Book excerpt: Australia's best-selling sharemarket book in a commemorative 20th edition '. . . one of the best sources of information for sharemarket investors. Professional investors and occasional dabblers alike will find this volume extremely useful.' Derek Parker, The Australian 'Martin Roth's guide has built a reputation as the essential independent reference for Australian sharebuyers.' Wealth Creator Top Stocks has become a must-read annual for Australian investors with over 130000 copies sold since the first edition was published in 1995. For two decades renowned financial journalist Martin Roth has provided readers with his tried-and-tested analysis of the best public companies in Australia, featuring clear, objective information on company performance and overall outlook. Praised by readers for its trademark easy-to-read format and ability to cut through the hype, Top Stocks commemorates its 20th edition in 2014 with bonus material and a review of the Australian sharemarket over the past 19 editions. Inside, you'll find: individual, unbiased analysis of the latest results from 98 of Australia's leading companies using Martin's proven criteria, with a focus on profitability, dividends and debt levels comparative sales and profits data, as well as in-depth ratio analysis comprehensive research on each company's overall outlook and tables ranking all companies according to financial data a showcase of the previous 19 editions of Top Stocks including company listings, a spotlight on key events over the past two decades and reflections from investors. Celebrate trustworthy advice and successful investing with this annual bestseller, now in its 20th edition.