Subject: Information Sources - Investment Associations

Last-Revised: 10 Oct 1997
Contributed-By: Rajeev Arora, D. Laird, Art Kamlet (artkamlet at aol.com), Jay Hartley (jay at concannon.llnl.gov), Doug Gerlach (gerlach at investorama.com)

This article introduces several investment associations.

• AAII:
  American Association of Individual Investors
  625 North Michigan Avenue
  Chicago, IL 60611-3110
  +1 312-280-0170
  Email: members@aaii.com
  Web: http://www.aaii.org/

  A summary from their brochure: AAII believes that individuals would do better if they invest in "shadow" stocks which are not followed by institutional investor and avoid affects of program trading. They admit that most of their members are experienced investors with substantial amounts to invest, but they do have programs for newer investors also. Basically, they don't manage the member's money,

  they just provide information.

  Membership costs $49 per year for an individual; with Computerized Investing newsletter, $79. A lifetime membership (including Computerized Investing) costs $490.

  They offer the AAII Journal 10 times a year, Individual Investor's guide to No-Load Mutual Funds annually, local chapter membership (about 50 chapters), a year-end tax strategy guide, investment seminars and study programs at extra cost (reduced for members), and a computer user' newsletter for an extra $30. They also operate a free BBS.

• NAIC:
  National Association of Investors Corp.
  P. O. Box 220
  Royal Oak, MI 48068
  Tel +1 810 583-NAIC, Fax +1 810 583-4880
  Email: service@better-investing.org
  Web: http://www.better-investing.org

  The NAIC is a nonprofit organization operated by and for the benefit of member clubs. The Association has been in existence since the 1950's and states that it has over 633,000 members.

  Membership costs $39 per year for an individual, or $35 for a club and $14 per each club member. The membership provides the member with a monthly magazine, details of your membership and information on how to start a investment club, how to analyze stocks, and how to keep records.

  NAIC also offers software for fundamental analysis, discounts on investing books, research information on member companies, and other educational manuals and videotapes. A network of over 75 Regional Councils across the US provide local assistance.

  In addition to the information provided, NAIC operates "Low-Cost Investment Plan", which allows members to invest in participating companies such as AT&T, Kellogg, Wendy's, Mobil and Quaker Oats. Most don't incur a commission although some have a nominal fee ($3-$5).

  Of the 500 clubs surveyed in 1989, the average club had a compound annual growth rate of 10.8% compared with 10.6% for the S&P 500 stock index. Its average portfolio was worth $66,755.

• Investors Alliance:
  The Investors Alliance, Inc.
  219 Commerical Blvd.
  Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308-4440
  Tel 888-683-1181
  Email: paul.perkins@invest.com
  Web: http://PowerInvestor.com

  Investors Alliance was formed to enhance the investing skills of independent investors through research, education, and training. They claim membership of over 65,000 investors in 22 countries.

  Basic Membership is offered at $49 per year and includes twelve monthly issues of the Investors Alliance Investor Journal, an educational newsletter packed with valuable insights to maximize your investment success. Computer Membership is offered at $89 per year and includes a copy of Power Investor for Windows on CD-ROM and free daily modem updates of the entire 16,000 security database. New members at either level receive a free voucher for two zero-commission stock trades from a leading discount broker.

  The Investment FAQ is an associate of Investors Alliance. If you use the link shown below to enroll in this club, a small referral fee is paid to The Investment FAQ.
  http://PowerInvestor.com/referral.asp?id=lott@invest-faq.com