Students Gain Experience of the Stock Market

Established in 2010, The Redmayne Bentley Investment Club, in partnership with Leeds Beckett University, provides the opportunity for students to gain exposure to the stock market, and experience what a career within the industry may entail.

Within the competition, students consider potential catalysts for short-term volatility within equity markets, and how they can use these to their advantage.

The initiative sees students from Leeds Business School set up investment clubs, each provided with £100,000 virtual start-up funding to invest within a simulation environment, allowing students to experience the highs, and lows, of investing.

Teams of students build their virtual portfolios across multiple sectors over seven weeks with the aim of increasing their portfolio value.

"This year’s investment club has been a huge success. Everyone who took part has said how much they enjoyed it and how much they have learned from working together to research companies, select investments and follow their progress." Lois Hargreaves BSc MSc ACA, Senior Lecturer, Leeds Beckett University.

This year, Team Kaizen Investments were able to achieve a return of 11.37% over the 7-week trading period. The team’s Portfolio was valued at £111,374.49 at the close of trading on the final day.

Rachel Scarf, Senior Compliance Officer and Leeds Beckett Alumni, who has supported the initiative for several years, said: “It’s rewarding to share our knowledge and experience with students at Leeds Beckett University.

“Our partnership with the university offers an opportunity for students to gain insight and knowledge about investing in the stock market, including the factors that can influence market impacts and fluctuations. We are pleased to provide valuable experience to those interested in investment management and stockbroking.”

Recently a celebration event took place for students who took part in the initiative. The event was attended by Lois Hargreaves, Professor George Lodorfos, Dean of the Business School, along with Rachel Scarf, Alastair Power, Investment Research Manager and David Loudon, Chair at Redmayne Bentley.

Professor George Lodorfos, Dean of Leeds Business School at Leeds Beckett added: "The Student Investment Club is a great example of how LBS and Redmayne Bentley worked together to give our students the opportunity to learn how to invest within a safe environment while improving their employability and graduate prospects."

Photograph (L-R):
Alastair Power (Investment Research Manager), David Loudon (Chair of Redmayne Bentley), Noah McKennon (Student), Charlie Allen (Student), Patrick Flannigan (Student), Cassius Bryant (Student), Professor Lois Hargreaves (Senior Lecturer), Professor George Lodorfos (Dean of Leeds Business School), Rachel Scarf (Senior Compliance Officer).
Not featured: Ethan Briley (Student).
 
Please note the value of investments and any income derived from them may go down as well as up and you could get back less than you invested.