Fall 2026 - $1,000,000 FMA Student Investing Challenge Sponsored by StockTrak & Cerifi

FMA student members are invited to participate in this virtual trading competition. Using the proprietary StockTrak online system they will have access to research tools, detailed information about companies, the complete list of ticker symbols, financial statements, and more.

Click here for a short tutorial on using the StockTrak platform.

Important Dates: 

5th October 2026: Registration and trading begins

19th October 2026: Deadline for registration and first trade

4th December 2026: Challenge ends

The Rules:

You'll start with $1,000,000 in your portfolio and can build it by selecting equities from the U.S., Toronto, and Mexico exchanges, as well as U.S. bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs.

You must invest at least $900,000 within two weeks of the Challenge open and remain invested through the end of the Challenge to be eligible for prizes (your cash balance must not be above $100,000 at the close of the Challenge).

• Starting portfolio: $1,000,000 cash.
• Eligible assets: equities from U.S., Toronto, and Mexico exchanges, plus U.S. bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs.
• Minimum investment: at least $900,000 within two weeks of the open, and you have to stay invested through the end to be eligible for prizes. Your cash balance can't be above $100,000 at the close.
• Diversification: no more than 10% in any one asset.
• Transaction limit: 400 transactions for the trading period across U.S. (including ETFs), TSX, and Mexico exchanges.
• Minimum stock price: $5 to buy.
• Commission: $10 per trade.
• Restrictions: no margin buying, short selling, or day trading.
• Interest: 3% on cash balances.
• Participation: current FMA members only. Faculty can play but aren't eligible for prizes.

The Prizes:

Top 3 Students

• $300 Amazon Gift Card
• Complimentary access to the CFA Level I, self-study course offered by Cerifi, valued at over $400.
  
• Cerifi Swag!
• Complimentary registration to the 2027 Finance Leaders' Conference, New York, NY, 4 & 5 March 2027*

Students Ranked 4-10

• $100 Amazon Gift Card

All winning students will be acknowledged on FMA social media.

Rankings will be audited and winners announced within 10 days after the end of the Challenge. All decisions of StockTrak are final.

*Prize is non-transferable and covers registration fees only. Travel and accommodation are not included. 

Our sponsors:

Cerifi Meldrum CFA® Exam Prep

Meldrum offers a comprehensive, curriculum-aligned CFA® learning platform trusted by candidates worldwide. The program features expert-led video lectures for Levels I–III, extensive practice questions and mock exams, and structured study notes and planning tools designed to build confidence and drive exam-day success.

StockTrak

Comprehensive stock market simulations and financial literacy games that offer interactive experiences that teach essential concepts of investing and managing finances. These tools help both students and professionals get hands-on with virtual trading and develop practical skills for real-world applications.

Congratulations to the Spring 2026 winners!

Top three:
Simeon Boucher, SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Luke Barndt, Loyola University Maryland
Tommy Leifur, University of North Dakota

Top ten:
Joyell Amore, Pennsylvania State University Erie/Behrend
Tobias Jones, Eastern Michigan University
Damir Dizdarevic, SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Noah Yahnke, University of North Dakota
Cadence Rand, Pennsylvania State University Erie/Behrend
Landon Butler, Texas State University San Marcos
Christopher Pfeifle, University of North Dakota