The tool is called Google Alerts.
In this article I will show you how to,
step by step, set up and get started with Google Alerts.
Before you can use Google Alerts you
have to open a Google account.
If you have a Gmail email account you
already have a Google account and can go to Step Two.
Opening a Google Account is very easy
and can be done quickly by clicking
here and filling the five fields.
If you do not want Google to record
your internet activities be sure to un-check “Enable Web History”.
To see how click here
Be sure to make a note of the email
address and password you selected as you will need it to log into
Google Alerts in future.
Once you have opened your Google
Account you have to go to Google Alerts by clicking
here.
First log into your Google Account by
entering the email and password you chose in step one.
Once you have logged in you can create
your first alert by clicking on “creating one” in the middle of
the page. To see where click
here
The
best way to create an alert is to first create a search in Google
and, after you are happy with the result, cut and paste the search
text into Google Alerts.
Open
up a second internet browser window and go to the Google search page
by clicking
here
Type
the search criteria in the Google search box, for example “Hornby
plc” including the brackets. I used the brackets because I want to
search for exactly that search term.
For
more information on how to get the most out of searching the internet
with Google take a look at the following two articles:
Once
you are happy with the Google search result mark the text in the
search box and press the right mouse button while holding the mouse
pointer over the marked text.
Select
copy from the menu and click on the internet browser page that is
open at Google Alerts.
Press
the right mouse button while holding the mouse pointer in the box
below “Search terms” and select paste from the menu. It should
then look like this.
I
usually leave the other menu options unchanged.
Click
on “Create Alert” on the right hand side to finish the process, over here.
Congratulations
you have created your first alert!
You
can use Google Alerts to automate a search for anything you can think
of. Your name in quotes may for example be a good idea so that you
can see where in the internet your name appears.
I
have found that Google Alerts work best for information on small and
mid sized companies.
Large companies generate too much information
and the results are overwhelming and not very useful.
Do
not be concerned that your search may not be perfect first time. The
Alert email you receive has a link to let you easily change the
search text so that the information you receive becomes more and more
relevant as you refine the search.
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PS.
I have started a blog or web diary where I write about reports or
articles I have found of value. I write something about three times a week and
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P.S. A media company in the wrong country at the wrong time...

This month the company I found for subscribers is located in France.
In terms of the size of companies I look at its quite large with a market value of €1,72 billion.
The company owns the most popular television channel in one of the largest European countries but is also very active in new media channels including the internet, tablets and smart phones.
In spite of this, the market views it as an old media company that is soon going the way of the dinosaurs. However, when you look at its financial statements you will see what a great business it is.
Its balance sheet is solid with no debt, and it generates a high amount of free cash flow and profits. This enables it to pay a dividend of just under 7% that can easily be maintained and has room to increase.
When I recommended the company it was trading at 7 times free cash flow, 7,7 times 2010 earnings and 5,6 times EBIT to enterprise value.
I am sure you will agree this is undervalued.
To immediately get your hands on this value investment idea (for as little as €39) click here.