The stock-buying checklist gives you the most important traits to look for in a stock. These guidelines are backed by half a century of research into the characteristics of the best stocks before they made their major price moves.

You may be tempted to buy a stock that has some of the traits. But if you really want to find the absolute best stocks, there are no shortcuts. You must find stocks that exhibit most or all the criteria in the Checklist. Being aware of the characteristics of winning stocks arms you with the best research conclusions.

Related Resources:

Click here to get the 7 Steps For Selecting Winning Stocks, according to the CAN SLIMTM Investment Research Tool.

Go to the Investor's Corner Archives to read IBD's "editor picks" of classic Investor's Corner columns.

Search our archive of Ask Bill O'Neil Q & A's organized by topic.