New TWL GF Stock Market Game

TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-16 01:24

Just in case you are not currently following the "sticky", here is another thread that we can let die as soon as every sees it.

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Okay New Game UP
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Game Name = twlgf2

Game Pass = twlgf2

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Game Starts today
Game Ends 2 months
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For those that didn't play last time, the web site URL is http://vse.marketwatch.com/ . What it is simply stated, is a stockmarket simulator, that follows the ups and downs of the real stockmarket. Your given (this time) $10,000 to invest. Its fun and it is also, semi-edumacational...!

Kristine65

Pr0n Police! Onos!

2008-05-16 01:32

Scrooge!
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It's better to drink wine and talk stupid, than to drink water and be full of shit

Mockery

TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-16 01:39

I'm still pissed off that stupid site lost my last picks (the first time around).

Last time I put all 100,000 dollars of my pretend money into every single oil trading/refining/profiting company I could get my sticky Dick Cheney hands on (and this was back when it was under 100 bucks a barrel).

The rest of it went to pharmaceutical corporations like Merck and Pfizer.

If only I had this type of balls with my actual money.

I guess when it comes to investing, malevolent conglomerate monopolies are always ftw........

Questor

Operations StaffForum ModeratorTWL Contributor

2008-05-16 11:14

Shorting is dangerous if you don't know what you're doing, but there's lots of money to be made if you know where to look.

TWL|Questor
Member Services and Site Support
Email: questor@teamwarfare.com

=|KI|=ChestRockwell

TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-16 11:26

Shorting is fun though. It should be just as easy to pick a dog as it is a winner, especially in a volatile economic climate like this.

[-NM-] -SS-

TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-16 11:38

Originally posted by: Questor
Shorting is dangerous if you don't know what you're doing, but there's lots of money to be made if you know where to look.

Explain this.

Buzzed

"No URL tag for j00!"TeamWarfare VetTWL Contributor

2008-05-16 11:57

Penny stocks allowed! Woot
Post edited by Buzzed at 5/16/2008 11:57:44 AM

_________________________________________________

The Official TWL General Forums Stock Market Game!
Game over man! Game over!

Aria Giovanni.pZ

Forum KingTeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-16 13:23

Originally posted by: [-NM-] -SS-
Originally posted by: Questor
Shorting is dangerous if you don't know what you're doing, but there's lots of money to be made if you know where to look.

Explain this.

!!

feed me knowledge!!

leech.

yous still on duty? cuz u post in here thru the day...and so far, you are the only government worker here...so....you are a thief, when you steal from the time you are supposed to be using to protect the mexico fence.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Originally posted by: Coba|t
Originally posted by: Snake
First he has a long history he wants to ban ALL guns. he doesnt agree with the 2nd amendent.
So what do you base these two statements off of?

...Snake's response CAN BE READ HERE, CLASSIC

Questor

Operations StaffForum ModeratorTWL Contributor

2008-05-16 14:30

Originally posted by: [-NM-] -SS-
Originally posted by: Questor
Shorting is dangerous if you don't know what you're doing, but there's lots of money to be made if you know where to look.

Explain this.

Explain what shorting is?

TWL|Questor
Member Services and Site Support
Email: questor@teamwarfare.com

IrishRebel

Novus Idioto GiagantumTeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-16 14:49

It's fat used for baking...

*runs*

Questor

Operations StaffForum ModeratorTWL Contributor

2008-05-16 17:53

Originally posted by: IrishRebel
I'm a fat baker...

*runs*

Fixed.

Mockery

TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-17 13:28

Originally posted by: Questor
Originally posted by: IrishRebel
I'm a fat baker...

*runs*

Fixed.

Can fat bakers run??

I R Confuzed........

Kristine65

Pr0n Police! Onos!

2008-05-17 22:12

So................................. What is 'shorting'?
Post edited by Kristine65 at 5/17/2008 10:13:24 PM

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It's better to drink wine and talk stupid, than to drink water and be full of shit

Questor

Operations StaffForum ModeratorTWL Contributor

2008-05-17 22:24

Shorting is when you make money when the price of the stock drops. The way it works is the following:

1. You spot a stock you want to short.
2. You borrow shares of that stock from your broker.
3. You sell the shares at the current price.
4. The stock price drops.
5. You buy the same number of shares back.
6. You assign the shares to the broker.

That's the way the trades are executed. You basically initiate a short sell and all of the stuff happens for you behind the scenes. When you "close the position" steps 5 and 6 are performed.

The problem with this is when the stock price goes up. Theoretically, stock prices can increase by an infinite amount (contrast this with the opposite, known as "going long," where the stock price can only drop to $0.00). If the stock price goes up too much, the broker has the ability to "call your margin."

"Margin" is a loan. When you buy short, you borrow the shares of stock and sell them immediately. "Calling margin" essentially means that you have to put up the cash to cover the difference in price from when you bought it and where it is currently.

Before margins are called, if the stock price goes up people may close their positions because they are losing more money then they are willing to lose. This activity, called a "short squeeze," drives the price higher due to the amount of activity on the stock.

Does this all answer your question?

TWL|Questor
Member Services and Site Support
Email: questor@teamwarfare.com

Questor

Operations StaffForum ModeratorTWL Contributor

2008-05-17 22:31

A really good shorting strategy is to short bonds.

The way bonds work from an purchasing standpoint is that they are sold at an "issue price," which is less than the target price (known as the "face value" or "par"). The length of time that must elapse before the bond can be sold to receive 100% of the face value is determined (or determines) the interest rate of the bond.

From an interest standpoint, an investor can buy bonds and sell them before maturity just like any stock. The price at any given time is fairly stable in terms of its proximity to the interest line curve (when graphed) but may be affected by market events just like a stock. (Again, the effect is much less on a bond than it is on a stock.)

Back on topic, since bonds are never worth more than par at their maturity date, this is a cap on the amount that the bond will rise due to typical market activity. So if you short a bond, the most you will lose is the difference between the purchase price and par value.

So if a bond matures and is worth its par value, why would you sell it short? Well, frankly, some times the issuing authority defaults on the bonds. While government bonds are guaranteed, companies frequently issue bonds to raise a shitload of short term capital (to buy new buildings, fix up existing buildings, etc.). If the company issuing the bond has financial troubles as the maturity date approaches, they may default on the bonds, sending their price plummeting. Short sellers make a killing in these situations with a relatively small amount of risk (compared to short selling stocks).

TWL|Questor
Member Services and Site Support
Email: questor@teamwarfare.com

Kristine65

Pr0n Police! Onos!

2008-05-17 22:46

Thanks Qball
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It's better to drink wine and talk stupid, than to drink water and be full of shit

DevilNuts

"You should see my rooster!"TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-19 13:00

Just started today. No idea what I'm doing, but hopefully I will learn quickly.

XxHazexX3

TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-19 13:58

Originally posted by: DevilNuts
Just started today. No idea what I'm doing, but hopefully I will learn quickly.

Thats the concensus here except for a few outliers.

DevilNuts

"You should see my rooster!"TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-19 15:11

I guess it shows that I'm a total nublet. I'm all the way at the bottom. Frowny face

IrishRebel

Novus Idioto GiagantumTeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-19 15:12

I've never played the stocks before, 3rd place, not too bad.

DevilNuts

"You should see my rooster!"TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-19 15:21

Originally posted by: IrishRebel
I've never played the stocks before, 3rd place, not too bad.

I see you as #6.

DevilNuts

"You should see my rooster!"TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-19 15:27

QUESTION:

When I look at "my portfolio" and see my different stocks, sometimes the "change" is + something, but under "gain/loss" I am still in the hole. How does that work? Shouldn't a plus value on one lead to a gain on the other?

IrishRebel

Novus Idioto GiagantumTeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-19 15:27

Originally posted by: DevilNuts
Originally posted by: IrishRebel
I've never played the stocks before, 3rd place, not too bad.

I see you as #6.

this morning I was #3, should've sold stuff

DevilNuts

"You should see my rooster!"TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-19 15:27

Originally posted by: IrishRebel
Originally posted by: DevilNuts
Originally posted by: IrishRebel
I've never played the stocks before, 3rd place, not too bad.

I see you as #6.

this morning I was #3, should've sold stuff

lol youre 7 now.

DevilNuts

"You should see my rooster!"TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-19 16:41

I guess refreshing this thing every 5 minutes will drive me nuts, is that an accurate assumption?

Originally posted by: DevilNuts
QUESTION:

When I look at "my portfolio" and see my different stocks, sometimes the "change" is + something, but under "gain/loss" I am still in the hole. How does that work? Shouldn't a plus value on one lead to a gain on the other?

Bump.

DevilNuts

"You should see my rooster!"TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-20 12:27

Woah, look at brand new guy in the #1 spot.

Questor

Operations StaffForum ModeratorTWL Contributor

2008-05-20 12:33

Originally posted by: DevilNuts
I guess refreshing this thing every 5 minutes will drive me nuts, is that an accurate assumption?

Originally posted by: DevilNuts
QUESTION:

When I look at "my portfolio" and see my different stocks, sometimes the "change" is + something, but under "gain/loss" I am still in the hole. How does that work? Shouldn't a plus value on one lead to a gain on the other?

Bump.

Refreshing every 5 minutes helps you explain why programmers on Wall St. work such long hours: they spend so much time refreshing their terminals that they get little work done, so they have to stay after markets close to do that work.

The +/- is typically the absolute change value wise (vs. % increase / decrease) of the stock over the last day's closing price. You need to multiply that by the number of shares to get the net increase / decrease for that position for the day. Then you add up all of the positions to get the +/- for your blotter/portfolio for the day.

TWL|Questor
Member Services and Site Support
Email: questor@teamwarfare.com

-=TIO=- Fluffytuff

TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-20 12:49

Originally posted by: Questor

Refreshing every 5 minutes helps you explain why programmers on Wall St. work such long hours: they spend so much time refreshing their terminals that they get little work done, so they have to stay after markets close to do that work.

The +/- is typically the absolute change value wise (vs. % increase / decrease) of the stock over the last day's closing price. You need to multiply that by the number of shares to get the net increase / decrease for that position for the day. Then you add up all of the positions to get the +/- for your blotter/portfolio for the day.

Why aren't you playing this? It's not like you are employed or anything....

/runs far far away

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"You are not a hero to the world unless you are first and foremost a hero to your children." -Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

DevilNuts

"You should see my rooster!"TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-21 11:27

I seem to be holding up pretty well for someone who knows literally nothing about the stock market. Commentary anyone?

hackshot.

forum trollTeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-21 11:50

It's not too hard, I got my hands on every oil stock I could get my dirty Cheney hands on, and then grabbed Oracle since they are a company I know of, and I know they are doing well.
___________________

=|KI|=ChestRockwell

TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-21 12:24

Originally posted by: DevilNuts
I seem to be holding up pretty well for someone who knows literally nothing about the stock market. Commentary anyone?

Ha, that those two oil companies are really paying off for you. I almost shorted that Pacific Ethanol on friday afternoon...good thing i didn't because it was way up the last few days. I think it's creeping down again though and i'm about to take #1.

Questor

Operations StaffForum ModeratorTWL Contributor

2008-05-21 12:28

Originally posted by: -=TIO=- Fluffytuff
Why aren't you playing this? It's not like you are employed or anything....

/runs far far away

Because if I were to play this game seriously...

1) It would consume far too much of my time, and...
2) I would own everyone

So eat my cawk.

TWL|Questor
Member Services and Site Support
Email: questor@teamwarfare.com

DevilNuts

"You should see my rooster!"TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-21 13:16

Originally posted by: =|KI|=ChestRockwell
Originally posted by: DevilNuts
I seem to be holding up pretty well for someone who knows literally nothing about the stock market. Commentary anyone?

Ha, that those two oil companies are really paying off for you. I almost shorted that Pacific Ethanol on friday afternoon...good thing i didn't because it was way up the last few days. I think it's creeping down again though and i'm about to take #1.

Is that what those are? I just googled top stocks and bought the first 5 or 6 on the list.

=|KI|=ChestRockwell

TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-21 13:32

Originally posted by: DevilNuts
Originally posted by: =|KI|=ChestRockwell
Originally posted by: DevilNuts
I seem to be holding up pretty well for someone who knows literally nothing about the stock market. Commentary anyone?

Ha, that those two oil companies are really paying off for you. I almost shorted that Pacific Ethanol on friday afternoon...good thing i didn't because it was way up the last few days. I think it's creeping down again though and i'm about to take #1.

Is that what those are? I just googled top stocks and bought the first 5 or 6 on the list.

you should start a "i just googled it" hedge fund.

DevilNuts

"You should see my rooster!"TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-21 14:13

hedge wha??? Explain.

And what does "sell short" mean?
Post edited by DevilNuts at 5/21/2008 2:16:02 PM

=|KI|=ChestRockwell

TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-21 14:34

Originally posted by: Questor
Shorting is when you make money when the price of the stock drops. The way it works is the following:

1. You spot a stock you want to short.
2. You borrow shares of that stock from your broker.
3. You sell the shares at the current price.
4. The stock price drops.
5. You buy the same number of shares back.
6. You assign the shares to the broker.

That's the way the trades are executed. You basically initiate a short sell and all of the stuff happens for you behind the scenes. When you "close the position" steps 5 and 6 are performed.

The problem with this is when the stock price goes up. Theoretically, stock prices can increase by an infinite amount (contrast this with the opposite, known as "going long," where the stock price can only drop to $0.00). If the stock price goes up too much, the broker has the ability to "call your margin."

"Margin" is a loan. When you buy short, you borrow the shares of stock and sell them immediately. "Calling margin" essentially means that you have to put up the cash to cover the difference in price from when you bought it and where it is currently.

Before margins are called, if the stock price goes up people may close their positions because they are losing more money then they are willing to lose. This activity, called a "short squeeze," drives the price higher due to the amount of activity on the stock.

Does this all answer your question?

IrishRebel

Novus Idioto GiagantumTeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-21 15:05

I forgot to actually watch it and sell the ethanol as it was starting to peak and now am down $1,000.00

I guess I should be paying more attention to this game, oh well.

DevilNuts

"You should see my rooster!"TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-21 19:03

I have decided not to do anything else for the next 50-something days. It's a long term investment for me.

Questor

Operations StaffForum ModeratorTWL Contributor

2008-05-21 22:07

Originally posted by: DevilNuts
hedge wha??? Explain.

And what does "sell short" mean?

Hedge Fund is from the Latin "hedgidous felundius" meaning "I can spend your money any way I want to without stupid things like government oversight or regulation."

In all seriousness, a hedge fund is a mutual fund that has the freedom to invest in whatever the fund manager wants regardless of the risk. There is also very little government regulation associated with it.

Hedge funds all have a minimum amount of investment required usually around $1mm or so. Hedge Fund managers typically make a 7-figure base salary plus bonus.

TWL|Questor
Member Services and Site Support
Email: questor@teamwarfare.com

=|KI|=ChestRockwell

TeamWarfare Vet

2008-05-22 09:25

...and with bonus some of them make 10 figures. :0