Returns bolt to finishing line as party end of race rushes into view

IT'S week three and we are at the "business end" of the race, not to be confused with the "party end", which is where Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt finds himself at the close of any given event.

By InvestSMART · 12 Aug 2012

By InvestSMART ·
12 Aug 2012

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IT'S week three and we are at the "business end" of the race, not to be confused with the "party end", which is where Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt finds himself at the close of any given event.

Chartist Richard Pritchard would be starting to dream a little dream as we round into the final stretch. He's kept clean air between himself and his nearest competitor, reader Tim Martin, who is putting in the hard yards but not making significant ground on the leader.

The local sharemarket trotted up 0.9 per cent and every single one of our racers, bar one notable exception, galloped well ahead of that benchmark. Oil and gas explorer and contender for lamest name award, FAR, was Richard's best stock, up 15 per cent.

Tim was similarly among the best, after NSL Consolidated surged 15 per cent, while Syrah Resources jumped double-digits. Risk is back and so fashionable it'll be on catwalks next. That left stocks like Tim's pick of Coca-Cola without an invite to the dance - it fell 4 per cent.

Medical student Alice Pearlman is staying just ahead of Doreen Daze, but within earshot of her sorcerous imprecations. Alice's picks looked pretty solid across the board, as befits the bluish tinge of her portfolio.

Dartboard has trampolined out of the basement and is now the best of the rest.

It looks to be curtains for architect Ian Burch and author Peter Jochinger, despite strong performances that put them back in the black.

Pottsy looks like he's trying to dig himself out of his hole - not the smartest strategy, but if anyone can do it, Pottsy can.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

How did the local sharemarket perform this week and what does a 0.9% rise mean for investors?

The article reports the local sharemarket rose 0.9% this week. That gain was broad-based in the piece — most of the featured stock picks outperformed that benchmark — signalling a generally positive short-term market tone in the period covered.

Which stocks were the biggest winners mentioned in the article?

The standout winners named were FAR, an oil and gas explorer (up about 15%), NSL Consolidated (also surged about 15%), and Syrah Resources, which jumped by double-digits. The article highlights these as top performers among the group.

Which stock picks underperformed or lagged behind in the race?

The article notes one notable exception that lagged: Coca‑Cola, which was a pick of reader Tim Martin and fell about 4%. Overall, most racers beat the benchmark but some defensive or well-known names didn’t keep pace.

What does the article mean when it says 'risk is back' for investors?

In the article's wording, 'risk is back' describes a market mood where riskier or more volatile stocks rallied strongly (as shown by the big moves in resource and smaller-cap names). The piece contrasts that with more conservative picks that didn’t participate as much in the rally.

Who are the top-performing participants in the article’s investment ‘race’?

Chartist Richard Pritchard is portrayed as the leader at the 'business end' of the race. Reader Tim Martin and medical student Alice Pearlman are among the better-performing participants (Tim with big winners like NSL and Syrah; Alice’s picks looked solid). Dartboard is described as the 'best of the rest.'

What specific detail does the article give about FAR’s performance?

The article describes FAR as an oil and gas explorer and says it was Richard Pritchard’s best stock, rising about 15% in the period covered.

How did resource-focused names like Syrah Resources perform according to the article?

Syrah Resources is reported to have 'jumped double-digits,' marking it among the stronger performers highlighted in the article’s roundup of stock picks.

What overall tone or takeaway does the article convey for everyday investors following these stock picks?

The article conveys an upbeat, competitive tone — we’re at the 'business end' of the race with several strong performers and a renewed appetite for risk. It highlights winners across resource and smaller-cap names, a few laggards, and participants either pulling ahead or trying to recover as the contest moves toward the final stretch.