University, 2020.
Teaching Experience
G. Brint Ryan College of Business, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Python and Data Analytics for Finance (FINA 5250, Graduate)
Financial Markets and Institutions (FINA 4400, Undergraduate)
Smeal College of Business, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
Solo Instructor: Financial Markets and Institutions (FIN 408, Undergraduate)
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Fall 2019: Portfolio Management (Dr. Tim Simin, MBA 583/883)
Fall 2018: Security Analysis & Portfolio Management (Dr. Giang Nguyen, FIN 406)
Spring 2018: Financial Mgmt of Business Enterprise (Dr. Matt Gustafson, FIN 305)
Fall 2017: Security Analysis and Portfolio Management (Dr. Giang Nguyen, FIN 406)
Fall 2016: Financial Management of Business Enterprise (Dr. Fenghua Song, FIN 305)
Fall 2016: Financial Markets and Institutions (Dr. Jim Miles, FIN 408)
Personal
Stephen married Ashtyn Gunderson in August 2013. They have three children: Lucy, Walker, and Garrison. Stephen enjoys racing motocross, fishing, and exercising in his free time. He is also fluent in Spanish and is an Eagle Scout. Ashtyn enjoys baking, exercising, and reading during her free time. Together with their children, they enjoy outdoor activities, riding bikes, and traveling.