How Can I Participate in a Stock Contest?

Many people take part in stock contests in junior high school while learning about the stock market. It's a fun way to learn the ins and outs of the stock market without the risks involved with using real money. But stock contests have come a long way since junior high. Now, more and more companies are using stock contests as a way to garner publicity, make money, or just have fun with the market.

What Is a Stock Contest?
With a stock contest, contestants are given a certain amount of "money" to invest in the stock market during a particular quarter. This amount varies with the organization hosting the contest, but it's usually anywhere between $50,000 and $100,000.

Most stock contests come with a certain amount of rules, such as trading can only occur during open market hours, and contestants must have a certain amount invested before a set date or they will be dropped from the contest. At the end of the quarter or allotted time period, the person with the highest return wins.

Sometimes, the winners receive far more than the satisfaction of knowing they won-one company, for example, is awarding the winner of their annual stock contest a trip for two to Mexico for a week. Another organization awarded their winner $500. Another company featured their winner on their website. So stock contests can bring a certain amount of fame and fortune if done correctly.

Most stock contests allow their contestants to enter for free, although some require an entry fee. These are usually nominal sums; however, some organizations have large entry fees and donate the proceeds to charity or to a pot for the winner.

How to Participate In a Stock Contest
If you'd like to enter a stock contest, one thing you need to consider is timing. Most stock market contests begin at the beginning of a quarter, so make sure you start looking for one a week or two before then, as most of them have entry deadlines.

If a stock contest sounds like something you might be interested in, there are a number of ways you can go about finding one to enter:

Check the business section of your local paper. Oftentimes, stock contests are advertised in the business section or stock page in newspapers. These are a great place to look for stock contests.

Join an investor's club. These are great ways to not only learn about the market, but they often sponsor their own stock contests for their members.

Check local schools. Many universities and high schools sponsor stock market contests for residents. Call their Activities Department or Business School and ask if they hold stock contests.

Look online. Type in "stock contests" into Google and you'll come up with thousands. Many of these contests are open to budding investors nationwide. In addition, you can also type in "stock contests + (your city name)" and it will return a number of links that can direct you to contests in your area.

? Form your own. You can also form your own stock contest with friends or community members.

A stock contest is a fun and educational way for an investor to participate in and learn about the stock market without actually risking your own money.

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