Friday, September 25, 2009

2009 Investment Challenge

2009
Investment Contest Rules

1. The 2009 Investment Contest is an extra credit project for students taking Business. To compete, investing groups must officially register with the contest judge, Mr Evans. Winning teams will win a variety of prizes.
2. The contest will begin on September 28 as the earliest time a group may register. The competition begins on October 1 and will close December 10. Winners will be certified and announced by December 15.
3. Teams must register by submitting a formal, printed letter to Mr Evans. The letter must state the name of the team, the members of the team, as well as a short description of their investment goals. Teams must be between 2-6 members. Once accepted, each team will be issued a “Corporate Certificate” by the judge. Teams may register as early as September 28. The final date teams may register to compete is October 15.
4. Teams will be given an imaginary “Investment Account” beginning at $100,000 (USD). Each team may make investment choices once each week. Investments can be made in any investment vehicle that is easily bought and sold on a world marketplace, and have their prices and results tracked on one of the following financial websites: Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg.com, The Motley Fool, scottrade.com. Other websites may be used, provided they have been approved by Mr Evans. Investments can be in the stock, bonds or debentures of companies, debentures from governments, or investments in other investment vehicles such as commodities (gold, corn, oil).
5. To make an investment, teams will fill out an “Investment Order” to buy or sell their investment. The investment order will be on a form provided by Mr Evans. Information required will be: Name of Investment – Web/Market site where the investment price is tracked (Yahoo Finance, etc), amount in dollars or shares/units the team wants to buy. Investment orders must be turned in on the last day of each week (Normally Friday, except for holidays). The sale or purchase of investments will be made at the CLOSING price of the next business day (normally Monday, except for holidays). Note: The information on the Investment order must be detailed enough to complete the order. For example, if a company issues three types of stock (one ordinary and two preferred shares) the team must clearly designate which type of share they are buying. This can normally be done by listing the Market Code for that particular investment (easily found on the approved web sites).
6. Any money not invested by the team will be considered invested in a Money Market Fund, paying 1.5% APR on a weekly basis.
7. Mr Evans will track the results of teams investments on a weekly basis and will post the week-to-week results in the classroom #40.
8. PRIZES: There will be a number of prizes for the competitors of this contest. 100 Extra Credit Points will be distributed to the top performing teams. The distribution of the points will be based on the total number of teams and students participating. The exact formula to winning extra credit will be posted after October 15 when team entries are finished. A Private Pizza Party will be held for the top teams, details will be provided in December. All team members will receive official certificates showing their completion of the contest. There will also be prizes for best individual investment by a team, worst investment team, as well as others.
9. Mr Evans is the sole judge of this contest. His judgment is final on all matters.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Back from Vacation!

May 25 and we are back from vacation! Remember- Group Research project proposals are due Monday. Congratulations! You had an extra week to work on them!

This week we will do some review and take our Bimestre tests, while getting started looking towards our 2d Bimestre projects. it should be a crazy week!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Practice Break Even Point Analysis

Here is information for a practice in preparation of the Monday Quiz:

Business: Hannah's Hats

Capacity: 2000 hats
Output 65%
Price: $25/hat

Costs:
Material $5/hat
Labor: $4000/month
Administration: $1500/month
Marketing: $1000/month
Power: $100/month
Rent: $2000/month

#1- Use the Unit Contribution method to find the Break Even Output

#2 Complete a detailed Break Even Point Chart

#3 - What is the Margin of Safety both in units and as a percent?

Good luck!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Grade Reminders

Tuesday I will be sending academic notifications to parents who have promedios below 68. If you have not turned in any assignments, you must have them turned in by Monday to have a chance for them to be counted.

Monday, April 20, 2009

New Week!

We are closing out the end of our first unit. Quiz on Tuesday! Don't forget to study!