The Most Intriguing Gurus?

Which stock market experts intrigue investors and traders the most? For insight, we examine CXOadvisory.com log files for visits derived from web search engines based on search phrases associated with specific experts. We consider the top 50 search phrases for each of the last three years and consolidate similar searches (e.g., “jim jubak” and “jubak” or “ken fisher” and “fisher investments”). We also normalize results for each year by expressing relative interest in experts by dividing the number of searches for each by the total number of searches for all experts. Using the top 50 search phases arriving at CXOadvisory.com for each of 2007, 2008 and 2009 (to date), we find that:

The following chart summarizes the relative interest in experts reviewed in some fashion at CXOadvisory.com for each of 2007, 2008 and 2009, in descending order of 2009 search share. Changes from year to year may reflect shifting levels of interest in the commentaries by individual experts, expansion of coverage of experts on the web site, changing coverage by competing sources or factors related to search engines (search results ranking).

Bob Brinker consistently captures the greatest search share. The low level of user-initiated interest in Jim Cramer is notable; searches naming him do not make the top 50 for 2009. (In contrast, external links to “Jim Cramer Deconstructed” have consistently put it into the top 25 most accessed directories on the site each month for many, many months.)

The next chart summarizes the relative importance of different search engines in generating the above searches for each of 2007, 2008 and 2009. Google shows no sign of losing its dominance in search.

In summary, investors may want to investigate the commentaries of unfamiliar experts who accrue significant user-initiated interest as evidenced by search frequency.

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