Stevens News / School of Business News

School of Business Hosts Annual High School Trading Day

In-person final event brought 34 competitors from around the world to Hanlon Financial Systems Center
Dozens of students work at tiered trading desks in The Hanlon Financial Systems Lab, each at dual monitors displaying financial data and trading platforms. Large wall-mounted screens show market information and analytics.

The Stevens School of Business recently welcomed 34 of the nation's best high school equity traders to compete in the finals of its annual Trading Day program. This year's event drew 1,122 registered students, up from 1,000 last year, with competitors representing dozens of states and multiple countries.

The larger field competed earlier this year, with the top finishers earning an invitation to compete in the final round of live trading at the Hanlon Financial Systems Center.

"What makes today especially exciting is that you've all come from far and wide, bringing different experiences, perspectives and from different geographies,” said Joelle Saad-Lessler, Industry Professor and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies. “We are all here united by a shared passion for trading, strategy and competition. Reaching this stage already sets you apart. The skills you've developed will stay with you long after.”

This year's finalists traveled to the Stevens campus from all over the country. In addition to the 11 students from New Jersey and six from New York, participants traveled from Connecticut, Florida, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Tennessee and Washington. This year’s field had an international flavor with finalists coming to Hoboken from the UK and Canada.

Dylan Montano, a junior from Charlotte who attends school in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was this year's winner. Montano said he focused on trading volatile stocks in short windows, buying and selling within 10 to 15 minutes to capitalize on quick movements.

"The competition is the focus, but this program also serves as an outreach function by offering financial education to participating students at no cost in a fun, game-like setting," said SSB associate director of undergraduate outreach, reputation and alumni affairs Lindsay Hartelius. "It introduces students to career paths in business that they would not necessarily have thought of."

2026 Trading Day Results

  • First Place: Dylan Montano | McCallie School (TN)

  • Second Place: Aayan Kalra | Hillsborough High School (NJ)

  • Third Place: Aditya Dokania | Union County Magnet High School (NJ)

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2026 Trading Day Winners

A young male student wearing a white Stevens baseball cap and light blue jacket poses with a woman in black and teal glasses holding a large ceremonial check for $500 made out to "1st Place Winner" from Stevens School of Business, dated May 1, 2026.
Image 2: A smiling male student in a navy quarter-zip poses with a woman in black and teal glasses holding a large ceremonial check for $250 made out to "2nd Place Winner" from Stevens School of Business, dated May 1, 2026, for Stevens Trading Day 2026.
A male student wearing an Adidas cap and glasses poses with a woman in black and red holding a large ceremonial check for $100 made out to "3rd Place Winner" from Stevens Institute of Technology School of Business, dated May 1, 2026.
A young male student wearing a white Stevens baseball cap and light blue jacket poses with a woman in black and teal glasses holding a large ceremonial check for $500 made out to "1st Place Winner" from Stevens School of Business, dated May 1, 2026.
Image 2: A smiling male student in a navy quarter-zip poses with a woman in black and teal glasses holding a large ceremonial check for $250 made out to "2nd Place Winner" from Stevens School of Business, dated May 1, 2026, for Stevens Trading Day 2026.
A male student wearing an Adidas cap and glasses poses with a woman in black and red holding a large ceremonial check for $100 made out to "3rd Place Winner" from Stevens Institute of Technology School of Business, dated May 1, 2026.
A young male student wearing a white Stevens baseball cap and light blue jacket poses with a woman in black and teal glasses holding a large ceremonial check for $500 made out to "1st Place Winner" from Stevens School of Business, dated May 1, 2026.
Image 2: A smiling male student in a navy quarter-zip poses with a woman in black and teal glasses holding a large ceremonial check for $250 made out to "2nd Place Winner" from Stevens School of Business, dated May 1, 2026, for Stevens Trading Day 2026.
A male student wearing an Adidas cap and glasses poses with a woman in black and red holding a large ceremonial check for $100 made out to "3rd Place Winner" from Stevens Institute of Technology School of Business, dated May 1, 2026.