After Paul the octopus in Germany successfully predicted eight straight results in the recent World Cup, a stock investor surnamed Huang in Fuzhou, Fujian Province bought an octopus on July 13 to forecast the stock market.

Huang drew a dividing line on the bottom of a water basin, with one half labeled "up" and the other "down" and placed his Chinese "Paul" on the center of the line to see which way it would move.

If the creature didn't move it meant the market would remain stable or "balanced."

However, the stock-picking octopus failed in its first try, staying on the line, though stocks rose on July 14.

Huang was reportedly so upset that he said he planned to cook and eat his failed eight-limbed stock seer.

Editor: Xu Xinlei

Source: Global Times