Comparing SSGs is an unconventional workshop.  It will take place twice a week for two weeks with each session comparing a different SSG from the Better Investing Online Stock Study series.  The schedule is: Monday, May 5, Staples (SPLS); Wednesday, May 7, Proctor & Gamble (PG); Monday, May 12, Colgate-Palmolive (PG); and Wednesday, May 14, CVC Caremark (CVS).

Each session will compare the BI Online Stock Study consensus SSG with two of mine (one with S&P data and the other with Hemscott data, but with the same judgments) and with Take Stock.  I am primarily interested in discussing SSG judgments and methods.

The most innovative feature of BI Online Stock Studies is the live discussion that is captured in an audio-visual presentation which you can download and/or play if you are a BI member with a media player.  Another innovation is that SSG judgments were made as a consensus decision by the online participants.

As to why I choose to do a comparative workshop, I’m always comparing my projected EPS to analyst estimates, my Forecast High Price to VL’s, and my SSG to other SSGs.  Comparisons are how I determine if my judgments are reasoned, if they are in the ball park, and if they are reasonable. 

In short, comparisons are a good way to make decisions and to evaluate judgments.

Questions are welcome at any time.

And, please keep the following two issues in mind as you read the different workshop sessions:

(1) Do you agree or disagree (for the most part) with the specific methods used by these Stock Studies to make SSG judgments?  Are there any methods that you routinely use which were not discussed?

(2) Do you agree or disagree (for the most part) with the specific judgments made by these Stock Studies?  Is consensus decision-making a useful technique?

Each session wil take place in this "Workshop" forum.  After the workshop is over, I'l ask that they be moved to their respective ticker forums.

Armin Fields