Some investment sites go beyond the shotgun approach, however, and present data and analysis in a way that brings new opportunities to light while allowing you to keep tabs on securities you already hold. We evaluated dozens of sites that offer financial research at no cost to the user, including online brokerage offerings for their customers. We looked for in-depth research, lots of proprietary information, and an inviting overall layout. Better yet, it's now all free. In addition to typical online research such as analyst upgrades and downgrades, Zack's Analyst Recommendations, and Hoover's Company Profiles, the site includes Investment Finder, a terrific screening section that lets you sort through some 17,000 stocks and funds for those that fit your investment style.
Seasoned investors can construct customized searches with their own criteria.
The Finder also includes an intriguing search engine called Investment Matcher. Enter the symbol for a stock or fund that you like, and you'll get back the names of other securities that may also be to your liking. That way, you can find out whether WIND really is the most attractive stock of its type. Microsoft Investor's in-house advisors provide tutorials on how to use the site's tools, along with recommendations of stocks to watch. Several columnists offer sample portfolios and track themselves over time, detailing their own hits and misses.