How to ask better stock research questions

Weak vs strong questions

• Weak: “Is $TICKER a buy?”
• Stronger: “What are the main quality strengths and risks for $TICKER over the last five years, using ROIC, margins, and FCF?”

Patterns that work

1. Name the metric — FCF, gross margin, ROIC, net debt
2. Name the window — eight quarters, five years
3. Ask for comparison — peers or history
4. Separate facts from interpretation — “what happened” then “what it might mean”
5. Add your constraint — long-term holder, income focus, concentration concern

Templates

• Quality: “Summarize profitability and capital returns for $TICKER.”
• Valuation: “How does FCF yield compare with the risk-free rate?”
• Risk: “What are the top three business risks visible in recent filings/news?”
• News: “What does this headline mean for margins?”

Browse the prompt library for copy-ready examples. Educational only.