We’re about to put everyone here at Paradigm Press (yes, even you) to the test in a simple challenge…

Pick the single stock you believe will deliver the biggest gain in 30 days.

Whoever gets it right will earn the title of Paradigm’s Top Trader — and take home a $50,000 cash prize.

The game is simple.

Starting next week on “Ticker Tuesday,” you pick a stock you think will be the market’s best performer from April 1st through April 30th.

Once you lock in your pick, we’ll track all the entries.

Then the trader who selects the biggest gainer at the end of the month will earn the title of Paradigm’s Top Trader — and the $50,000 grand prize.

The best part? The biggest gain wins. No funny business. No investment necessary.

But there is one catch… The challenge is happening fast!

You’re tasked with picking a ticker that will deliver gains over a 30-day window. So you don’t have a lot of time for a traditional investment thesis to play out.

Instead, you’re going to have to think like a true trader.

I know this is a daunting task. In fact, I’ve tested my mettle in trading contests like this one before.

And I know from my many years of experience trading short-term time frames that you need to think differently to come out on top.

Since you’re taking the time to read this note today, I’m offering you what I think could be a leg up on the competition.

This is the “cheat sheet” that I'll use to find my own ticker for the Challenge.

While I can’t promise a win, you’ll definitely be in the running if you follow my three simple rules.

1. Fundamentals Are Not Your Friend

I expect more than a few challenge participants to enter the ticker of their favorite long-term stock, likely a name they are already holding in their personal portfolio.

On the surface, this selection makes sense. After all, they’re already familiar with the fundamental story and have an inherent bias toward the stock.

But remember, this challenge is all about short-term gains. Fundamentals don’t matter too much over the course of just a few weeks.

You also might be tempted to latch onto your favorite household name, a steady performer that is more consistent than smaller, much more volatile stocks.

The trouble with this strategy is these stocks rarely post big, sudden gains — the type of action you would need to sniff the grand prize in a trading contest.

Sure, shares of Apple or Coca-Cola will likely hold up just fine barring a huge market meltdown. But it’s unlikely that they will be the top dogs on April 30.

2. Find the Catalysts

One of the first things you should do when building a list of potential tickers for this contest is pull up a calendar.

Look for stocks that are reporting earnings at some point during the month. Which ones have the best chance at surprising investors and triggering a bigger rally?

Check for other big events like potential FDA approvals for a pharma company or a new product release that might impress Wall Street.

Review seasonality factors. Which stocks and sectors tend to outperform in April? Which stocks aren’t great bets during the midterm election cycle?

Finally, check those charts!

You’re going to want a ticker that’s either trending higher or a beaten-down, oversold name that has the makings of a major comeback in April.

3. Go for Broke!

One of the best parts about a trading contest like this one is simple: You can’t lose!

You don’t have to buy the ticker you select. And you aren’t managing a real portfolio position.

There’s no way the stock you choose could damage your returns for the year. This gives you the freedom to go all out!

Since you don’t have to worry about all of the usual trading pitfalls, you can get as “risky” as you want with your selection.

When I was participating in a no-holds-barred internal trading challenge at Paradigm a couple of years ago, I was slinging some insane options plays ahead of earnings announcements that I would never touch in my real account.

Many of them were complete losses. But a few were massive winners that gave me an edge over my competition.

If you want a chance to leave everyone else in a cloud of dust, you have to take a big risk — especially since this trading challenge is just one ticker. All or nothing!

Put on your big boy pants, step up to the plate, and swing for the fences.

You don’t have a moment to lose.

Set aside some time this weekend to research your pick for the challenge.

On Ticker Tuesday (that’s this coming Tuesday, March 24), you’ll receive a text message and email from us with the official link to submit your stock pick.

And don’t worry, I’ll be with you every step of the way.

See you at the challenge!