"Want more real world data to practice with? How about a chance to win a free all-access membership to every course in the Maven library? If this sounds interesting, then read on...

We've just added some great data on S&P 500 stock performance to the Data Playground. There is a lot you can do with it, whether you're an Excel jockey, SQL guru, or want to visualize in Power BI or Tableau. Check it out.

To go along with the release of this new dataset, we're going to be giving away one free all-access membership to the Maven platform. We'll share more details about the Maven Market Challenge giveaway below, but first let's talk about the data set...

Working with stock market data

There are quite a few reasons why working with stock market data can be so fun. Here are some of them...

1. It's real data, and there is so much of it

2. The stories in the data are so intersted, especially for companies we know

3. New data is always around the corner (the market keeps rolling)

4. You may find yourself persuing a career in the financial markets

Whatever your reasons for getting excited about stock market data, there is a lot you can do with it as an Analyst.

Check out some of our recommended analyses...

• Which date in the sample saw the largest overall trading volume? On that date, which two stocks were traded most?

• On which day of the week does volume tend to be highest? Lowest?

• On which date did Amazon (AMZN) see the most volatility, measured by the difference between the high and low price?

• If you could go back in time and invest in one stock from 1/2/2014 - 12/29/2017, which would you choose? What % gain would you realize?

Of course, your analysis shouldn't be limited to the above. These are just examples to get you started.

Win a free all-access Maven subscription

As part of the Maven Market Challenge, we'll be giving away a three month, all-access membership to MavenAnalytics.io, completely free of charge. The winner will get access to all of our Excel, Power BI, Tableau, and SQL courses (including some that are coming out soon), and direct support and coaching from our expert instructors.

No purchase is necessary to participate. The challenge is open to both current Maven subscribers and new students who have no relationship with Maven. Anyone can enter.

This is one of those contests where you can increase your odds of winning by putting in some work. Earn more entries by analyzing the data and sharing insights.

Check out the official rules below...

UPDATED: The challenge has closed. Congratulations to the winner, H. Cem Ivegen!

Maven Market Challenge - Official Terms

• Maven Analytics will give away 1 three month subscription for an Individual account. After three months, the subscription will expire.

• No purchase is necessary to enter.

• The challenge will close to new entries on Friday, October 9th, 2020, at 1:00pm Eastern Standard Time. All entries must be submitted prior.

• Contestants may earn a maximum of 31 entries (see How to Play below)

• Maven Analytics will randomly select 1 winning entry from all of the contestants' entries, and will announce the winner on Monday, October 12th, 2020 at 10:00am Eastern Standard Time. The official announcement will be posted on LinkedIn from the Maven Analytics LinkedIn account.

How to Play

• FIRST ENTRY: To earn your first entry, follow Maven Analytics on LinkedIn and share a LinkedIn post that contains both a direct @ mention to @Maven Analytics, and the hashtag #mavenstockchallenge.
  Note: it's okay if you already follow Maven. You can still play.

• UP TO 20 BONUS ENTRIES FOR ANALZYING THE S&P DATA SET: Contestants who have completed the above requirements for their first entry can also earn 2 bonus entries for each insight related to the S&P 500 data set they include in their LinkedIn post. Contestants may include up to 10 insights, for a total of 20 bonus entries total. Insights should be numbered (1., 2., 3., etc) and must be contained in a single post. So try to be concise. Note: anything you find in the data counts as an insight. Just be a storyteller.

• UP TO 10 ADDITIONAL BONUS ENTRIES FOR MENTIONING CONNECTIONS: Contestants who have completed the above requirements for their first entry can also earn 1 bonus entry for each person they mention in their LinkedIn post. Contestants may include up to 10 connection mentions, for a total of 10 additional bonus entries total. Connection mentions must be contained within the body of the post.

In the example post below, I get 1 entry for posting, 2 more entries for @ mentioning Aaron and Chris, and 6 total for including 3 insights (2 entries each). That's 9 total chances to win!

It's that easy. You can get 1 entry just by making a LinkedIn post, and you can get up to 31 entries total by analyzing the data and mentioning your connections in the post.

PRO TIP: try to include people who would be interested in this with your mentions. They will appreciate it.

Don't want to participate in the Maven Market Challenge? No worries, you can still analyze the data on your own. As usual, the data sets you'll find at the Data Playground are there so you can learn. Feel free to dig in anytime.

Check out the S&P data set, and many more, at the Data Playground.

Happy analyzing!

-John"