Trading Help and FAQ

What is Virtual Fund Management?

We have endeavored to create a real-world stock market simulation for our members. Each registered member of Stockopedia is allowed to manage one fund at a time and each fund starts on day 1 with 1,000,000 in notional "Stockopedia Pounds". Performance is then tracked and compared over time between funds based on the change in net asset value (NAV) over a specific period of time.

How many Stocks can I have in my Fund?

Members may select equities for their funds from those covered on the Stockopedia site (i.e. UK listed equities, both Main Market and AIM). For the ranking tables, you must have a minimum of 5 stocks and a maximum of 50 stocks in your portfolio. However, beware frictional trading costs, as each trade cost the higher of 15 basis points or £12.50).

What is the Stockopedia Challenge?

The 2009 Stockopedia Fantasy Fund Challenge is a virtual trading competition which started on 31st March and runs until 31st December. Late Registrations are available. The Manager of the Fund that has the best relative performance by 31st December 2009 wins the top prize of a flight for two to New York. The top 100 managers over this period will become part of the inaugral Stockopedia 100 Index to launch on in 2010. No previous experience of the stock market is necessary. Inexperienced investors are most welcome to participate. Please click here for further details.

What are the Compliance Rules?

For the ranking tables, we have introduced basic compliance rules to ensure that the top funds in any quarter have competed with the necessary diversification and investment criteria. In order to be in the ranking:

1. Funds must be at least 60% invested in equities (holding cash in a bear market doesn't say much about your stock picking ability!).
2. The largest single equity holding in a fund must be less than 25% of the value of the fund.
3. No single equity position greater than 15% of a fund size can be purchased or added to.
4. No fund may own more than 3% of a companyís market capitalisation (this is to discourage oversized speculation in illiquid securities).
5. You must have a minimum of 5 stocks and a maximum of 50 stocks in your portfoli

These constraints are less constrictive than professional funds, but are more reflective of private investor tendencies.

What are the Trading Hours?

The LSE is open from 07:50 to 16:35 (8.00 to 16.30, excluding the opening and closing auctions). After hours trading will not be permitted.

Are the prices real-time?

Stock price quotations on Stockopedia are delayed at least 20 minutes. Orders submitted for entry outside of normal trading hours, 8:00 a.m. to 16:30 p.m, will be entered into the appropriate order book for execution at the opening of the following trading day.

How are Trades executed?

Simulated order executions for fund trades are based on the actual reported trades of LSE stocks, on a share for share basis, following a minimum 20-minute order delay. Market and limit orders are accepted, as are day and good til cancelled (GTC) orders. GTC orders will remain active for 14 days, at which point the order will be closed.