Getting Started in Fundamental Analysis

by Michael C. Thomsett

Overview

If you've picked up this book, you probably recognize the value of fundamental analysis, but aren't sure you can master it. With Getting Started in Fundamental Analysis as your guide, you'll quickly become familiar with the key concepts and learn how to put them into action in the real world.

You'll gain important insights that can help you manage risk and make more informed investment decisions and learn from relevant illustrations, examples, and definitions. Written in a non-technical format that's easy to follow, Getting Started in Fundamental Analysis provides valuable coverage of:

• the audited statement.
• finding financial information online.
• the process of confirmation.
• balance sheet and income statement ratios.
• the P/E ratio and how to use it.
• how the combination of fundamental analysis with technical methods creates a powerful strategy.

More than an introduction to fundamental analysis, this book will help you use analytical tools in identifying risk levels, making valid and reliable comparisons, and picking stocks for your portfolio so you develop a successful and profitable investment program.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471754466
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	04/21/2006
Series:	Getting Started In...
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.08(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Michael C. Thomsett is a financial writer who has written more than sixty books on investing, real estate, business, and management topics. He is the author of several Wiley books, including Getting Started in Rental Income, J.K. Lasser's Real Estate Investing, and six editions of the bestselling Getting Started in Options. Prior to his writing career, Thomsett was a professional accountant and systems consultant.

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Table of Contents

Introduction: How Fundamental Are the Fundamentals? 1

Chapter 1 Financial Statements and What They Reveal 5

Chapter 2 Basic Stock Market Theories 33

Chapter 3 The Audited Statement—Flawed but Useful 57

Chapter 4 Finding Financial Information Online: Step-by-Step Explanations 77

Chapter 5 How Accurate Are the Numbers? 95

Chapter 6 Confirmation: The Trend of the Trends 121

Chapter 7 Balance Sheet Ratios: Making the Analysis 137

Chapter 8 Income Statement Ratios: Tracking the Profits 155

Chapter 9 The Popular P/E Ratio and How to Use It 173

Chapter 10 Using Fundamental—and Technical—Analysis Together 187

Chapter 11 Indicators That Go beyond the Statements 201

Glossary 215

Notes 227

Index 229