The Stock Market Game - Michael Diamond Financial Skills

Table of Contents

What is the Stock Market Game™ Program?

The Stock Market Game™ (SMG) is an educational simulation that teaches about the stock markets, the American economic system and the global economy. Participants develop skills in math, language arts, research and critical thinking, while building and maintaining a stock portfolio. SMG™ is used in grades 4-12, college courses, and by those who seek to learn more about investing. Since 1977, over 8 million students have participated in this national program.

You can make all your transactions using a personal computer linked to the Internet. Second, you can access research materials about companies through the SMG™ home page. You can also tap into free research reports from Standard and Poor’s and EDGAR, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s database. Third, you can check stock prices and monitor any changes in your portfolios value throughout the trading day. Computers make the Game more educational, interesting and fun.

How Does SMG™ Work?

After registering, you or your team have an “account” with a hypothetical $100,000 to invest in common stocks listed on the New York and American Stock Exchanges, and the Nasdaq Stock Market. To guide you in managing your portfolio, you can explore different investment opportunities using the SMG’s online data resources. The home page, for example, provides you with recent articles to read about a stock you plan to buy, sell or hold. Through the Internet, you could also visit the websites of companies to read their annual reports and press releases.

During the ten-week simulation each fall and spring, you can trade stocks via personal computer. You simply type in a stock’s ticker symbol and the transaction you want to make (buy, sell, short-cover, or short- sell). The value of your trades is then calculated using share prices at the close of the participating stock markets. Your portfolio is updated daily to tell you the value of your current holdings, brokerage commissions, return on investment, team or individual ranking, and other information.

You may qualify to win plaques, certificates and other awards based on the success of your investment management strategy at the end of the ten-week session.

How Do I Sign Up?

Teachers who want to bring the SMG™ to their classrooms can access the SMG™ homepage on the Internet at https://www.stockmarketgame.org Click on the state where you live to see how your school can participate. Your local SMG™ coordinator will show you how to incorporate the program into your school’s curriculum. Some schools use the Game in English classes to promote reading while others use it to strengthen their Economics studies. A Fax version is available for those schools who do not have access to the Internet. Parents or Grandparents may play with their children or grandchildren through the adult competition.

Adult investors who wish to participate can also access the SMG™ homepage for registration information. After signing up, you’ll be given an account number and password to participate.

Are Curriculum Materials Provided?

The Iocal coordinator provides curriculum materials such as manuals, lesson plans, and videos tailored to students in different grades.

If you want to learn more of the basics of stock trading, you can visit our list of articles about stock trading here.

If you want to learn about individual trading topics, here is a list of our latest articles:

What’s The Cost?

There is a small registration fee per team. Internet access costs also vary depending on the service you select from your provider.

Who Sponsors The Program?

The Foundation for Investor Education, an affiliate of the Securities Industry Association (SIA), is the national sponsor. The foundation provides financial support, materials and other assistance for local SMG™ programs. Local sponsors include: state councils and centers affiliated with the National Council on Economic Education, newspapers, and non-profit educational organizations.

How Do I Get Involved?

There are several ways to partcipate. National sponsorship, Corporations, foundations, SIA member firms, and individuals underwrite the costs of developing and administering SMG™ throughout the US. Teachers, parents or students start and run SMG programs in their schools or home. Local Sponsorship. Firms, businesses, individuals, and others help the SMG™ programs in their communities by making classroom presentations, hosting office tours, sponsoring award ceremonies, or providing financial support.