Investment tools class handout

Investment tools/FAQs

Q: What is the best place to find stock information on a particular company?
A:The company's Web site. Many companies have well developed "Investor Relations" pages which include:

Tax information
Annual Reports & S.E.C. filings
Stock price histories

TIP: Investor relations pages are sometimes hard to find, especially on Web sites designed primarily for customer use. Check for links marked "About us," "Company info," or "Customer service." Example: Kraft Company's investor page.

Q: How can I get the latest news/price for a particular stock?
A: If it's not in the investor's section of the company Web site, try CBS MarketWatch: http://www.cbsmarketwatch.com. Prices are delayed the standard 15 minutes. Simply type in the ticker symbol and go! This site also offers up-to-date news, company profiles, financial snapshots, price charts, analyst recommendations, insider actions, and latest S.E.C. filings.
TIP: If you don't know the ticker symbol you can use the "Find symbol" feature on this site.

Q: Why can't I find the company's annual report in the S.E.C. database?
A: Annual reports to shareholders are not required to be filed with the S.E.C. If it is not uploaded by the company try the AnnualReportService: http://www.annualreportservice.com.
TIP: This site is excellent if you want to collect several annual reports generated by a particular industry.

Q. Are S.E.C. reports online?
A. Yes, generally from 1993-present. You can access them directly from the government: http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html.
TIP: 10k is the company's annual financial report. 8K denotes a "special situation." These are filed on as "as needed" basis.

Q. Can I find historic stock prices online?
A: Yes and no. If the company still exists (under the same name) you may be able to locate historic price data online. Notes here: http://www.gti.net/mocolib1/prices.html
TIP: If the company is out of business the best place to find old prices is Standard & Poor's Daily Stock Price Record (1960s-present) or old newspapers. Moody's Manuals provided annual high and low price.

Q. What is the quickest way to determine if an old stock certificate has value?
A: The two best tools for this research are the Directory of Obsolete Securities and CCH Capital Changes Reporter. Both books are available at the Morris County Libarry.
TIP: If you can't get to the library call (973) 285-6969 or e-mail mocolib1@gti.net.

Q. What are my savings bonds worth today?
A: Use the Savings Bond Calculator http://wwws.publicdebt.treas.gov/BC/SBCPrice, courtesy of the U.S. Dept. of Treasury.
TIP: Results report final maturity date, interest paid and interest rate.

Q. Where can I learn about investor fraud and investigate brokers/financial planners?
A: Several government agencies and private organizations make this information available: http://www.gti.net/mocolib1/caveat.html#securities.
TIP: People selling securities in NJ must be registered with the State. Licenses are not yet online. Call the New Jersey Investment Advisor Registration Depository: (973) 504-3656.

Lynne Olver
Reference Services

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