Ive been doing deep research into large companies lately. This is for a client I have. (I would not need to have any customers at all, if the credit crunch hadnt happened. I was dong nicely for an income from share successes. That little nest egg has cracked at the moment, though not for long, Im sure).

Any road up, the easiest way to research a company is to go onto its own website. If you look at each company on Sharecrazy.com youll find the website of the company you want near the start of the company details. A tiny click and youre on the site.

Now the first thing that struck me, reading bright and breezy company websites, is how marvellously each outfit is doing. If you investigate the companys history pages, you will see page after page of innovation and success.

Then take a look at the firms policy. Youll probably find loads of stuff about how hard the company is trying to be green. There are often plenty of new projects listed to give you this impression.

Then look at something usually called investor information, or some such title. This usually contains the latest annual or half yearly report. They often begin with the highlights. These are actually the best bits. The worst parts may not feature till much lower down.

Any controversy surrounding the firm is not included. Any financial worries, expressed by brokers, say, or other city experts are not featured much either.
In short, gang, have a look at the official website of any firm you are interested in. But dont only rely on what you see there. Google (NASDAQ: GOOG - news) the firm as well, perhaps putting the word controversy or troubles into your search and see what comes up.

I know you cant rely on the accuracy of what you read on the internet. But at least you will read something that not quite as tinted by rose coloured spectacles as most company websites seem to be.

They will be tempted to put down only the enticing facts. The snags are possibly either not there or underplayed. Well, isnt that how youd play it, if you had a company to promote. God bless.