This service is a gateway to over seventy different research providers. Research reports come in all shapes and sizes, so which is the best fit for you? To navigate to the best source for your needs, consider the following signposts.

Reuters Research

The Reuters Investment Profile covers 2,300 companies in the UK and over 25,000 companies globally, including over 11,020 in US, 7,100 companies in Europe and 7,700 across Asia. This report is essential reading for any serious investor in the UK providing comprehensive financial information on a company's performance, position and cash flows over the past 3 years, including half year results, key fundamental data, ratios, brokers consensus estimates and helpful explanations to help guide you in your investment decision. Essential reading whether you are considering a new investment or evaluating your existing portfolio. Click here to learn more about the Reuters Investment Profile.

If you are looking for detailed analyst estimates the Reuters Estimates company report provides a level of detail not widely available to private investors. Using this report you can see stock ratings/recommendations and estimates from each broker covering the stock.

Reuters Fundamentals and Reuters Estimates data provides the backbone of these reports. It is recognised as the premier source of highest quality financial information on companies worldwide.

Broker Reports - Opinions from professional investors

Broker research is written by equity analysts that have deep expertise in the sectors, or companies they follow. This expertise allows them to make well informed predictions as to how the company or sector will develop in the future. To read an article on analysing broker research, click here.

UK Brokers contributing to this service include Beeson Gregory, Brewin Dolphin Securities, Charles Stanley, Graham and Whiteside, Rowan Dartington, Teather & Greenwood, WH Ireland and Williams de Broe.

The service also includes contributions from global institutions including Brown Brothers Harriman, CIBC World Markets, Lehman Brothers, Piper Jaffray and Prudential.

Independent Research Providers

As the name suggests, independent research providers are not attached to particular deals or trading positions. They cover a large number of stocks and often pool together analysts' rating from many sources to get an overall industry picture.

Here you can access Independent providers: Standard and Poors, The Wall Street Transcript, Director's Deals and Hoover's.

This information is provided by Reuters