One Up On Wall Street: How To Use What You Already Know To Make Money In

by Peter Lynch

TURNAROUNDS • Most important, can the company survive a raid by its creditors? How much cash does the company have? How much debt? (Apple Computer had $200 million in cash and no debt at the time of its crisis, so once again you knew it wasn’t going out of business.) What is the debt structure, and how long can it operate in the red while working out its problems without going bankrupt? (International Harvester—now Navistar—was a potential turnaround that has disappointed investors, because the company printed and sold millions of new shares to raise capital. This dilution resulted in the company’s having turned around, but not the stock.) • If it’s bankrupt already, then what’s left for the shareholders? • How is the company supposed to be turning around? Has it rid itself of unprofitable divisions? This can make a big difference in earnings.