Frequently Asked Questions

How often does InvesTech publish?
The InvesTech Market Analyst and Portfolio Strategy newsletters are published every four weeks (13 issues per year). The InvesTech Online Interim Bulletin (available on our website) is also released every four weeks (13 issues per year), between regular issues of the newsletters. Click here to view our current publication schedule.

Is InvesTech oriented more toward long-term investors or short-term traders?
Although InvesTech’s arsenal of technical tools includes short-term indicators, our “safety-first” strategy primarily addresses the objectives of long-term investors striving for capital gains. This strategy involves selecting established, high-potential stocks and mutual funds and allocating our portfolios based on risk as assessed by our key proprietary indicators. It's not unusual for InvesTech to recommend a 70% or higher cash position when key indicators confirm that the market has entered a vulnerable stage.

What indicators does InvesTech use in analyzing the market?
Of the 100+ technical and fundamental indicators (monetary, economic, leadership, breadth, momentum and sentiment) utilized by InvesTech, approximately one-third are proprietary indicators developed through years of research. While the details of our proprietary indicators are confidential, we openly present their background and always use their graphics in support of our forecasts… often comparing current readings with the past historical performance of these indicators.

How does InvesTech select stocks and mutual funds to recommend?
Recommended stocks must first pass an established set of criteria encompassing long-term and short-term growth rates (of revenues and earnings), return on equity, debt ratios, valuation (matched to market vulnerability) and projected growth rate. Potential buys should also appear technically favorable – from a high relative strength stock group with strong support levels.

The first criterion for mutual funds is a performance record which ranks among the top funds in its category. In addition, the fund should be no-load or low-load and easily switchable on the Internet or by telephone, either directly through a fund family or through a brokerage service such as Charles Schwab or Fidelity. We also look at the fund’s size, annual portfolio turnover, and expense ratio, among other attributes.

Do you provide money management for individual accounts?
Stack Financial Management was incorporated in 1994 in response to demand from InvesTech subscribers for personal portfolio management. SFM is separate and independent of InvesTech Research, yet employs the same safety-first philosophy and technical indicators developed by InvesTech over three decades ago.

Professional money management services are available for individual clients, corporations, trusts and retirement accounts. Clients may choose between the Capital Appreciation and Value & Dividend portfolios designed to meet the client’s specific objectives. The minimum balance required to open an account is $400,000 in cash or securities. Click here for more information or contact SFM directly at:
Stack Financial Management, Inc.
2472 Birch Glen, Suite A
Whitefish, MT 59937
800-790-5001
E-mail SFM