Argus Research is a forward-thinking, long-standing independent investment research firm that offers forecasts and ratings on the U.S. economy, interest rates and hundreds of leading blue chip companies. We employ a rigorous six-point framework to analyze the companies in our Universe of Coverage, including meetings with their senior managers, and we provide continuous analysis via the Internet, our daily notes service, in-depth reports, and conference calls and consultations. Argus Research does not bring companies public, advise companies on mergers and acquisitions, broker trades, make markets in stocks or manage money. Our independence allows us to make critical judgments about companies that we might not be so free to make were we competing for a firm's underwriting business. Because we're not a broker/dealer, we don't have "inventory" of a stock that we have to move with a tainted recommendation. We have developed a six-point system for analyzing the stocks in our Universe of Coverage. We believe that this system, combined with our independence, gives us an edge as we develop our ideas, forecasts and ratings. 1. Industry Analysis 2. Growth Analysis 3. Financial Strength 4. Analysis Management Assessment 5. Risk Analysis 6. Valuation Analysis