Monkey 1 rules, but brokers eke out a small victory

Ahh! Sweet revenge. For the week ending 20 April, the brokers’ portfolio, which consists of 10 stocks chosen by 10 stock market experts , stole a march on the competition by adding 1.9 percent. In comparison, the Sensex and Nifty put on 1.6 percent each.

Monkey portfolio 2, which contains 10 randomly chosen stocks from the BSE 500 , followed with a 1 percent gain. Coming in last was Monkey portfolio 1, consisting of 10 randomly selected stocks from the BSE 100 , which gained a mere 0.4 percent.

But this weekly victory was all the brokers could manage. For the period since all three portfolios were created (19 August 2011), it’s Monkey 1 who still rules.

The portfolio jumped a healthy 9.7 percent for the 35 weeks since inception (view portfolio here ). The star performers were Tata Global and Yes Bank, which added 38 percent each.

In runner-up position was the brokers’ portfolio, which climbed 9.4 percent ( view portfolio here ). MRF put in a stunning performance, surging an incredible 82 percent. This is the best performance by any stock across all three portfolios.

Monkey 2’s long-term stars still haven’t changed that much, as its portfolio remained below the original investment of Rs 1,00,000, shedding 4.9 percent ( view portfolio here) . Its best stock performer was Noida Toll, which gained 17 percent. But that gain was more than offset by a 40 percent loss in Mannapuram Finance, the portfolio’s biggest loser.

Word is, the brokers are celebrating their small victory by heading to a frozen yoghurt-serving outlet in Mumbai this weekend. Since it’s perfect weather (hot and muggy) to sample some cool desserts, the_khakra-_ and _dhokla-_loving brokers have decided to treat their palates to a new culinary experience.

Monkey 2, on the other hand, is apparently stuffing his face with ice-cream (the weather is getting to everyone) and watching reruns of “Planet of the Apes” as he glumly ponders the flailing fortunes of his portfolio. Keep doing that and it won’t be only his portfolio he’ll be worrying about; he might get a little heavy to clamber up trees as well.

Monkey 1, meanwhile, has secretly found that the brokers are seeking help from some influential market heavyweights (including the man reverentially called The Big Bull) to pump up the value of their portfolio and bring down Monkey 2. He’s mulling whether the simians should also play dirty and approach Big Bull for help.

So, will the Monkeys and Bull team up?

All will be revealed – we hope – next week!