A&M-Commerce Students Participate in MarketWatch Simulation

Texas A&M University-Commerce students are participating in Ameritrade's Think or Swim Challenge. The challenge allows students to compete in a trading competition against 450 students from across the United States.

“We sometimes use the market simulation as a discussion point in our macroeconomic principles course,” said Dr. Frannie Miller, associate professor of economics. “Seeing how macroeconomic events affect personal wealth really makes the topics we are studying more relevant to our students—even if it is just hypothetical wealth!”

The teams are working under the leadership of Dr. Miller and Instructor in Economics and Finance, Dr. Jared Pickens. Each member of the winning team will earn $3,500 and $30,000 for their university. The highest A&M-Commerce team will receive $100 from the Economics and Finance Society and provided by the faculty from the Department of Economics and Finance.

During the spring semester, the Economics and Finance Society hosted a market simulation game using MarketWatch as the platform. Students traded $100,000 of virtual money. The activity gave students the opportunity to gain experience on how trading works. At the end of the semester a student with a minor in finance, John Taden, won with a 903% return on his investment.

“We believe our investment simulations help our students visualize the world of finance in more concrete terms. This, in return, helps them make more educated decisions about their future careers paths,” said Assistant Professor of Finance Dr. Al Gormus. “For example, after his tremendous success in our Spring 2015 simulation challenge, last year's winner, John Taden, is currently applying for a Ph.D. in Finance.”

For more information, visit the Department of Economics and Finance.