ValuTool - Introductory Matters

Now that ValuTool has been downloaded, there are a couple of introductory setup matters that you should deal with before beginning to use it.

1. Make a Backup Copy
Most importantly, please make a backup of the program. A lot can happen to a program that is in use frequently, and in order for you to be able to get back to the original program, you should store a backup somewhere away from your hard drive. We further recommend that you make frequent backups of your portfolio in case something happens to either the software or your hard drive.

In order to back up ValuTool, go to the File >> Save As... and give it a unique name. You will now have multiple copies of ValuTool, useful in case one is damaged, or if you wish to follow multiple portfolios separately.

2. Storing, Retrieving & Printing
Once you've gone through all of the work of entering the information that ValuTool needs, you'll want to make sure that you Store it. Storing a Stock is different from the normal save you might be used to in running software. Storing a Stock stores all of the raw numbers, estimates and valuations so that you can Retrieve them at a later time. That way, once you've run the numbers for a stock, you will be able to quickly go back and find them again.

It is important to remember that Saving a File on the way out of ValuTool is not the same as Storing a Stock. If you neglect to Store your Stock, all of the information will be gone the next time you open your file.

You Store a Stock and Retrieve a Stock using the buttons at the bottom of the Company Information Page.

Any of the three pages (Company Information, Earnings or Valuations) can be printed by pushing the Print button. This will give you a single page snapshot of all of the information on that page.

3. Navigation
ValuTool is divided into three separate areas, called "Pages." The first page is the Company Information Page. It is here that you will enter all of the raw data about the company, the stock, the financial information, and all the rest of the relevant past data. It is recommended that you fill out this page as completely as possible before moving to the second and third, since much of the information found throughout the rest of the ValuTool depends on the information on the Company Information Page.

The second page is the Estimates Page. Here, ValuTool will present you with a number of historical growth rates, as well as with an indicator of past earnings numbers for your company. You will enter your earnings estimates here, which will be used in several of the valuations.

The final page is the Valuations Page. Full of Valuations, Ratios and Potential Price Targets. Use these as a helpful step in determining what you think the true value of your company should be.

To navigate among the pages, use the Page Tab Graphic at the top of each of the pages. The page you are on will be circled in red.

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