What are their secrets? How do they find winning stocks? What little tidbits of knowledge do they possess that the rest of us lack? Truthfully, there is no magic formula. It just takes research. You can't just thumb through the financial pages, check out the daily market reports and expect to succeed. You need to plan ahead and study a stock for a period of time before making a purchase. Knowing what to look for is half the battle.

There are many different ways to gauge a good stock. Evaluating a company's profits is one effective method, as profitable companies tend to produce profitable stocks. Checking through newswires to learn about new or upcoming products is another. A company that is about to make a big splash among consumers will undoubtedly see a spike in its stock value. Seeking professional advice from time to time is also advisable, though it will require an additional investment.

One of the more underrated indicators of a stock's performance, however, is the stock market archive. A stock market archive is just what it sounds like -- a short or long term record of the closing costs of a company's stock during select days. Usually once per month, often near the end of said month, the company or a third-party firm will note the value of the stock. This practice is repeated over multiple months and years.

How does this help a potential investor? Simple. A stock market archive shows the quality of a stock by measuring its performance over a long period of time. Thus, it can illustrate trends in that company's stock, giving the would-be trader a good idea of how it will perform over time. Is the consistently stock on the rise? Clearly, then, it has staying power. Has it been falling over the past several months? Perhaps there is a reason, meaning further research is required. Does it go through a pattern of fluctuations? Then make a commitment to buy when it’s low and sell at its projected highest point.

Clearly, a stock market archive report can tell a lot about a company's performance, and when combined with profit reports and other vital data, it can be quite valuable. It isn't perfect, because a stock can suddenly change at any time for any reason. However, knowing the history of a stock's value can make or break an investor -- especially a novice one.