Every competent stock brokerage has a research department. Analysts on the research desk do fundamental analysis on the equities they cover. These are among the advantages of fundamental analysis, which are covered in depth in a company’s or stock’s fundamental report. These reports are typically 5-10 pages in length. They describe the company’s financial performance, as well as provide statistics on the company’s past profit and loss and balance sheet. There is also a value assessment supplied so that investors may understand how much they are paying for the stock based on its prospects. Each basic report also includes certain charts and illustrations.