SHARES RACE WEEK 4

'TWAS the race before Christmas and all through the market; Not moaning but merriment - just listen, just hark it! For last season's stockings investors had hung up with fear; Have been stuffed with the loot of a much better year. And lo! Who's there on the rooftop, smoking and drinking; But our own Mr Market? His eyes bloodshot and squinting. Roped to the tiny carriage in which he was sitting; A team of reindeers stood fretting, harnesses ill-fitting. Skinny or plump, not one looked the same; And he coughed, and yelped, and called them by name! "On Trader! On Investor! Now, Alpha and Beta!; On, Animal Spirits! On, on Bubble and Bust!" And what a telling way to be ending this year; With the Chartist on top, and the Dartboard in rear. "Black is really my colour," Richard happily said; "Doubly so with the rest in not-so-festive red." David and Doreen took out spots two and three; And Chris Parks did well investing responsibly. To Stuart, to Barbara, and to Peter Rowsthorn too; It was a rough month to be part of the crew. So as the good ship 2009 sails out of sight; "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"