A team of economics students from Isle of Man’s Castle Rushen High School have won this year’s national Shares4Schools competition making an impressive 16.6% profit. The team raised awareness of the 2014 Isle of Man TT in a rather unusual way, by using the name of the road race as their team name in the competition. Castle Rushen, who entered five teams this year, has taken part in the real money investing competition since its launch in 2003. Although they have been regional winners before, this year sees them top the national leader board for the first time. As a result of the schools participation, over 250 students have benefited from contributing to the challenge. 
 
Commenting on their success the team said: “From the outset we wanted to invest as though the money was our own. We bought stocks for the longer term and were only prepared to take profits when the basic fundamentals started to look strained. Running up to the last day, the first thing we did every morning was make sure we were still winning - the final moments were so tense! The temptation to do another deal was there on occasions, but luckily we resisted and stuck to our winning strategy. We are looking forward to a winners’ day in London once our exams are over.”
 
The group based their investing on the strengths of the UK economy and an increase in consumer confidence. The first share bought by the Castle Rushen TT team was house builder, Barratt Developments. It rose by 30% and achieved a position in the FTSE 100 - at which point they took their profits. The students then decided to challenge the city and buy Carphone Warehouse on the day it arrived in the FTSE 250 as they liked the management. The investment was boosted by a possible merger announcement with Dixons, which saw the share price rise by 25%.
 
The insights of city grandee, David Buik were proven to be valuable to the team, with the first of their two small company investments in Panmure Gordon. Quindell was their second speculative choice, bought based on its possible elevation to the FTSE 250 from the AIM market. The team was wary of the potential volatility so sold their shares at 41.3p, just days before an internet bulletin board resulted in the company’s share price crashing.
 
Commenting on the win Jason Moorhouse, Economics teacher, said: “Being located on the Isle of Man and the strengths of the local financial sector Castle Rushen students have been able to benefit personally, academically and in their careers from all that the Shares4Schools challenge offers. The significant educational benefits cannot be replicated anywhere else. Through Business Studies our students watch as they become owners in public limited companies and a potentially dull topic becomes enlivened.”
 
Commenting on the competition Gavin Oldham, chief executive of The Share Centre said: “It's been another exciting year for Shares4Schools, with Castle Rushen TT producing a very commendable 16.6% to take first place. The real money competition is as compelling as ever and provides valuable experience for these Year 12 students, helping them to understand that share prices can indeed fall as well as rise. It engenders a real 'investment club' atmosphere amongst the young people taking part and their teachers.”