Team Lotus, from The Ladies’ College has won the first Guernsey Investment and Funds Association Investment Challenge, more than doubling their money.
At the start of the competition in October 2022, 23 teams were each given a fictional £1 million to invest. They were allowed to make one trade each month and were asked to explain their stock pick strategy. The students were able to pick from a selection of well-known companies such as Netflix, Boeing, Nestle, Nvidia, Sony and more.
Over 100 students from four of the island’s post-16 schools and colleges took part and gained first-hand experience with stock markets and investing.
The winning team were presented with their prize at Guernsey Investment and Funds Association Academy event on 24th May.
Henry Freeman, one of the organisers of the initiative, said: “The purpose of the GIFA Investment Challenge was to raise awareness and interest in investment and finance with Guernsey’s next generation. We’re very pleased that so many students took part and have really excelled in the challenge. The quality of all the teams’ stock picks and rationales has been fantastic.”
By the end of the competition, 16 out of the 23 teams beat the FTSE 100 (largest UK companies) and S&P 500 (largest US companies) indexes.
Emma Bertrand, from winning team, Lotus at The Ladies’ College, said: “I really enjoyed the competition, I think it was a great opportunity to research and gain an understanding of the financial markets, which was helpful in providing a broader knowledge to support my study in my Business Studies A-Level.’”
Henry continued: “We’re pleased to give students the chance to learn about stocks and gain hands-on investment experience. Investing takes many different forms and plays a part in almost everyone’s lives, no matter what career they choose. Who knows, we may also have found some star fund managers of the future!
“Guernsey is relatively unique in having such a vibrant investment and finance industry and it’s encouraging to see the next generation taking such an interest in investing. Congratulations to all of those who took part, we look forward to welcoming even more students next year.”
As part of the initiative, Henry, along with industry professionals from Butterfield and Rocq Capital, has presented to students and talked through specific investment themes. In addition, Close Brothers Asset Management provided pricing data.
GIFA’s Investment Challenge will take place again in the next academic year and will be open to more year groups from more schools. All of the island’s secondary schools are invited to express interest in participation by emailing here.
Pictured: Left to right – Henry Freeman, one of the organisers of the initiative; Emma Bertrand, The Ladies’ College student and part of winning team Lotus; Emily Gardner, The Ladies’ College student and part of winning team Lotus; Harry Bazzaz, Chair of the GIFA Managers’ Committee; Tilly Collenette, The Ladies’ College student and part of winning team Lotus.
