$15,000 Prize Stock Picking Contest

I have always wanted to launch a stock-picking contest. Just thinking about doing this idea brings back some good memories of when I started investing in the late 1980s when I started paper trading by participating in stock picking contests put together by the USA Today publication. So here we go…

Join our free-to-play stock-picking competition by MS Microcaps. No real money. No risk. Just smart picks to prove your skills and a shot at the leaderboard.

(This is a microcap stock picking contest, where the picks will have to have a market cap of $550 million or less).

By participating in the contest, you agree to our Rules, Terms & Conditions, and Disclaimer.

Pick Your Winning Stocks by filing out the form here! (please note that you might have to double click the link to visit the form).

The deadline for submission is Midnight, EST, May 10th, 2025 (Saturday). See rules below 👇

1. Eligibility & Entry

The competition is open to participants who comply with U.S. securities laws and are of legal age. The participants can be from outside the U.S.

Each participant must submit their stock picks before the deadline specified by the competition organizers.

This is not a day trading contest, so modifications to stock picks after submission are not permitted.

One entry per participant.

2. Portfolio Selection Criteria

Each participant must select stocks divided into two groups: Starters and Bench.

Starting Line-Up or “Starters”

• Choose 3 to 5 stocks that meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • Market capitalization equal to or below $550 million at the time of selection.

  • Shares outstanding less than 55 million.

  • The company must be generating revenue (i.e., no pre-revenue companies).

Group 2: Runner-ups or "Bench” (To break ties)

• Choose 2 stocks from the MS Microcap March Virtual Conference. You will be provided with a list of 19 stocks. You can see all the 19 stocks in the below post.

3. Performance Calculation

• Returns for your stock picks will start being tracked at the time you submit your stock pick(s).

• The peak portfolio return during the competition is used for rankings (not the current or final return). More specifically, portfolio performance is ranked based on the highest recorded average return for the 3 to 5 “Starters” during the competition period.

• Example: If a portfolio reaches +30% at its highest point but ends at -2%, the 30% return is recorded.

• The current average “Starter” returns will still be posted and ranked for potential bonus prizes.

• Returns for the “Bench” will be calculated to break ties with regard to “Starter” returns. See 4. Tiebreakers 👇

4. Tiebreakers

In case of a tie (When two “Starter” portfolios with the same highest peak return):

1. Best “Bench” Performance - The participant whose performance in the Starting Five portfolio is higher wins*.

2. Best Individual Stock Performance Across “Starters” and “Bench” – The participant whose best-performing stock had the highest return wins*.

3. Second-Best Individual Stock Performance Across “Starters” and “Bench” – If still tied, the second-best performing stock will be used*.

4. Earliest Submission – If still tied, the participant who submitted their picks first wins.

*based on peak return

5. Trading & Restrictions

• Only long positions allowed.

• No changes to stock selections once the competition begins.

• No short selling.

• No derivatives or ETFs allowed.

• No trading during the competition period as performance is calculated passively.

• No Cryptocurrencies allowed.

6. Competition Period

• The deadline for submission of stock picks is Midnight, EST, May 10th, 2025 (Saturday).

• The competition will run from May 11th, 2025 to November 11th, 2025.

• Performance will be tracked and reported at regular intervals.

7. Prizes & Recognition

The prize pool:

• 1st place - $5,000

• 2nd place - $3,000

• 3rd place - $2,000

• 4th to 10th place - $700 per place

Also, bonus prizes, such as free subscriptions to MSM Cliff Notes Substack or GeoInvesting to participants.

Winners will be recognized based on their portfolio’s peak performance.

8. Compliance & Fair Play

Contest participants must adhere to all rules and cannot use insider information or market manipulation tactics.

• The competition organizers reserve the right to disqualify any participant violating the rules.

By entering the competition, participants agree to abide by these rules and the Stock-Picking Competition Disclaimer and Terms and Conditions.

So what are you waiting for? Enter the fantasy stock team here!