AAII Guides and Investor Surveys

AAII Guides

The AAII Investor Guides that are available at AAII.com bring together information on a variety of investment-related topics in one area in an easy-to-access format. These guides cover such diverse topics as finding a discount broker, the top investment Web sites, and buying a computer.

To access the AAII Investor Guides area, click on the AAII Guides link under Tools on the left-hand navigation bar at the AAII.com home page.

Computerized Investing-Related Guides

For subscribers of Computerized Investing, there are two Investor Guides devoted exclusively to you.

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The Computerized Investing Guidebook

The Computerized Investing Guidebook organizes recent product comparisons into a central reference source. Instead of combing the Web site for comparison articles of investment-related Web sites and software packages, visitors will find these articles grouped together in one location. Areas covered include: portfolio management, fundamental stock analysis, technical analysis and charting, mutual fund screening and analysis, and comprehensive investment-related Web sites.

In addition, the most recent on-line discount brokers list and guide to the top Web sites are found here. The Computerized Investing Guidebook also has a section on setting up an investment plan and making investment decisions.

The sections devoted to Web sites and software include a detailed discussion of the issues confronting those who are looking to use or purchase various types of investment-related programs and on-line services as well as the types of features each service generally offers. Following this is a description of the top offerings in each category along with a table that allows readers to see a side-by-side comparison of the main features offered by each service. Lastly, the editors of Computerized Investing rate each of the services on a variety of content and usability criteria.

The Computer Hardware Guide

With new technologies constantly coming on the market, it can be confusing to decide which kind of computer system is best suited for your individual computing needs. The Computer Hardware Guide is updated on an annual basis. It helps you define your computing needs and then walks you through the various topics that need to be addressed when shopping for a new or replacement computer—the latest in processors, data storage devices, monitors, printers, and security issues. The guide then brings it all together and the editors of Computerized Investing make their recommendations on computer configurations suited to the typical individual investor.

Other AAII Guides

The rest of the AAII Investor Guides are accessible to all AAII members and cover topics that impact most individual investors:

• Discount Broker Guide
• Guide to ETFs (exchange-traded funds)
• Top Mutual Funds Guide
• Top Web Sites Guide
• AAII Tax Guide
• Investment Information Guide
• Guide to Direct Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plans
• Lifetime Investment Strategy

These guides are updated every year and provide our members with the timeliest information available. AAII’s Tax Guide discusses the recent major changes in tax laws for 2009. It also discusses investment strategies that take the tax changes into account.

AAII’s Investor Surveys

The Investor Surveys area of AAII.com offers members the opportunity to voice their opinions on a variety of topics.

Sentiment Survey

AAII’s Sentiment Survey measures the percentage of individual investors who are bullish, bearish, and neutral on the stock market short term; individuals are polled from the AAII Web site on a weekly basis. Results are also presented in AAII’s twice-monthly CI E-newsletter. You can also download historical data going back to 1987.

Asset Allocation Survey

The Asset Allocation Survey polls members on their current holdings among the five asset categories: stock mutual funds, stocks, bond mutual funds, bonds and cash (CDs, savings accounts, money market funds, etc.). Results are updated monthly showing the current month’s allocations, the change from the previous month and a graphical representation of the data. You can download an Excel spreadsheet with historical data going back to 1987.

On-Line Discount Broker Survey

AAII’s On-Line Discount Broker Survey polls members on their experiences with discount brokers and what they feel is important when selecting a broker. Results are tabulated and presented weekly. Year-end data is also presented. The 2009 results will be discussed in the Second Quarter issue of Computerized Investing as well as in the AAII Journal.

To take part in AAII’s member surveys or to see the results, go to www.aaii.com/membersurveys.