Henry Schein (HSIC)

If you’re gunning to win your class stock market game, there’s one stock you should definitely check out—Henry Schein (HSIC). Trust me, this company might not be on the tip of everyone’s tongue, but if you’re looking for a top stock that could give you an edge in your school’s stock market competition, this one’s worth considering. Henry Schein dominates the dental supply industry, and with the world finally getting back to normal after the pandemic, its stock could be ready to shine. Plus, a high-risk, high-reward strategy like momentum trading could be exactly what you need to crush your competition.

So why Henry Schein? Picture this: everything from the tools your dentist uses to the rinse cups in the office likely comes from Henry Schein. They supply about 90% of U.S. dental practices. This company is everywhere, and even though the pandemic hurt the dental industry (hello, canceled appointments), dentists are bouncing back. And when dentists make a comeback, so does Henry Schein.

“Henry Schein is the go-to for dental offices, and now that people are going back to their dentists, we expect to see their stock follow suit,” says Alex Turner, a stock market analyst. “It’s one of those quiet giants that could help someone dominate a stock market game.”

In fact, a survey from the American Dental Association shows that 61% of dentists feel confident about their practices recovering. And as more people finally face the music (or the drill) and head back to their dentist, Henry Schein is there, supplying everything from chairs to cutting-edge tech like intraoral scanners. Sales of dental equipment in North America jumped 8.1% in the last quarter alone, and Henry Schein’s backlog of equipment orders is growing. This shows that dentists are ready to invest in their practices, and that’s good news for anyone investing in Henry Schein.

Now, let’s get real about how to use this information to win your stock market game. A high-risk, high-reward strategy—like momentum trading—means you buy stocks on the upswing and ride the wave for short-term gains. Henry Schein’s stock might be cheap right now, but with the dental industry coming back to life, this stock could soar, and fast. Momentum traders thrive on these kinds of moves, and Henry Schein might be your ticket to staying ahead of the competition.

But here’s the thing—momentum trading is great for short-term wins, like in your class stock market game, but it’s not how you want to invest long-term. Long-term investing is all about playing it smart with a diversified portfolio, which means spreading your money across different stocks to lower your risk. A solid example of this is investing in an S&P 500 index fund, which holds shares of the 500 biggest companies out there. This gives you a little bit of everything, and it’s a solid way to build wealth over time. In contrast, betting big on just one stock like Henry Schein is risky—perfect for short-term stock games but not something to rely on for your future.

“Momentum trading works for quick wins, but if you want to build real wealth, you need to diversify,” says Emily Moore, a financial advisor. “For high school students competing in a stock market game, Henry Schein could be that breakout stock to help you win. But when it comes to real-life investing, it’s all about balancing risk and rewards.”

So, while Henry Schein could help you crush your class stock market game, don’t forget that the game ends, and real-life investing requires a different strategy. For now, though, grab that momentum and ride the wave with Henry Schein—you might just find yourself on top of the leaderboard.