Today’s the day! The Market Madness Final Four will be set as our last eight companies enter the final day of play within their own brackets. Eight eager companies fighting for the most sought-after prize in online share-price related tournaments. There are some big players left, with Google (GOOG) and Bank of America (BAC) still in the running. There’s a well-recognized brand trying to make a statement with Smith & Wesson (SWHC) in action. Finally, the small cap market has its representative with LivePerson (LPSN)! Be sure to keep checking the Equities.com Market Madness Bracket.
So, without further ado, lets get right into the action!
The Blue Chip Bracket
15. Coca-Cola (KO) +0.10 percent over 8. Google (GOOG) -0.54 percent
Coca-Cola got revenge for the entire Warren Buffett family of stocks in a squeeker that saw a win by less than one percentage point! Google knocked out Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) in the first round, then took down one of Buffett’s biggest investments in Wells Fargo (WFC) to reach the Elite Eight, so it must have been sweet for the Oracle of Omaha to see the soft drink company that has long been a cornerstone of his portfolio dispatch the world’s most popular search engine once and for all.
Mid Major Bracket
13. Bank of America (BAC) +2.60 percent over 6. Illumina (ILMN) +0.48 percent
Bank of America’s run to glory continues and doesn’t appear ready to stop. Bank of America has put up solid numbers and has ridden a wave of success ever since Christmas. The company’s bull run has to make it the current favorite to win the entire tournament.
Road to Redemption Bracket
3. Alcoa (AA) +1.00 percent over Carnival (CCL) +0.10 percent
Alcoa advances to the Final Four as Carnival came out flat in this Elite Eight matchup. The aluminum giant’s had a solid outing, foiling the championship aspirations of the cruise line and sending them on a long trip back home early.
Cinderella Bracket
7. Smith & Wesson (SWHC) +1.43 percent over 5. LivePerson (LPSN) -1.35 percent
SMith & Wesson has had a Final Four birth in its sights since day one, and all it had to do was gun down a LivePerson to get there. The handgun company won in a blowout, and it’s now aiming its focus squarely at a title come next week.
The Final Four
Tune in Monday for the penultimate day of Market Madness. Smith & Wesson will fire away at Bank of America for its chance to play in the title while Coca-Cola may need a pick-me-up to take down Baker Hughes. The two finalists in the tournament will be set on Monday!
