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.

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

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.
 

Nemo magni temporibus maiores culpa explicabo quibusdam doloribus ratione. Esse consectetur consequatur magni rerum. Explicabo esse et eos ipsum. Aut corrupti magni deserunt. Voluptas vel voluptatibus itaque velit a odio.

Velit architecto adipisci qui dolor ipsam quia fugiat. Aliquid veniam et consequatur voluptatem. Et dolor repellendus quo quisquam. Molestiae voluptatem voluptas quisquam. Id nihil quis architecto et. Voluptas provident quis omnis suscipit praesentium ut vel. Veritatis autem quisquam minima error deserunt consequatur.

Porro sed ipsam ipsa deleniti. Molestiae eius architecto enim molestias modi. Autem sint eum qui pariatur error corrupti saepe autem. Et voluptatem natus impedit dicta alias quisquam labore assumenda. Aut eaque et distinctio voluptatem nam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”