The Risk With Stocks Is Real...
... And why subscribing to my Red Flag Alerts will help you maneuver around it. And FAQs...
This is not the time to ignore red flags. Join the large and growing list – portfolio managers, analysts, private investors – who already have signed on as premium subscribers to my Red Flag Alerts for one reason: To understand what could go wrong before – not after – the news hits.
Start flying your own red flags, with the goal of avoiding the laggards and losers... because lurking under the cover of this market’s euphoria are the frauds and failures. After all, when the tide goes out…!
The single biggest mistake investors make is looking at reward before risk. The smartest investors do just the opposite…
Looking for reasons to avoid buying a stock, or what the risks are if you do, has been the hallmark of Herb on the Street for decades and, in more recent years, my Red Flag Alerts of Stocks to Avoid.
Even in a market that seems to do nothing but go up, it’s still a market of stocks… and some can and DO go down, even as the market surges higher.
Of course, some go up – some way up – which is to be expected in markets like these, when short squeezes can make it easy to lose sight of underlying fundamentals. (Just remember, when you take the express elevator up, if the natural cushion of buyers disappears, as the short-sellers are squeezed out, it very well may be the elevator shaft down.)
This is is why, if you’re serious about investing, you should consider becoming a premium subscriber.
If you don’t think you can either make or avoid losing the price of the subscription, then you should not subscribe.
Unless, of course, you’re here because you find some other value in my work, such as learning about how to avoid getting hoodwinked.
Whether I’m helping open your eyes to what could go wrong, or just flagging what ultimately may turn out to be an irrelevant piece of the mosaic, I like to think that I’m helping you manage or merely identify risk…
Or if you’re not an active investor, helping to educate you about why some people might be on the opposite side of your trade. I can’t stress the importance of this!
Whichever camp you might fall in, the concept is simple: with thousands of publicly traded stocks, why pick these?
Even if I don’t write about your stock: in a market where the notions that “you only live once” and “hold on for dear life” have eclipsed the concepts of fundamental investing, hopefully Herb on the Street and my Red Flag Alerts will help serve as a reminder of the risks, as it did for this subscriber, who wrote…
And this one…
And this one…
And for what it’s worth: I also fly green flags every and then. But when I do, I practice what I preach – always thinking to myself: What could go wrong?
Subscribe, and you’ll be thinking that, too.
FAQs
The Strategy: Red Flags & Research
Who should subscribe to you? This newsletter isn’t for the casual “meme stock” trader or someone looking for a “get rich quick” tip or trade. It is for:
Risk-Averse Investors: People who believe that the best way to grow wealth is to first ensure you don’t lose it on companies with hidden structural or financial flaws.
Active Short-Sellers: Traders looking for fundamental catalysts and “short alpha” backed by my research.
Institutional Pros & Analysts: Professionals who need a skeptical second opinion that isn’t influenced by investment banking relationships or “pay-to-play” research models.
The Naturally Skeptical: If you find yourself asking “This looks too good to be true” you’re at the right place.
Long Investors: If you’re long-biased, think of this as insurance – or reason to re-underwrite or re-review your position – if I flag one of your companies.
What is a “Red Flag Alert”? Red Flag Alerts highlight stocks to avoid, focusing on hidden structural, financial, or behavioral risks. While designed to help investors sidestep blow-ups, short-sellers often use these reports to identify fundamental short opportunities.
What does do I get with a Red Flag Alerts subscription: My Red Flag Alerts, full archives and regular topical commentary.
How does this differ from “Herb on the Street”? Herb on the Street is my signature brand for commentary and market observations. These posts are typically available to all readers.
I notice you also have “Special Situations”. What is that? That’s where I publish the occasional under-the-radar or out-of-favor long idea.
How do you source your ideas? I pull from a variety of sources: short-sellers, quantitative data, and a private network of investors and collaborators. I am incredibly selective. I reject far more ideas than I actually do, relying on my decades of experience to decide what is worth your time.
Do you provide price targets or “Buy/Sell” ratings? No. My work is based on observations and interpretations of facts and filings; it is not investment advice. I provide the information; you and your advisor make the decisions.
Is this suitable for beginners? Only if they’re serious. This work helps investors understand who may be on the other side of their trades—and why. Many readers say it sharpens their skeptical instincts while cutting through market noise in an easy-to-consume, often entertaining format..
Subscription & Logistics
How often do you publish? I don’t write to hit a quota—that leads to noise, not value. However, I am “wired to write.” You can expect a post (free or paid) at least once a week, approximately 46 weeks a year. In reality, I usually publish more frequently than that.
How often do you publish new Red Flag Alerts? I only publish an Alert when I have a compelling, deeply researched case. My internal target is 8 to 15 per year. My recent track record reflects this discipline:
Total Alerts (May 2023 – Dec 2025): 48
2025 Alerts: 15
Do you update your previous Red Flag ideas? I update them when it is warranted, but I do not promise a specific follow-up schedule or anchor my life to earnings season. My archives serve as a living record of how these ideas play out.
What do I get after I subscribe to your annual tier? You will get immediate access to my full archive and full access to all Red Flag Alerts and updates or “subscriber-only” reports I write.
Why is the monthly price so high compared to the annual rate? The pricing is intentional. It is designed to discourage...” try: “Monthly pricing is higher to discourage one-off subscribers cherry-picking single reports. I’m building a community, not a drive-through.
What is your invitation-only Pro tier? This tier is specifically tailored for institutional investors, family offices, and professional managers who require a deeper level of engagement and data access. Pro subscribers receive:
Direct Access: Periodic direct contact.
Priority Communication: Guaranteed quick email responses.
The Proprietary Red Flag Database: Exclusive access to a live, searchable Google Sheet documenting every Red Flag Alert since inception, including tickers, dates, the initial price and current price.
Why invitation-only? I’m highly selective about the Pro community to ensure the “fit” is right for everyone involved. Most members come from hedge funds and family offices, and I maintain a strict “no-jerks” policy.
Do you accept soft dollars? Yes.
Do you offer refunds? No. I don’t offer trials, either. Previews to my premium work as well as my free reports should provide a good indication of what subscribers can expect.
Do you offer group rates? Yes. You can find details on my Group Subscription Page.
Engagement & Disclosure
Do you make buy/sell recommendations? No.
Do you put valuations on stocks? No.
Do you offer investment advice? No.
Do you offer group calls? Yes! I will be starting an interactive Office Hours for paid subscribers every 4–6 weeks. This will be held in a group setting via video.
Are you invested in the stocks you write about? I do not short stocks directly or through options. If I ever have a long or any position in a company I mention, it will be clearly disclosed.
Can I send you ideas? Absolutely. I welcome tips and ideas from readers. You can reach out via my private email or herb@herbgreenberg.com.
Bottom Line
Think of my newsletter as a skeptical second opinion designed to help you avoid bad stocks, bad narratives, and bad capital allocation decisions—before they cost you money.
What more premium subscribers are saying…
DISCLAIMER: This is solely my opinion based on my observations and interpretations of events, based on published facts and filings, and should not be construed as personal investment advice. (Because it isn’t!)
I can be reached at herb@herbgreenberg.com.