The closing bell today marked the end of the most recent Running with the Bulls Stock Market Game. The contest could not have ended on a more exciting note as stocks were up big, providing lots of movement on the leader board. It was a white knuckle ride for Cliff's Daughter today, but she just barely managed to hold onto the top spot and take the victory. With the market finishing up from the start of the contest, it is somewhat odd that a relatively low beta stock, Home Depot, would bring Cliff's Daughter the win, but the stock moved well when the market moved up and managed to hold on when the market dropped. It is a rags-to-riches story as Cliff's Daughter actually finished dead last in the last contest…I'd like to think it was our comments that helped turn her around, but more likely it was her father, Karen's Dad, who finished right below his daughter in 3 rd place.

Speaking of right below the leader, Invest3matt put on quite a show today. The one time leader of the contest trailed Cliff's Daughter by 12% at the start of the day and nearly pulled off the win as X dominated the day, finishing over 15% higher!...at least you can solace in beating the rest of the invest3 group!

I always like to say that it is just as tough to finish last as it is first. While it probably was not his plan, Jack Sparrow Puffle managed to do just that and went down with the ship. The pirate went for it all with 95% in GS and unfortunately chose the wrong horse or should I say boat. At least he had company down there as big gamblers Old School Batman, Tachyon, and the Big Red Gun Show went basically all in on one stock and went down with the ship as well.

As always, one of the biggest keys to winning the contest (if not the biggest) comes down to timing. For example, if Cliff's Daughter had started one day later, she would have finished in 5 th or…if our 2 nd place finisher, Invest3matt, had started one day earlier or one day later than he did, he would have won the contest by over 2%!

A few quick facts regarding the stocks/portfolios during the contest's time period (10/17 to 11/30):

  •  13% (16 out of 119) portfolios managed to outperform the S&P 500 Index (+3.84%)…that's the lowest percentage of outperformers since the contest started…last contest 41% managed this feat

  •  Best performing stocks (from 10/17): X +18.8%, UNP +15.8%, HD +13.2%

  •  Worst performing stocks (from 10/17): EBAY -10.9%, WYNN -10.6%, AAPL -9.0%

  •  Best performing sectors (from 10/17): Materials +9.2% (X,FCX), Financials +3.1% (MMC,PRU) and Consumer Discretionary +2.8% (HD,TJX)

  •  Worst performing sectors (from 10/17): Consumer Staples +1.0% (CLX) and Health Care +1.3% (BAX,CELG)

We at Monetta want to thank all that joined in this quarter's contest…congrats to the winners and we look forward to your participation in the next contest!

May the Bull be with you!