One way to learn about trading (any sort of vanilla financial instrument), and of course, win some prizes, is to participate in virtual trading competitions. They may not be the most realistic of systems, particularly given that most allow you to trade as if each instrument had almost unlimited volume, but the fundamentals are still real enough to learn about.

Listed below are a few of these risk-less trading competitions, grouped by financial instrument:

Universal (i.e. multiple instruments)

  • BullBearings: Allows you to trade equities, CFDs, and FX. Also allows you to spreadbet virtually. While aimed at the UK market, anyone from anywhere can participate (though you might be ineligible for prizes). Competitions occur from regularly from time to time, but you can still use it to practice anytime.
  • Merrill Lynch Investment Challenge: This is for European university students only, but you can practice trading both equities and futures in this competition. Runs from Jan 7 to Jan 31, with a first prize of 4000 euros (after winning at the final round) and a 1-week spring internship with Merrill Lynch.


CFDs