Steve's Story

I used some basic free stock screens, RNS feeds, along with reading various financial sources such as magazines and Robbie Burns' email newsletters.

My approach to investing has evolved and adapted over time. I find that Stockopedia provides me with great tools for research such as StockReports, StockRanks, screening tools, a 10-year history of charts, as well as the Small Cap Value Reports and the discussion forums. I also like your detailed research studies, such as the book on profit warnings. All these tools have helped as my approach has evolved away from a high yield towards quality and momentum investing.

My investment approach had already begun changing maybe a year before actively using Stockopedia, and has led to a gradual improvement in results. My results are reassuring, not spectacular. I do however find that the StockReports provide a quick and helpful snapshot of key information on a company for my research, which is a massive help in determining if to research further or move onto something else.

Don't put all your eggs in too few baskets. Look for long-term quality characteristics in the companies you want to buy rather than chasing a fad. Look for companies with a proven profit record, rather than promises of jam tomorrow/turnarounds which have yet to deliver. If you have researched a stock well and believe it to be a good company, keep holding it through difficult markets and don't be shaken out - it is these companies which can become your ten baggers. If you have enough eggs in enough baskets you will have enough room in your portfolio to hold onto these long-term winners through the short-term volatility that can be thrown at you.