Sudbury high school students test their trading skills in Cambrian College Stock Market Challenge – March 26

SUDBURY – More than 300 high school students from across the region are learning the fundamentals of investing and financial literacy through a new hands-on Stock Market Competition led by Cambrian College’s Douglas A. Smith Family School of Business.

The six-week competition, which ends April 17, gives students in Grades 9 to 12 the opportunity to manage a simulated investment portfolio using real-world stock market data.

Using the Personal Finance Lab platform, students start with a virtual portfolio valued at $100,000 and can trade stocks and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) listed on Canadian and U.S. exchanges.

The initiative is designed to build practical financial skills while introducing students to the concepts of investing, risk management, and long-term financial planning.

“This competition gives students a chance to experience the excitement and responsibility of managing investments in a realistic but safe environment,” says Craig O’Neill, a professor in Cambrian’s Douglas A. Smith Family School of Business. “Financial literacy is one of the most important life skills young people can develop. By allowing students to experiment with real market data, analyze trends, and make investment decisions, they gain a much deeper understanding of how financial markets work and how thoughtful investing can support long-term financial stability.”

Throughout the competition, the college will share weekly updates with participants and recognize top-performing trades to keep students engaged as market activity unfolds.

To encourage responsible investing strategies, the competition includes several safeguards. Students may only trade stocks priced at $5 or higher, and no single trade can exceed 20 per cent of a portfolio’s value. Trading of penny stocks, cryptocurrency, options, and futures has been disabled to discourage high-risk speculation and instead promote disciplined investment strategies.

Participating students are enrolled in business courses at their respective secondary schools, where teachers are incorporating the competition into classroom learning.

Once the bell sounds and the competition closes, the top three student traders will receive $500 business scholarships to Cambrian College along with Amazon gift cards. And in this business environment, there is such a thing as a free lunch! The class with the strongest overall performance will also receive a free pizza lunch sponsored by the Douglas A. Smith Family School of Business.

The first-ever student Stock Market Competition reflects Cambrian College’s ongoing strategic commitment to prepare the next generation of business leaders and strengthen its community partnerships to help students succeed.

To learn more about programs in Cambrian’s Douglas A. Smith Family School of Business, including two degree-level programs, visit https://cambriancollege.ca/business.