Stock Journal Assignment This Week You Will Find Out If You

Stock Journal Assignmentthis Week You Will Find Out If You Have Made

This assignment involves reviewing your simulated stock investments over three different time points—Weeks 3, 8, and 10—to evaluate their performance and reflect on your investment decisions. You will update your provided Excel template with current stock prices, calculate the total value of your investments, and assess whether you gained or lost money. Additionally, you will write a rationale or summary in a Word document, discussing your results, what you learned, and how this experience can inform future decisions. You are required to incorporate insights from at least two credible sources, such as stock exchange websites or financial publications, to support your analysis. The assignment emphasizes the importance of analyzing investment performance over time with accuracy, reflective thinking, and adherence to Strayer Writing Standards.

Paper For Above instruction

The purpose of this stock journal assignment is to provide students with practical experience in managing and evaluating a simulated investment portfolio over a designated period. Through this process, students develop an understanding of how stock prices fluctuate, how investments can grow or decline over time, and how to critically assess their investment strategies. The task requires updating recorded stock prices at three distinct points—Weeks 3, 8, and 10—and analyzing the overall performance of selected stocks within a hypothetical $25,000 investment. This exercise fosters skills in financial analysis, data tracking, decision making, and reflective thinking that are vital for real-world investing.

Initially, students select a set of companies to invest in during Week 3, using the provided Excel template to record their chosen stocks, their share prices, and the number of shares purchased within the $25,000 budget. Locking certain cells in the Excel template ensures that calculations remain accurate and unaltered. As the weeks progress, students revisit their investments, updating the current stock prices during Week 8 and again during Week 10, to monitor how their investments perform over time. The updated prices are used to calculate the current value of each stock, which collectively provides an overall view of the investment portfolio’s performance.

After collecting the data for Week 10, students compare these prices with those recorded in Weeks 3 and 8. They then calculate the total value of their investments, which allows them to determine profit or loss. This quantitative assessment provides insight into whether the student’s investment strategy was successful based on actual market fluctuations. In addition to the numbers, students are asked to provide a qualitative assessment, reflecting on whether they made money or incurred losses, what factors influenced the outcomes, and what adjustments or different strategies they might pursue in future investments.

The written component of this assignment requires a thoughtful reflection on the learning experience. Students should discuss what they gained from the project, such as understanding market volatility, investment risk management, or the importance of research and timing. They should also consider how this exercise can assist in future financial decision-making, especially in real-world investing scenarios. Supporting their analysis with insights from reputable sources—such as the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, Yahoo Finance, or the Wall Street Journal—enhances credibility and demonstrates research skills. Proper citation of these sources according to Strayer Writing Standards is essential.

Ultimately, this assignment aims to develop critical financial literacy skills, including tracking investments, analyzing performance trends, and making informed decisions under uncertain conditions. The integration of quantitative data and qualitative insights offers a comprehensive view of investment management, fostering a deeper understanding of stock market dynamics. By reflecting on what they have learned, students can better prepare for future financial planning, whether for personal portfolios or professional roles in finance.

References

  • Fama, E. F., & French, K. R. (2015). A five-factor asset pricing model. Journal of Financial Economics, 116(1), 1-22.
  • Graham, B., & Dodd, D. (2008). Security analysis: Sixth edition. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Investopedia. (2023). Stock Market Basics. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com
  • Kerzner, H. (2017). Project management: A systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Kumar, P., & Dravid, S. (2014). Stock market volatility and the impact of external shocks: Evidence from India. Journal of Banking & Finance, 40, 41-50.
  • Yahoo Finance. (2023). Stock Quotes & Financial News. Retrieved from https://finance.yahoo.com
  • Wall Street Journal. (2023). Market Data & News. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com
  • Yartey, C. A. (2008). The challenge of stock market development in Africa. IMF Working Paper No. 08/174.
  • Strayer University. (2023). Strayer Writing Standards. Retrieved from https://www.strayer.edu/academics/writing-standards
  • Zhang, L., & Zhang, T. (2020). Investment decision-making under market volatility: Evidence from stock markets. Journal of Finance and Economics, 8(4), 115-124.

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