Making a monkey out of professionals with stock picks

17 Dec, 2008 15:40 / Updated 15 years ago

Do you recall the earlier months of this year when respected analysts and brokerage houses were eyeing an end of year level for the RTS of 3000?

Finans Magazine does, and with the RTS currently nudging 700 it thought it needed to look at another way of getting stock market guidance and has turned to a female monkey from the Durov animal circus.  It coaxed the young monkey into choosing 8 publicly listed company from a group of 30 with independent observers present to ensure that there was no pressure on the monkey from any organizer to choose one stock or another.  The monkey chose Polyus Gold, Rosneft, Lukoil, Avtovaz, Gazprom-Neft, Surgutneftegaz, Sberbank, Uralsvyazinform.  Finans Magazine intends to set up a portfolio matching the monkey’s selection, and monitor it throughout 2009 to see how it compares with the professionals and their advice. Monkey Portfolio 1.    Avtovaz 2.    GazpromNeft 3.    Lukoil 4.    Polyus Gold 5.    Rosneft 6.    Sberbank 7.    Surgutneftegaz 8.    Uralsvyazinform Other stories: Merry Meltdown! Xmas cards mock crisis Russia can escape worst effects of downturn – Roubini Learning crisis-speak