Ticker Tactics

TICKER AUDIT & PRICE TREND

COMPANY NAME

TICKER SYMBOL

EXCHANGE (NYSE/NASDAQ)

PURCHASE PRICE

CURRENT PRICE

52-WK LOW / HIGH

GAIN / LOSS ($ or %)

Tactical Recommendation:

BUY MORE HOLD SELL

INVESTMENT THESIS (Explain your reasoning based on trends, news, or target price):

2 PORTFOLIO HOLDING #2

TICKER AUDIT & PRICE TREND

COMPANY NAME

TICKER SYMBOL

EXCHANGE (NYSE/NASDAQ)

PURCHASE PRICE

CURRENT PRICE

52-WK LOW / HIGH

GAIN / LOSS ($ or %)

Tactical Recommendation:

BUY MORE HOLD SELL

INVESTMENT THESIS (Explain your reasoning based on trends, news, or target price):

PART 4

Trade Strategy & Exit Challenge

6. Paper Gains vs. Hard Cash: Your SMG portfolio shows an "unrealized gain" of $1,250 on a renewable energy stock. What happens if the company reports bad quarterly earnings tomorrow before you sell? What does "realizing" a gain mean?

7. Strategic Rule: Name one valid reason to sell a stock at a loss (instead of just hoping it bounces back).

Ticker Tactics • Page 2 of 2 Stock Market Game Lab • Portfolio Analysis Complete

Ticker Tactics Facilitation Guide • Page 1 of 2 Turn over for Answer Key & Model Portfolio Audit

ANSWER KEY

Student Lab Worksheet Solutions

For Teacher Reference & Grading

1 Part 1: Historical Roots & Ticker Anatomy Solutions

1. Buttonwood Agreement (1792): Brokers agreed to trade exclusively with each other at standard commission rates without public manipulation. This created trust, liquidity, and a centralized, regulated marketplace that became the NYSE.

2. Ticker Tape (1867): Named for the loud "tick-tick-tick" sound of the mechanical telegraph wheel stamping symbols and prices onto narrow paper ribbon. It democratized prices across the nation simultaneously.

2 Part 2: Technical Chart Analysis Solutions

3. 52-Week Range Position: At $128.00, NVDA is trading significantly closer to its 52-week high ($140.76) than its low ($45.50). This indicates sustained, strong bullish momentum and high investor demand over the past 12 months.

4. Trend Classification: Uptrend (Bullish). Higher highs and higher lows reflect consistent upward pressure where buyers repeatedly step in at higher floor prices.

5. The "1-Day Trap": Daily price movements often reflect random short-term noise, algorithm trades, or broad market dips rather than fundamental changes in the company's business health. Panic selling locks in temporary losses prematurely.

3 Part 3: Guiding the SMG Audit & Model Investment Thesis

What constitutes a high-scoring student thesis?

Ensure students don't simply write "Because I think it will go up." Look for concrete data:

Exemplar (Hold/Buy More): "AAPL is currently at $228.50, up 8% from our buy price of $211. It's consolidating near its 52-week high with upcoming holiday earnings catalysts. We recommend HOLDING with a trailing profit target of $245."

4 Part 4: Realized vs. Unrealized Gain & Exit Challenge

6. Paper Gains: An unrealized gain only exists on paper while you hold the stock. If earnings report negatively tomorrow, the share price will plummet and wipe out the $1,250 profit. "Realizing" the gain means submitting a sell order to convert the stock back into liquid cash in your account.

7. Reason to Sell at a Loss: Acceptable answers: 1) The original investment thesis was invalidated (e.g., lost major contract, CEO fraud); 2) Limiting loss to preserve capital before the stock drops another 30%; 3) Opportunity cost—redeploying capital into a higher-conviction, growing stock.

Ticker Tactics Facilitation Guide • Page 2 of 2 Stock Market Game Instructional Support