Which Edition of "Security Analysis" Should I Get?

Hi,

I'm a stock picking noob, and I've heard that "Security Analysis" by Benjamin Graham is a good book to start with, but what edition should I get? There seem to be 3-4 out there each with subtle differences, so which one would WSO recommend?

Secondly, is there a good book for learning how to read balance sheets, income statements, and cash flows from an investment standpoint? I know generally what various things on the BS, IS, SCFs mean, but I have no clue how to predict future earnings, or determine if a company has a "clean balance sheet", so is there a good book that helps illustrate these things?

8 Comments
 

Sounds good, I'll pick that one up.

Any tips for books on reading financials from an investment standpoint? I was hoping I'd learn that from intermediate accounting, but so far its just accounting from an accountant's standpoint and not much more than that.

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Fair enough, but isn't knowing one's way around a balance sheet a good skill to have regardless? That's why I was hoping there is a good book for investors that aids in that department.

Pretty women make us BUY beer. Ugly women make us DRINK beer.
 

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