Seeking Alpha PRO: What is a Top Idea?

Top Ideas is a PRO feature that showcases high-conviction long or short ideas with asymmetric risk/reward profiles.

What we look for in Top Ideas

There are four pillars we look for:

  • Independence: The author should provide unique, independent insight and analysis into the investment story. While it is fine to discuss others’ opinions, such as those of management or analysts, it’s important to remember that PRO subscribers are serious investors and investment professionals who want to read your specific thesis.
  • Mispricing: The author should identify the source of the mispricing. For example, why does this opportunity exist, what is the market missing, and why do you disagree with the market.
  • Asymmetric risk/return profile: A significantly larger upside than downside for a long idea (vice versa for short idea) should be supported from both a qualitative and quantitative standpoint. Although not required, providing a bear, base, and bull case scenario is helpful.
  • A well-presented, concise, and easy-to-follow thesis: While we respect and encourage diverse writing styles and formats, incorporating the sections listed below should be helpful for you when writing the article and for readers to follow your thesis:
  1. Investment thesis overview (a 1-2 paragraph summary of the thesis that discusses the mispricing, valuation, upside/downside, and any catalysts)
  2. Mispricing
  3. Valuation
  4. Risks
  5. Conclusion

Compensation: Top Ideas pays $500 and is selected post publication.

If you want to highlight a submission or a published article for our attention after it has made it through the publication process, please email the PRO editorial team at pro-editors@seekingalpha.com.

You can learn more about Top Ideas here.