Passion for research aids Blade stock contest leader
05.06.2008 10:00
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- Source: toledoblade.com
For Harold Hamilton, a retired director of research at the glass firm Pilkington Inc., passion for research didn't end with retirement. "I read a lot of financial magazines, several newspapers, and watch business channels on TV," he said. Five months into the year, Mr. Hamilton, 64, now holds first place in The Blade's year-long Stock Market Game. His portfolio, valued at $56,064, has Graftech International Inc., Hill International Inc., Maxwell Technologies Inc., and Teradyne Inc. Teradyne, a semiconductor test systems firm that works with the U.S. military, was an easy stock to pick during wartime, said Mr. Hamilton. The stock price has jumped 33 percent. Graftech, which Mr. Hamilton has since purchased himself, is up 49 percent in his portfolio. Maxwell is up 65 percent and Hill is up 14 percent. For the contest, participants were required to choose two stocks from the New York Stock Exchange and two from the Nasdaq by Dec. 31, 2007, with each valued at $5. Portfolios totaled $40,000, with each stock accounting for $10,000. A total of 880 people participated. The winner is decided by whose portfolio made the biggest gains by the end of this year. First prize is $200 in cash and a three-day/two night trip for two, including transportation and hotel, to Chicago, Toronto, or Tampa during 2009. Arrangements will be made by contest co-sponsor Central Travel of Toledo. Second place receives $300 in cash and third place $200. The Toledo office of Smith Barney is a contest co-sponsor and is tabulating the results. Many of the top contestants are doing well because they've picked energy stocks, from oil to coal, said Christina Wegner, a financial adviser at the office. In second is Diane Stacy of Gibsonburg, with a portfolio valued at $55,733. It includes Canadian Solar Inc., Emcore Corp., National Oilwell Varco Inc., and Alpha Natural Resources Inc.. The last one has grown 151 percent since January. In third is John Gilbert of Toledo, with a portfolio worth $55,604. He has Gardner Denver Inc., Marvel Entertainment Inc., Research in Motion Ltd., and Quintana Maritime Ltd. Other contest leaders through May include Michael McHaffie, Waterville, $55,064; Mary Schultz, Blissfield, Mich., $54,175; Dan Stacy, Gibsonburg, $53,945; Jan Rizzo, Sylvania, $51,206; Peter Genot, Sylvania, $50,500; Darrell Converse, Perrysburg, $50,267; and Natalie Tucker, Temperance, $50,259. A dartboard portfolio randomly selected by The Blade business staff totaled $39,412 and ranked 295th, down from a ranking of 238th last month. Contact Ted Fackler at:
tfackler@theblade.com
or 419-724-6199.
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