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| The Junior Investor team at Doris Johnson is flanked by coaches Edna Glinton (left) and Charmeka Larrimore (right). Team researcher and trader, Adonya Colebrooke, is pictured third standing from the left. Photo by Donald Knowles. | |
Edna Glinton is looking for a silver lining behind a dark cloud. As coach for one of a dozen teams competing in the CFAL Junior Investor programme, Ms. Glinton is using this year’s uncertain economic climate as an opportunity to stimulate discussion among her students at Doris Johnson Senior High School. The Junior Investor programme, developed by leading investment and financial analysis firm CFAL Ltd., is a financial literacy course that allows students an opportunity to manage a virtual $100,000 stock portfolio.
A coach for the past four years, Glinton has competed in sunnier economic times; however, she plans to turn the current business environment into a tool for learning. “This year is an excellent opportunity for strategic planning, and for business acumen and instincts to be tested,” says Ms. Glinton. “The programme allows students to become really familiar with the language of Business. There is reinforcement of mathematical skills; research skills are used and decision making skills have to be followed. Those students who are actively involved are working diligently to compete well.”
According to Glinton, the programme is offering unprecedented financial services and securities exposure to the students. “The industry, although not very well known or recognized, is alive and well. The more exposure regarding the activities, professions and potential earnings, the more Bahamian people will want to get involved.”
Fourteen-year-old Adonya Colebrooke is certainly involved. As researcher and trader, she helps her team at Doris Johnson select stocks, and relays this information to the trading staff at CFAL who then execute the group’s transactions. “My favourite part is buying the stocks,” says Adonya. “I didn’t know that there were so many available.”
Perhaps it’s beginner’s luck, or Ms. Glinton’s reverse psychology, but the Doris Johnson team is reporting great success. “Our selections have resulted in greater profits and we are able to reinvest. We sold stocks that didn’t seem to be going anywhere.”
The winner of the programme, now nearing the finish line, will be determined by the school that has the highest return for their portfolio while maintaining a balanced investment strategy. The school that finishes in first place will receive $3,000. Second and third place prizes are cash awards of $2,000 and $1,000 respectively. Members of past teams are also afforded internships at CFAL.
As sponsor of the programme, CFAL donates the time of its securities analysts and traders to facilitate trade instructions and coach classes in the finer points of analyzing the Bahamian securities market and the global investment climate.
