Hi, I am new to this site. My search for knowledge in investment matters brought me here. I am looking for the best sources of information concerning shares. The internet provides much that is helpful but confusion arises with certain matters my questions are as follows:

1. historic and forecast figures. If we take a yield that is published are we looking at last years dividends or what we might expect were we to buy today? The same goes for P/E ratios and figures for debt and profit. Where are the most reliable up to date sources for this?

2. Access to analyst reports. I have a subscription to the investors chronicle and this is a good source for tips, information and forecasts. Brokers views in summary seem quite readily available but Does anyone know of a way to get hold of the actual in depth reports? I understand that this is something that might have to be paid for but I have heard that opening an account with certain stockbrokers will give you access as a perk. Any info?

3. Stock screening. I look for growth and income shares, the best free screener I have found for my purposes has been the telegraph website but none have really given me what I need. I would like to screen for yield, dividend growth, peg, debt, to discount sectors, dividend cover, interest cover, pe. And ideally have sector peer comparison tools.

4. Info about management, annual reports are useful but they often seem like advertising for the company. It would be nice to access more objective profiles, at present I do hit and miss internet searches. Any good sources out there?

All of the above might be a package worth paying for, but I am only small fry and I don't want to pay for services if they can be got for free. Thanks for reading my post and your help would be greatly appreciated.

C

I occasionally go and have a look to see what Charting Charlie has come up with his screener:

http://www.chartingcharlie.zccz.co.uk/