VSE+2010-2011

MAC USERS: THIS SIMULATION WORKS BEST IN FIREFOX, NOT SAFARI


 * Friday, October 8**

1. Access our stock market simulation at the Virtual Stock Exchange and register as a user. Register with your __**real first and last name**__. Join our game: **Sharpsville** (capitalize S). Enter password **devils** to join.

2. Read this article to get started with the background on the markets.

3. Read this article on what to think about before you invest.

4. Read this article on bulls and bears.

5. Read this article that forecasts some of the trends for 2010 and 2011.

6. Based on the articles above, write a two or three paragraph summary of what you have learned. Be specific and use examples from the readings. Post it in the discussion area. Type "Learned" in the subject line.


 * Stop here for today. Go no further.**


 * Week One**

7. Take time to familiarize yourself with the VSE site. Make at least one stock purchase today, but spend no more than $20,000 on your total trades today. After you trade post a message to the discussion forum on this page. Tell me why you purchased that stock, what prospects the company has for growth, and how much growth you expect from this stock in the months ahead. Be realistic and use real research data as you find it on the web. Type "Week One" in the subject line.


 * Week Two**

8. Buy AND sell today if market conditions dictate. You should work to reduce your cash position to under $30,000 today. Remember, based on the article we read this week, allocate your portfolio among various stocks. The article recommended no more than 5% equity in any one firm.

9. Post a brief summary on what you have done so far. Give reasons for your purchases and sales and describe any strategy you are using. This should be at least one well-written paragraph and will be worth 10 points. Label it as "Week Two Update".


 * Week Three**

10. Buy and sell today if market conditions dictate. Feel free to draw down your entire $100,000 if you wish. Be sure to venture off the VSE site and read up on your companies, the markets, and financial news. Start by going to the top of the VSE page and checking out the linked sites listed.

11. Post what you have done today, include sites you read and stocks you traded. Explain why you made trades today and be specific. Label your posting as "Day Three Update", be sure to write at least a single paragraph that will be worth 10 points.


 * Week Four**

12. Continue to research and trade. For ten points post what you have done and why you have done it (be specific) and label it as your Week Four Update.


 * Week Five**


 * 13. Continue to research and trade. Post an update with the subject Week Five. Be sure to use proper English and include numbers (shares bought/sold, prices, targets, etc.). **


 * Week Six**

14. Continue to research and trade. Today in your post you need to tell me about one sector of the economy that you are interested in learning more about, why you are interested, and give some information on the major corporations and their futures. Label your post as "Week Six - Sectors". Sectors of the economy could include industrials, pharmaceuticals, retail sales, food and beverage, athletics and sports, media, transportation, and others. Be specific and detailed. Also be sure to include in your posting any trades you made and the rationale for each trade.


 * Week Seven**

15. Continue to research and trade. Label your post for Week Seven and be sure to include reasons for what you traded and/or held and numbers to support your assertions.


 * Week Eight**

16. Now that a few months have passed, post an update today that reflects on what you have done, how you might have done things differently, and what you plan to do over the next two months with your portfolio. Be sure to also include information on trades you make today or the reasons you did not make trades today. Post this as your Week Eight Update.

17. Make trades and post an update of what you have done. Label it as Week Nine.
 * Week Nine**

18. Make trades and post an update of what you have done. Begin thinking about the next month and where you want your portfolio to end the year at. Label your posting as Week Ten. Happy trading!
 * Week Ten**

19. Trade and post an update of what you have done.
 * Week Eleven**

20. As usual, continue to trade your portfolio. Be sure to post in the Wiki what you did today, whether or not much activity took place. Tell me why you did what you did, regardless of the number of trades you made. If you held and did not trade, be sure to state the reasons why you took that action. Be specific and use numbers whenever possible.
 * Week Twelve**

21. Today also marks the final trade day for us in class. You need to begin working on the final examination. Check the VSE Final Project link in the navigation pane on the left for information and follow the instructions posted. We will continue to trade in May, but will also begin to work on the final project.

22. Trade and post an update of what you have done. Be sure to work on the Final Project.
 * Week Thirteen**