Play the fantasy stock market

May 20 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal

PLACES are running out for this year’s Journal Stock Market Challenge as more business executives line up to play stockbroker for the evening.

The “fantasy stock market’’ event has already attracted 16 teams, with nine more needed to compete with the region’s budding Gordon Gekkos and help raise over £6,000 for North East charity the Children’s Foundation.

The fun evening will see teams use their allotted £35,000 of “Bank of Stockland” notes to buy and sell securities such as oil, shares and currency in order to build up the value of their portfolio and beat the other teams to become the 2008 champions.

The event, which is sponsored by The Journal as well as Allied Irish Bank (GB) and Sintons Solicitors, is a no-holds barred affair, with teams having to think fast in order to handle rumours, gossip and media speculation on a trading floor.

Moya Goodyear, marketing manager at Sintons, said: “It was great fun last year and allowed us to continue our work with the Children’s Foundation.

“It’s unlike other corporate events where you have to be polite and watch how you behave. As soon as the market opens, it is pandemonium on the trading floor, with everyone behaving as though they are part of the real thing. Our team absolutely loved it and are looking forward to this year’s event.”

The event will take place on the evening of May 29 at the Marriott Gosforth Park Hotel in Newcastle.

It costs £450 to enter a team of six. Details are available from the Children’s Foundation on (0191) 282-0000 or by emailing naomi.ridout@nuth.nhs.uk for more information and to receive an event brochure.