Making it big in the Stock Market

1.  Your first step is to learn about the stock market.  Go to this website and read about the stock market:

 http://www.infoplease.com/spot/stockmarket.html

2.  The next step is to create a template using Microsoft Excel or use the one provided below labeled as attachment #1. 

3.  You will then go to the following website and select 5 companies whos stock you will track for a week. 

http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/common/find.asp

Once you identify your company and thier "Ticker Symbol" (http://www.investorwords.com/4968/ticker_symbol.html ).

You will then look at the "previous days close" price as the price you will purchase each share.  You are able to decide for you self how much of each stock to purchase. Just remember not to exceed $20,000 in total stock costs.
 
For example:
Gap    Closing price  $19.93 for each share.   I choose to purchase   400 shares which costs me:  $7972.00

Input this information into your Excel Spreadsheet.

4.  Each weekday you will record the previous days closing price on the excel spreadsheet. The stock market is closed on weekends and holidays.  You need to track 7 consequitive days in order to get full credit.

5.  Once you have tracked 7 consequitive days, you will create a line graph for two of your chosen stocks.  You can create this graph on graph paper or use excel.

An example of what a line graph should look like can be found at:

 http://www.homesteadfunds.com/images/GrowthChart_NIT.gif

6.  Lastly, you will write a page reflection on this project.  In the first half, you will explain why you chose to "purchase" these companies stocks.  The second half you will explain what you learned by doing this project. 

7.  Remember to check the Rubric on how this is graded.