If you can find at least three of the following characteristics in a stock, the chances are you will pick a winner: • Rising price trend as more and more investors jump aboard. • Rising volume as investors become more aggressive in their purchases. • Strong, but not excessive, price momentum. Anything higher indicates that supply and demand are out of synch. • Strong sector. If the sector is doing well, there is likely to be enough business for all stocks in it. • Strong market. A rising tide raises most boats. • Supportive environment. Low input prices, high output prices, low cost of doing business, and favorable supply and demand in the industry. These are the basic criteria. ...