$ Investing Tools Discussed At January General Meeting

      The program for January 19th, 2006 illustrated two different software packages designed to help anyone wanting to invest in the stock market to evaluate a company for its potential to grow in price while reducing the risk of ownership.
      Troy Segler stated his belief that many financial planners do not properly evaluate the total need of an individual or couple when making suggestions for their retirement years.
This was supported by an article from the February 2006 issue of Consumer Reports.
Every individual should be cognizant of their own needs and involved in the planning.
      The first tool discussed is available from BetterInvesting. They offer three different software packages and the one reviewed was Stock Analyst v3.0. Using data available from ValueLine or S&P reports, you can input the necessary financial data to enable predicting the past and future growth of earnings and sales. Calculations performed via the software arrive at the risk you assume at the current price for the investment to grow by an expected 15% per year over the future 5 year period.
      The second tool was an Excel spread sheet formulated by “Tom Robbins” and can be downloaded on the Yahoo Finance value_oasis web site. Tom calls the spreadsheet a WIT (What If Tool) Prospector. Data can be gathered on most all companies traded in the United States markets by accessing a number of websites. This spreadsheet can be used to sort the data for evaluation. There is no charge for downloading this spreadsheet. Tom only asks that you learn to use it and carefully exploit its usefulness. A companion Excel add-in program can be obtained from John Price $75.00 by going to http://www.sherlockinvesting.com . There is an unconditional refund should you not find this add-in profitable for you. With it you select a stock from the Prospector and perform an evaluation that enables you to determine the recommended price for purchase of the stock in order to anticipate a particular percentage growth over whatever time frame you establish. You can also establish the growth you desire and it will tell you the necessary price for an expectation that you will realize that amount of growth.
      Tom Robbins only asks that you share your investing ideas with others on the website and not use the website (chat room) to criticize others. He is interested in learning and sharing, much as we are in the Computer Club.
      Plan to attend the general meeting in February. Doris Collins is planning some interesting and informative meetings for future months.

Troy Segler, President