St Jago High wins Jamaica Stock Exchange competition

The St Catherine-based St Jago High School has won the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) Stock Market Game for 2014-15.

The competition, developed in 2008, is aimed at promoting public understanding of the stock markets and the economy, as well as to create awareness about the role of the stock market in Jamaica's economic development.

JSE General Manager Marlene Street Forrest lauded this year's 47 participating schools and announced that the programme will be expanded next year.

"As a deliverable, we will be in at least 50 more schools by 2016," Street Forrest said.

She also reported that although the JSE market was down by 5.31 per cent at the end of December 2014, it rebounded to a record 22.15 per cent improvement in the main index at the end of the competition on April 30, 2015.

"It is interesting to note that participants still saw good value in the market and when compared to the previous year, 2013-14, all portfolio values (schools and individuals) saw an increase in excess of 300 per cent at its lowest point," she said.

Top-placed teams

n St Jago High - winner

n Calabar High - first runner-up

n Merl Grove High - second runner-up.

Individual winners

n Lando Graham - St Jago High - top student

n Domar Blake - St Jago High - first runner-up

n Donald Lynder - Calabar High - second runner-up