Introduction

The eleven lessons in this course explain the characteristics of successful stocks and the forces that push them up. The first seven lessons explain specific traits to look for when buying stocks. The eighth is a summary, providing you with a checklist for evaluating stocks. The ninth and tenth lessons offer instruction on how to read stock charts to give you the total picture before you make your purchase decisions. The final lesson explains how to monitor stocks once they're part of a portfolio.

This course is based on the findings of a landmark study that identified the common characteristics of the best stocks before they made their major advances. You'll also learn how to use features in Investor's Business Daily and investors.com to check if a stock really has the characteristics of a winner.

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• Earnings: The Indispensable Element Of Great Stocks

  The single most important gauge of a stock's potential is its earnings growth.

• Sales, Profit Margins, Return On Equity

  These three fundamental factors are crucial in evaluating a stock. Learn what they mean.

• Sponsorship: Catching The Stocks The Pros Are Buying

  When mutual funds and other professional investors buy certain stocks, the sheer magnitude of their buying power propels stock prices higher.

• The Strongest Industries Often Produce The Best Stocks

  Up to half of a stock's price movement is influenced by the industry it belongs to.

• Leading Stocks Are Leaders For A Reason

  How to identify the current stock market leaders. It is these stocks that provide the best opportunities for future gains.

• New Price Highs Mean New Opportunities

  When a stock reaches a new high, it doesn't mean its best days are over. On the contrary, it's actually a good time to consider buying it.

• New Products, Services Or Management

  Astounding stock gains don't just happen. Great new products, services or management teams are usually the driving force behind the greatest stocks.

• Your Stock Buying Checklist: Sorting Through The Process

  Successful investing requires checking all the vital elements of a stock. This checklist tells you what you can't afford to ignore.

• Chart Patterns Help You Spot The Right Time To Buy, Part I

  Charts help paint a picture of investor demand for a stock, revealing important clues about its prospects.

• Chart Patterns Help You Spot The Right Time To Buy, Part II

  Any stock worth buying has a recognizable price and volume pattern you can learn to identify.

• You've Bought A Stock—Now What?

  Buying a good stock is just part of the challenge. Learn how to protect your investment by knowing the best time to hold or sell your stock.