The Guernsey Investment and Funds Association has announced the commencement of the Schools Investment Challenge for the academic year 2023/24.
This competitive stock-picking investment challenge opened to all Guernsey students in years 10-13 and began on 1st October 2023, running until 31st March 2024.
Over 95 teams have registered from Guernsey’s educational institutions, including Elizabeth College, Ladies College, Blanchelande College, The Sixth Form Centre, Les Varendes High School, and the Guernsey Institute, collectively representing more than 350 Guernsey students participating in this year’s challenge.
This year, the program has been structured into two age categories: years 10 & 11 and years 12 & 13, aiming to foster broader participation and interest in investing among upper-year students.
Each team, composed of 3-5 students, is tasked with selecting one stock from a curated list of twelve well known companies, including Disney, Nestlé, and Microsoft. Teams will submit their chosen stock by the end of each month, with the option to modify their investment or maintain their current position. A brief rationale for any investment adjustments or the decision to retain their existing stock is requested.
The total returns of each team will be calculated at the end of the competition in March 2024, and prizes will be awarded to the top three teams in each age category. In the event of a tie for first place, the winning team will be evaluated based on the quality of their trade rationales.
Four local sponsors, Butterfield Bank, Rocq Capital, Asset Risk Consultants, and White Star Capital, are supporting the Guernsey Investment and Funds Association (GIFA) to expand the offering for this year’s challenge.
The initiative, conceived by the Managers’ Subcommittee at GIFA, aims to raise awareness and interest in investment and finance among Guernsey’s next generation.
Harry Bazzaz (pictured), Chair of the GIFA Manager’s Subcommittee commented: “It’s fantastic that such a high number of students have registered for this year’s Investment Challenge. The students will be able to see how political developments, company performance and investing trends all interact to affect stock prices, and we hope that these insights will be helpful in their studies and financial education.
“Guernsey has many highly-skilled investment managers and our industry can only benefit from increasing visibility and access for the next generation. Best of luck to all students and thank you to the schools and teachers for encouraging participation!”
