As of close of market - 3/31/08

Theorizing is important, and yet, sometimes it's refreshing when someone just "puts their money where their mouth is" - so to speak. We threw down the gauntlet before three of our BrainTrust panelists. The challenge: give us a stock portfolio of up to four retail companies with the goal of getting the best return on an investment on $100,000 (that's fantasy dollars) for the first quarter 2008. (CLICK HERE, to see details and disclaimers...)

Final 1Q Results:

Congratulations Doron Levy! (The smallest loser)

Well, let's put it this way. The S&P 500 lost 8.6 percent in the first quarter, so perhaps a performance of -6.37 percent isn't all that awful. And it was enough for Doron Levy to edge by Eric Togneri in the final days and snatch the Portfolio Challenge victory.

Mr. Togneri's chances looked terrific at one point earlier in the battle as a spike in Circuit City's price propelled his portfolio to over 9 percent gains. But CC went on a real roller coaster ride and wound up down by over 6 percent at the quarter's close. Mr. Togneri's final result: -7.39 percent

Mr. Levy's group had the distinction of including the biggest laggard (Whole Foods - down almost 20 percent) and greatest gainer (Home Depot - up 3 percent). In the end it was HD and Target that made the difference for him.

Mark Lilien's portfolio was, well, consistent. In expectation of a rough U.S. economy, Mr. Lilien went with all non-U.S. stocks. After just a few weeks, the portfolio sunk to double-digit negative ranges and stayed there for the duration. (It was a good idea that we're sure he would have abandoned quickly, had the rules allow for mid-quarter trading). Final result: -16.05 percent.

Thanks our three competitors for participating and putting up with the gentle ribbing. You're good sports, all!