大象传媒

A four year old child, an astrologer and a professional stock picker were doing battle for a week to see which one can make the most money buying shares. The experiment was designed by psychologist Dr Richard Wiseman for National Science Week.

We decided to add to the fun by getting our business reporter, Mary Gahan, to take part. When the 大象传媒's new business editor, Jeff Randall, saw the shares Mary had picked, he advised her to stick to the day job.

Each person had a fantasy £5,000 to invest in any company from the FTSE 100 index. The shares were bought at lunchtime on Thursday March 15. The shareholders were allowed to change their portfolios on Tuesday lunchtime, and the game ended this Friday, March 22.

Mark Goodson is the private investor. He chose the shares he thought would stage a recovery during the week:

• £2,000 in Vodafone
• £1,000 in Marconi
• £1,000 in Cable & Wireless
• £1,000 in Prudential
• Mark decided to stick with these shares rather than exchange them for others.

Christeen Skinner, the astrologer, used celestial guidance to make her choice:

• £1,500 in Baltimore Technology
• £1,500 in Vodafone
• £1,000 in Emap
• £1,000 in Pearson
• Christeen then sold Baltimore and bought BOC; sold Vodafone and bought BAE; sold Emap and bought Unilever; and kept Pearson

Tia Laverne Roberts, aged 4, has avoided all scientific methods. She's invested:

• £1,250 in Old Mutual
• £1,250 in Bank of Scotland
• £1,250 in Sainsbury
• £1,250 in Diageo
• Tia repicked her stocks using the 100 pieces of paper method. She's sold Old Mutual and bought Amvescap; held on to Bank of Scotland; sold Sainsbury and bought Halifax; sold Diageo and bought Bass

Mary Gahan, our business reporter, invested

• £1,000 in BP
• £1,000 in BT
• £1,000 in Barclays Bank
• £1,000 in Debenhams
• £1,000 in Hanson
• Mary has kept BP; sold Barclays and bought Scottish Power; kept Debenhams; sold Hanson and bought Cadbury Schweppes