Analyst's Diary: An investing checklist

Investing in stocks can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Philip Fisher, a pioneer of growth investing, offers us a timeless guide on how to evaluate a company before making any investment. His 15 points, outlined in 'Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits,' give a clear, thorough approach to what makes a company worth investing in. Here's a simplified checklist that will help you determine whether a company is truly an investment opportunity, alongside key pointers on when to buy and sell your stocks. What to buy Market potential Does the company have products or services with the potential for significant growth in sales over several years? Long-term success often comes from companies that can maintain and grow their market presence. Innovation continuity Is management committed to developing new products or processes as current growth opportunities are exhausted? Look for companies with a forward-thinking approach to R&D and product development. R&D effectiveness How effective is the company's research and development? Hi