NEVER before - never! - has 27? meant so much to so many. Lord knows, there's not a great deal you can buy with such a piddly amount. Once upon a time it was enough for 27 1? lollies at your local shop - but that was before the demise of 1? pieces. And local shops. And before the carbon tax drove up the price of lollies for working families.
Incidentally, those born on the 27th day of the month are broad-minded travellers but can hold a grudge, are tight with their cash and - wait for it - "are able to attract money from unusual sources". That's straight from the web, so file it under "spooky but true".
Why all the fuss about three cubed? Because 27? was all that separated the perennially profitable Pottsy from the tyro, translator Primrose Riordan.
Their battle for second and third last week was close and when dizzy Doreen took a cosmic bath on Pura Vida Energy, which gave up almost a quarter of its value in the home stretch after shooting up in week one, the race for top spot was on.
Pottsy relied heavily again on a gushing Oil Basins performance - up 23 per cent! - particularly as NSX reversed course and slumped 17 per cent. He only added half a per cent to his pile from his "two-speed" portfolio but Primrose couldn't even match that after Aspire Minerals - henceforth "Despair Minerals" - collapsed 13 per cent.
It was a week where mining stocks fell again and the sector finished down 2.9 per cent over the race entire. That capped the broader market's return to 1.9 per cent over four weeks and only our leaders could match that performance. (Remember that old proverb: "racers love resources".)
Dartboard put in a super effort in the last leg, adding 1.7 per cent to claim an unlikely top-four finish. Animal scientist Katie Watson can put her lab coat back on knowing she had a solid race and made money to boot. Chart whiz Richard Pritchard will be more disappointed with finishing in the red and his sixth placing, while engineer Andrew Hutchinson and reader Leanne Vaz will ruefully face the brutal reality of investing: for every winner there's a loser. Just ask Goldman Sachs. Next week, new racers, new race!
Think you could mix it with Doreen? Measure up to Pottsy? Teach Dartboard a lesson he/she's sure to forget? Then put your money where your mouth is: send us an email at investor@fairfax.com.au to take part in the shares race the whole world is talking about.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Who won this week’s shares race and how close was the finish?
Pottsy claimed the top spot, edging out challenger Primrose Riordan by just 27 units — a tiny margin that proved decisive in the race outcome.
Which individual stocks made the biggest moves in the race?
Oil Basins posted the biggest gain, jumping about 23%. By contrast, Pura Vida Energy gave up almost a quarter of its value in the home stretch, NSX slumped about 17%, and Aspire Minerals collapsed around 13%.
How did the mining sector and the broader market perform during the race?
Mining stocks fell over the race, with the sector finishing down about 2.9%. The broader market returned to about 1.9% over the four-week period covered.
What does the article highlight about winners and losers for everyday investors?
The article underscores a simple investing reality: for every winner there’s a loser. Small swings in individual stocks and sectors can create big differences in outcomes, so volatility and mixed results are to be expected.
Which racers besides Pottsy had notable results?
Dartboard put in a strong final leg to claim an unlikely top-four finish, and animal scientist Katie Watson finished with a profit. Chart analyst Richard Pritchard finished in the red, while Andrew Hutchinson and reader Leanne Vaz were disappointed with their results.
How did small percentage changes influence the race outcome?
Small percentage moves were crucial: a 23% rise in Oil Basins and reversals like a nearly 25% drop in Pura Vida Energy or a 13% fall in Aspire Minerals shifted rankings — and a 27-unit difference was enough to decide first place.
Can I take part in the shares race and how do I sign up?
Yes — the article invites readers to join future races. To participate, email investor@fairfax.com.au to enter the shares race.
Why does the article say 'racers love resources' and what does that mean for investors?
The proverb 'racers love resources' reflects that resource and mining stocks often drive strong moves in these competitions. In this race, resource-sector volatility materially affected results, illustrating how resource performance can sway returns for investors and competitors alike.
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