The first investing contest is officially ended!  Three people entered, each with totally different portfolio builds.  Here's what everyone started with:

1) CTRP: 16 shares at $60.11 per share, plus $7.00 commission, leaving this investor with $31.24 out of $1000.

2) JCP: 22 shares at $44.12 per share, plus $7.00 commission, leaving this investor with $22.36 out of $1000.

3) GILD, MLNM, CSG: 9 shares at $46.54 per share, 9 shares at $14.74 per share, and 8 shares at $51.62 per share, minus a total of $21.00 from commissions, leaving this investor with $14.52 out of $1000.

At market close today, all stock was sold and the final cash amounts were compared.

CTRP ended today at $60.23 per share, with 16 shares selling for $963.68.  After commission, $956.68 was added to $31.24, so this investor ended with $987.92.

GILD, MLNM, and CSG ended today at $47.07, $15.07, and $52.03 per share respectively, with 9 shares of GILD selling for $423.63, 9 shares of MLNM selling for $135.63, and 8 shares of CSG selling for $416.24.  After commissions, $416.63, $128.63, and $409.24 were added to $14.52, so this investor ended with $969.02.

JCP ended today at $47.92 per share, with 22 shares selling for $1054.24.  After commission, $1047.24 was added to $22.36, so this investor ended up with $1069.60.  Investor #2 is the clear winner of this contest.

This result is an emphatic success for common business sense.  It's the Christmas season, and JC Penney is a department store.  Sometimes, the market really does work exactly like you expect.  Even without today's phenomenal boost of $3.08 per share, the JCP portfolio was leading.  This choice showed good sense, and the results followed.  $20 will be awarded to this investor.