The market has taken a sudden turn and the rankings have shifted quite a bit in the KPMG Senior School Investment Challenge as the competition draws to a close.

Only one of the 18 teams is in a profitable position, after the market took back what it had given in the earlier months.

The last month has just begun with a very tight race as the remaining weeks will determine who will take home the top prizes.

Since 2005, the challenge has been inviting students to learn how to invest in their futures. As a part of KPMG’s ongoing commitment to education and youth development, the firm has hosted the investment club-like initiative.

Schools are permitted to enter a maximum of two teams per year and each team is given $100,000 in virtual funds to trade over six months.

At the end of the programme, real cash prizes of $10,000, $6,000 and $4,000 are awarded to the first, second and third-placed teams respectively. These funds are used by the schools for a variety of educational initiatives.

With support from the Ministry of Education and the heads of the private schools, each of the island’s eight senior schools participates, annually.

The main objective is to generate interest in investment, develop awareness of the capital markets and raise awareness of career opportunities within the various segments of the capital markets.

The exercise also increases exposure to international business activities as they impact global and local stock markets.

Each year, KPMG provides mentors to support and guide the students. In addition, a number of prominent clients make themselves available to speak with the students on topics related to the capital markets.

The winning teams will be announced at a prize-giving ceremony in May at the Bermuda Society of Arts at City Hall.

The Moral Hazards team from Warwick Academy had a leadership position for most of the competition, but have now fallen to sixth place.

The second Warwick Academy team, Enterprise Explorers, have taken over the leadership position, with Titanium (CedarBridge Academy) in second and The Saints (Saltus) in third.

Going into the final month, Enterprise Explorers were the only team with more virtual money ($100,405.62) than when they started in November.

The competition ends with final trading this month.