Fundamental Analysis Articles

Investors need to know how to detect signs of looming bankruptcy. The Z-score can help.

Return on invested capital is a great way to measure the true value produced by a company. Learn to use the ROIC metric and increase your chances of finding successful investments.

Don't let this valuable piece of mail end up in your trash can. Here are five things you need to know.

Relationships between currencies and commodities exist throughout the financial markets. Find out how to trade these trends.

Everyone wants a great credit score, but few know exactly how to achieve perfection. Find out how your credit score is kept and what it takes to reach a perfect 850 rating.

Learn strategies for investing in this price-weighted index and how to interpret its movements.

Investors looking into this industry are faced with a confusing amount of information. We explain the important concepts and terms.

The P/E ratio is one of the most popular stock market ratios, but it has some serious flaws that investors should know about.

Investing has ways to successfully accommodate a variety of personalities. Learn how to align your trading with your traits.

This type of trader makes many trades per day to "scalp" a small profit from each trade. Find out how it works.

Some insider trading is actually legal - and can be extremely telling for investors.

You may be missing some key statistics when following charts in the market.

Clear and honest financial statements not only reflect value, they also help ensure it.

Companies can manipulate their numbers, so you need to learn how to determine the accuracy of EPS.

In investment, knowledge is power. Knowing these signs could alert you to potential problems on the horizon for your stocks.

Return on investment is a simple equation that can give you an edge when fine-tuning your portfolio - here's how to use it.

Observing a company's behavior can prove beneficial for the mindful investor. Know the signs before you make a reactionary move.

The important decision to exit a position must be based on more than emotion if you want to be a disciplined trader.

Find out what most investors are doing wrong, and how you can do it right.

This tweak on moving averages gives traders faster access to the information they need.

Differences between accrual accounting and cash flows show why net income is easier to manipulate.

When a company is headed for trouble, the warning signs are usually there. Learn how to spot disaster.

When scandal hits a company, there are few key factors that determine how hard the stock will be hit.

The DCF method can be difficult to apply to real-life valuations. Find out where it comes up short.

Every time an investor talks about getting in low or picking entry and exit points, they are paying homage to these men.

Find out what reports to watch in order to anticipate and react to market movements.

Certain investing myths just won't die. Find out how dated sayings could be costing you.

This can provide insight into how the market is likely to act based on your presence, orders and transactions.

This measure can help investors spot potential trouble in a bank's financials. Find out how.

These formulas can help you pick better stocks for your portfolio once you learn how to use them.

Cash is something companies love to have. But if they are not using it there could be problems.

Learn the important ratios and terms that you'll need to know to get involved in this trading sector.

We take a closer look at the linearly weighted moving average and the exponentially smoothed moving average.

Before entering this market, you should define what you need from your broker and from your strategy.

This oscillator has been used since the 1950s by traders and investors to anticipate areas where the market may change direction.

If you believe the market smiles on those who focus on value, growth or income, this vehicle may be for you.

While range bars are not a type of technical indicator, traders can employ this useful tool to identify trends and interpret volatility.

Do you rely too heavily on ROE? Consider using return on assets for a more complete picture.

By following some broad allocation guidelines, new investors can build the portfolio they want.

Learn how this simple calculation can help you determine a stock's earnings potential.

Find out how to create well-designed charts that will enhance your market analysis.

The broken window fallacy is an economic tale of caution about ignoring unintended consequences - something the BP disaster has no shortage of.

Intangible assets don't appear on balance sheets, but they're crucial to judging a company's value.

These key performance metrics will help you decide if your trading strategy is a winner.

Just because it doesn't get a lot of coverage, doesn't mean a company isn't a great find.

See the model in action with real data and evaluate whether its assumptions are valid.

Find out how stochastics are used to create buy and sell signals for traders.

Summer leisure activities may see a surge in revenue. Let the sun shine on your portfolio.

These tools will help you enter at high-probability points and ensure you trade within your set strategy.

Learn how the CFS relates to the balance sheet and income statement as a part of a company's financial reports.

The legal jargon of this document can be daunting. Find out how to get to the important stuff.

Find out how a simple calculation can help you uncover the most efficient companies.

You can learn a lot about any listed company through this system - if you know how to use it.

Buying at the right price determines profit, but selling at the right price locks it in.

This type of risk is often overlooked, but it can mean the downfall of a company - and its investors.

Find out why funds from operations is a superior measure of REIT performance.

Investors tend to buy either stocks or bonds, but rarely choose between the two. Find out when you'll benefit from one over the other.

Learn how the expected extra return on stocks is measured and why academic studies usually estimate a low premium.

If you have a promising business that needs a boost, you may be able to put your faith in these wealthy investors.

This measure has its benefits, but it can also present earnings through rose-colored glasses.

Stocks are soaring despite high unemployment, foreclosures and relatively low consumer spending. Can it last?

Both measure performance, but sometimes they tell a very different story. This is why they’re best used together.

From high-flying to fading fast, fads can mean big money for nimble investors.

Analyst reports can be an investor's best friend - but without knowing how to read them, you won't be able to fully utilize them.

Weighted average cost of capital may be hard to calculate, but it's a solid way to measure investment quality.

Determine how fund managers are doing by sizing them up against their peers.

How investment advisors use the wrong benchmarks to make poor performance look good.

It pays to invest in companies that generate profits more efficiently than their rivals. This is where ROE comes in.

Companies have ways of manipulating their balance sheets that investors should be aware of.

Find out how to determine whether a CEO is being overpaid.

What does the consolidation in the beer industry mean for investors and, more importantly, beer drinkers?

Find out how calculating a reproduction cost for a company can beat out the dividend discount model.

Buying back shares can be a sensible way for companies to use extra cash. But in many cases, it's just a ploy to boost earnings.

This maligned sector is in better shape than most investors believe.

Free cash flow is a great gauge of corporate health, but it's not immune to accounting trickery.

GDP growth is not necessarily a solid indicator of stock market returns in emerging markets. Find out what to watch instead.

Seven words that are music to investors' ears? "The dividend check is in the mail."

Accounting practices have matured, but there are still plenty of ways that companies can disguise their financial results.

The glitz and glam of Hollywood could help put some more glitz in your pocket.

Learn how to read between the lines and decipher the actual condition of a company.

Don't be fooled: Companies use all kinds of tactics to make bad earnings look good. Find out how to see through them.

Companies balance the interests of owners, customers and employees. Find out who comes out on top.

Internal return on investment helps determine a stock's ability to propel shareholder returns.

Consensus estimates can send stocks spiraling - but are they representing reality?

You can't predict exactly how stocks will behave, but knowing what affects prices will put you ahead of the pack.

We go over several telling factors that can help you answer this question and avoid losses.

Often, the simple solution is the best one. Find out how easy it can be to trade with the trend.

Looking for a formula to determine whether a company is creating wealth? Time to learn all about economic value added.

Though an older indicator, Kairi can still be a valuable tool for experienced investors.

Find out how to evaluate a firm's loan portfolio to determine its financial health.

A CEO shapes the direction a business will take. We provide four clues to help you determine which ones have the right stuff.

Company managers are often skilled at fooling investors. Be critical and don't believe the hype.

Momentum can be used with other tools to be an effective buy/sell indicator.

Learn how to analyze earnings sustainability - an important part of making sound investments.

Get a deeper understanding of ROE with these three-step and five-step calculations.

How a company accounts for its expenses affects how its net income and cash flow numbers are reported.

This measure has a bad rap, but it's still a valuable tool when used appropriately.