Bulls and bears, oh my!

Stock market trading is coming to New Hampshire next month giving professional and novice traders alike the opportunity to showcase their financial prowess for one exciting evening while raising funds for the economic education of tomorrow's business leaders.

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On Tuesday, Nov. 27, The Event Center at C.R. Sparks in Bedford will be transformed into the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange when Junior Achievement of New Hampshire hosts the state's first Stock Market Challenge. The event will run from 6 to 9 p.m. and the registration fee per four-member team is $1,000.

In exchange for the registration fee each team will be given $500,000 in fun trading dollars, a list of 26 fictitious stocks, ongoing stock updates and the opportunity to pit their stock trading skills against the other teams by buying and selling their way through 60 simulated days of trading (each one 80 seconds long) via handheld computers. Real-time trading activity will flash across three NYSE-like screens. The entire trading event will take place over the course of 90 minutes.

The team holding the largest portfolio at the end of the trading period will be crowned "Stock Market Champion."

While it's not unusual for financial professionals to take part in the fundraising event, no particular background is required and, while the money and the stocks are imaginary, the stakes and the excitement promise to be high according to Jennifer Muir, development manager for JANH.

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"It's going to be very exciting" Muir said. "This is a well-designed game. It moves quickly and involves split-second decisions."

Although this year's event is the first in New Hampshire, Junior Achievement has been hosting similar programs around the country with great success. More than a dozen teams are expected to participate in New Hampshire's inaugural Stock Market Challenge.

"We know this model works really well" said Muir. "People have a great time. It's a great way to raise money for Junior Achievement."

All proceeds from the Stock Market Challenge will go toward JANH programming and supporting the New Hampshire organization--something especially important this year, as JANH has recently become an independent franchise.

Junior Achievement of New Hampshire has been providing economic education programs to K-12 students throughout the Granite State since 1989 with the help of volunteers from the business community who are willing to bring their experience to the classroom for the purpose of educating tomorrow's business leaders.

More than 7,000 students from 340 classrooms across New Hampshire took part in Junior Achievement programs last year.

For more information on Junior Achievement New Hampshire or the upcoming Stock Market Challenge call 603626-1918 or e-mail [e-mail].