The Guernsey Investment & Funds Association (GIFA) has enjoyed another successful year of the Investment Challenge, with all Guernsey students in years 10-13 invited to compete.
The competition ran from 1st October 2025 to 31st March 2026 and aimed to give students an insight into investment management. Each team started with a notional £1m to invest in a choice of 12 stocks; with the aim being to grow it as much as possible over the six months of the competition.
The initiative was led and administered by the GIFA Managers subcommittee, which is chaired by Kate Solway, who said: “Our goal is to encourage interest in investing and give students first-hand experience of how global events can shape financial markets and the companies they have chosen to back.
“This year’s competition ran through a particularly fascinating – and at times turbulent – period for markets. Students had to navigate the impact of President Trump’s return to the White House and the sweeping tariff announcements that sent shockwaves through global equity markets in the spring, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, and the continued rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and what it means for the companies they had invested in. Against that backdrop, seeing top returns of nearly 30% is a real testament to the quality of thinking on display.
“We were also delighted to see the Investment Rationale category go from strength to strength. Developing the ability to articulate the reasoning behind an investment decision is a skill that will serve students well whatever path they choose.
“It was fantastic to see 146 teams from seven educational institutions across the island take part, and I hope the experience has given everyone involved a valuable window into what investment management really looks like in practice — and perhaps inspired some of you to consider a future career in Guernsey’s finance industry. Thank you to everyone who took part, and to the schools and teachers for their continued support.”
In the years 10 and 11 category, first place was awarded to Inbestors (Blanchelande), with a fantastic total return of 28.84%. Second place was awarded to Semper Fidelis (Blanchelande) and third place to Snickerdoodles (Elizabeth College).
In the years 12 and 13 category, first place was clinched by Team Elle (Ladies’ College), with an impressive +29.42% total return. Second place was awarded to Yi Long Ma Investments (The Sixth Form Centre) and third place to JHH Capital (Blanchelande).
The winning teams won £700, £400 and £250, respectively.
As part of this year’s challenge, participants were encouraged to provide rationales for their stock choices each month. The judging committee was impressed with the reasoning of many of the teams, and awarded a prize of £700 to Asset-on Martin (Guernsey Institute) who impressed the judges with multiple in-depth stock choice rationales.
Main picture shows Snickerdoodles from Elizabeth College, with Kate Solway.
