Hawaii students test investment skills
Recession or not, 1,766 Hawaii students have begun testing their stock-picking skills in the state's Stock Market Simulation program.
The interactive contest kicked off its spring campaign this past week with 646 teams and 41 schools representing Oahu, the Big Island, Maui, Kauai and Molokai. The 10-week competition ends April 18.
"This is the fifth year that the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Office of the Securities Commissioner and the Hawaii Council on Economic Education have collaborated to bring Hawaii's students solid investment education," said Kristine Castagnaro, executive director of the HCEE.
"It is our sincere hope that the skills they master through this simulation will enable them to make better financial decisions now and in their adult lives."
Students in grades 3 through 12 invest a hypothetical $100,000 in stocks, bonds and mutual funds over a 10-week period. There are four divisions -- aggressive growth, income growth, growth, and elementary -- that require different allocations of stocks and bonds.
The first- and second-place team members at the end of the session receive $100 and $50 savings bonds.
Registration for the program remains open throughout the simulation.
Results can be viewed at www.hawaiisms.com/ranking1.php.