APRIL 2005

Using OPS Data with Stock Analysis Software

NAIC offers a low cost service that provides, through the Internet, all the financial data needed to complete an SSG.  The service is called Online Premium Services (OPS). You can try it free for 30 days, or subscribe for only $25 per year.  To order contact NAIC at 1-877-275-6242 or visit the website at www.better-investing.org.

To access the OPS company data you will use the same email address and password that you use to login to the NAIC web site.  If you haven't previously done so, click on the link at the top of the NAIC web page labeled "Create Account" to set up your account. 

With Internet access, OPS data, and one of the SSG software programs, an SSG is can be completed in seconds.  Here's how to get started:

NAIC Classic Plus:

1. In the program click Options > Preferences...
2. In the NAIC OPS Login section, enter your OPS username (email address) and password.
3. Click OK. (note: you only need to set up your login the first time)
4. Return to the main page and change the check mark under "Where's the data for my company?" from "In my database" to "Download from NAIC Online (OPS) Datafiles". 
5. Click Start.
6. The first time you use OPS click on the Get Current Index button to populate the list of available companies.
7. Enter the ticker or company name.
8. Click OK.

For complete instructions please see www.better-investing.org/articles/web/4772.

Investor's Toolkit 5

1. Click on the Preferences button on the home page.
2. Select the File Locations tab (note the tabs on the left that direct you to the various Preference categories), and then click on the "Select Data Subscription" button.
3. Select NAIC Online Premium Services from the drop down list.
4. Enter your NAIC OPS email address and password in the spaces provided.
5. Click OK. (note: you only need to set up your login the first time)
6. In the Main Toolbar (near the top of the screen) type in a ticker symbol or the name of the company.
7. Click Retrieve.

If you use Investor's Toolkit 4, see www.better-investing.org/articles/web/4249. 

NAIC Stock Analyst

1. In the software, go to Options > Preferences.
2. In the NAIC OPS Login section, enter your OPS username (email address) and password.
3. Click OK. (note: you only need to set up your login the first time)
4. Return to the main page and enter the ticker of the company into the Symbol box.
5. Click Go.

At this point, any of the three programs will have opened up your (data only) SSG, and your time is freed up to work on the all-important judgment decisions.  So if you don't have OPS working for you in your SSG software, give it a try.  You'll wonder how you got along without it!