Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits and Other Writings (Wiley Investment Classics)

by Philip A. Fisher

Go to five companies in an industry, ask each of them intelligent questions about the points of strength and weakness of the other four, and nine times out of ten a surprisingly detailed and accurate picture of all five will emerge.

from both vendors and customers about the real nature of the people with whom they deal.

Research scientists in universities, in government, and in competitive companies are another fertile source of worthwhile data. So are executives of trade associations.

The inquiring investor must be able to make clear beyond any doubt that his source of information will never be revealed.

former employees.

POINT 1. Does the company have products or services with sufficient market potential to make possible a sizable increase in sales for at least several years?

Therefore growth should not be judged on an annual basis but, say, by taking units of several years each.

“fortunate and able” and the other group those that are “fortunate because they are able.”