How Much Information Do You Need?

You have decided to buy some stock or mutual funds, but wonder which one to buy. You need more information so you call your broker for advice. A so-called "full service" broker will bury you with all kinds of reports, analysis sheets and other pretty pieces of paper, but will probably try to sell you something that makes him the most commission.

Let's see. What does Wall Street think you should know? Of course, you will want a company that is currently favorable or "hot" ? like WorldCom used to be. Then you need to look at their financial statement that has been audited by a big accounting firm. ? like Arthur Andersen. You really should check to see if they have any big outstanding financial obligations that have little asterisks next to them in the Annual Report ? like under funded pension plans.

Of course you will want to get their financial statement to check their P/E ratio. That's Price/ Earnings or how many years of earnings it will take to make back the price of the stock today. The lower that number the better. For many years the average has been about 14. If it is above 20 or 30, well ??? We won't factor in the rate of inflation that will dilute the buying power year after year. And there are lots of other numbers like this Wall Street says you should be studying.

Maybe it is easier to buy a mutual fund. You can go to Morningstar for every bit of information about a fund you can think of. They will show the breakdown of the funds' portfolio, but that can easily be 6 months old. They do have those star ratings. From one to 5 stars, but I can't recall seeing any one star funds and hardly any 2 stars. Why? Well, I think they don't want to offend the fund manager even though he is not making money for his clients.

In fact, they love to give 5 stars to funds that have had losing years one after another. Unfortunately some of their information is out of date. They do list all the stocks the fund owns, but the fund may have sold them so you can't tell for certain what they are investing in.

Brokers want to send you reports, graphs, company updates, interim reports and I don't know what all, but stop and ask yourself, "If I can get this so can everybody else so what good is it?" Now you've got it. None. All that information will not tell you that after you buy it it will go up ? and that's all you want to know.

Basically there are two things you want to know. 1. Is it going up? 2. If it goes down where do I sell it to protect my capital? That's all the information you need.

Al Thomas' book, "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It!" has helped thousands of people make money and keep their profits with his simple 2-step method. Read the first chapter at http://www.mutualfundmagic.com and discover why he's the man that Wall Street does not want you to know.

Copyright 2005

Batchtown Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
In The News:

A virtual private network can help ensure your information remains security and your privacy remains intact. Kurt the CyberGuy explains.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Artificial intelligence-based cameras are giving air defense operators unprecedented capabilities in monitoring and protecting airspace.
Apple's iOS 18.1 Inactivity Reboot automatically reboots your iPhone if it hasn't been used or unlocked for more than three days, providing better data protection.
An inventor designed rooftop solar panels for a Tesla that draws solar energy while the car is parked, adding travel mileage without plugging in.
There are currently no laws governing what artificial intelligence can and cannot do with the information it gathers; here are 10 things to avoid telling AI chatbots to keep yourself safe.
A credit union with over 240,000 members recently revealed it was targeted by cybercriminals, resulting in a data breach that was part of a two-month attack by hackers.
Scammers have become skilled at creating convincing fake websites that can easily fool unsuspecting users. The CyberGuy offers tips to protect yourself.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
CAPTCHAs, which are used by websites to confirm whether users are people or bots, are harmless, but hackers are using them to infect PCs with malware.
Hackers recently leaked personal information of about 500,000 Americans and stole patient medical records that included lab results and insurance details.
The holiday season sees a rise in mobile shopping scams. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you learn how to stay safe.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says a VPN enhances online banking security by encrypting data and protecting privacy.
Beware of these six sneaky holiday scams. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson gives you tips to avoid falling victim.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how to securely back up and factory reset your Android to protect your privacy and data.
Artificial intelligence is making life easier for cybercriminals, allowing them to create elaborate scams to trick people. Kurt the Cyberguy explains how to protect yourself.
Cut through all the digital clutter and delete multiple emails from your Android simultaneously. Kurt the CyberGuy explains how it's done.
Tips to prevent your holiday decorations from being stolen
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson lays out the immediate steps you should take if your phone has been hacked and your personal information becomes vulnerable.
Fraudsters are sending people bogus invoices through PayPal as part of a sneaky scam that is going around; here's how to protect yourself from being fooled.
A former Colgate-Palmolive employee was shocked to discover $750,000 had been drained from her 401(k) account. "CyberGuy" offers tips on how to prevent identity theft.
Electric vehicle maker Harbinger recently showed its electric delivery truck can handle icy roads with agility and stability in winter.
To make the busiest time of year more manageable, here are some tricks for tracking your packages, taking quality family photos and curating the perfect Christmas playlist.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how to keep your online Amazon gift purchases a secret from loved ones or friends this holiday season.

Stock Insurance

You have a lock on your house. You have a... Read More

Low Tide

When you stand on the ocean shore and watch the... Read More

Some Good News for A Change

Before we get into all the good news out there,... Read More

Why Investors Use Financial Planners

Do you have a financial planner? Does one of your... Read More

Municipal Bonds

Because there are so many stocks that are NOT paying... Read More

365/7/24

What does it take to be a stock trader? It... Read More

What the Hell is a Stock option?

A 'stock option' is a contract between two parties giving... Read More

Lifestyle Funds Provide Greater Security?

With the stock market stubbornly refusing to settle down and... Read More

The Secret Method to Selecting a Winning Trading System

Every successful trader has a winning system. There are of... Read More

Top 25 Growth Funds

On Monday, November 25, 2000 Investor's Business Daily listed on... Read More

Stock Market Education; Day Trading for Beginnners; How to Pick Stocks

The trading method you employ to approach the stock market... Read More

What To Buy?

Now that you have some money burning a hole in... Read More

You Don?t HAVE To Be Trading

As a novice trader, you'll often feel the need to... Read More

How Much Information Do You Need?

You have decided to buy some stock or mutual funds,... Read More

Prospering with Mutual Funds: How Anyone can ?Afford? an Investment Advisor

Recently I was invited to appear on a live CNNfn... Read More

The Golden Goose is Sick

It is finally catching up with them. The brokerage companies... Read More

Investing in the Stock Market - When To!

Is really not as important as to how you invest... Read More

Bottoms Ups

If you have talked to a stock broker or financial... Read More

Bull or Bear?

Cat or dog? Maybe Zebra. Shucks, I don't know, but... Read More

What Are You Waiting For?

Do you own any mutual funds? In an IRA or... Read More

Stock Market Insanity

Let's first define insanity. It is doing the same thing... Read More

Duck

Duck! No I don't mean a quack, quack. I meant... Read More

Attitude Is [Almost] Everything

I often play a little game with myself when I... Read More

Trading Tips No 5: Stock Trading Curve Drawdown and Commitment

All stock trading and investing methods must deal with the... Read More

Dispelling Illusions of the Stock Market

How can you dispel an illusion unless you look directly... Read More

shuttle from Midway Munster are ..