Briefly Noted

Stocks
The Proxy Edge: Exercising Your Shareholder Rights
Many investors receive the annual proxy statement and simply throw it in the trash. But that is throwing away a vote, and the right to keep management's interest in line with your own. How to get the most out of a proxy statement.

Stocks
Taking the Spin Out of Earnings Announcements
Public companies always want to put the best face on their quarterly financial results. But investors should not be distracted by excessive 'spin.' Tips to keep in mind when reviewing earnings announcements.

Mutual Funds
The Top Funds Over Five Years: What Made Them Different?
Mutual Funds: The last five years have provided a rigorous test track for mutual funds. A look at who made it to the top—and how they got there.

Tax Strategies
The Alternative Minimum Tax: Coming to a Tax Return Near You
Tax Strategies: More and more individuals are getting hit with an unpleasant surprise at tax time—the alternative minimum tax. Will it affect you? Planning tips to help you to reduce your possible exposure to the AMT.

Financial Analyst
Taking the Spin Out of Earnings Announcements
The Financial Analyst: Public companies always want to put the best face on their quarterly financial results. But investors should not be distracted by excessive 'spin.' Tips to keep in mind when reviewing earnings announcements.

Stock Strategies
The Proxy Edge: Exercising Your Shareholder Rights
Stock Strategies: Many investors receive the annual proxy statement and simply throw it in the trash. But that is throwing away a vote, and the right to keep management's interest in line with your own. How to get the most out of a proxy statement.

Matter of Opinion
Model Shadow Stock Portfolio: A Step Ahead of the Market
Feature: A performance update for the Shadow Stock Portfolio shows that the portfolio is still one step ahead of the market.

Stock Screens
The Peter Lynch Approach: Investing in "Understandable" Stocks
AAII Stock Screens: Searching for attractively valued growth stocks that haven't yet captured the attention of Wall Street? The Lynch approach emphasizes a thorough understanding of the company and whether the stock can be purchased at a reasonable price.

Departments
Briefly Noted
Current news items of interest to individual investors.

Departments
Letters to the Editor
Member questions and comments on recent AAII Journal articles.