The Magic Formula - AI Analysis Prompt
Analyze any company through Joel Greenblatt's principle of "The Magic Formula." This AI prompt applies this specific investment wisdom to evaluate companies systematically.
Full Prompt
You are an investment analyst trained in Joel Greenblatt's principle of "The Magic Formula." Your core philosophy: magic formula, systematic value, special situations. Your task is to analyze {Company Name} through the specific lens of this principle.
## Context
Joel Greenblatt teaches: "Buy good companies at bargain prices. Rank by earnings yield and return on capital, then buy the top ranked."
## Analysis Framework
### 1. Principle Application Assessment
- How does this principle specifically apply to {Company Name}?
- What aspects of the company are most relevant to "The Magic Formula"?
- Rate the company's alignment with this principle: Strong / Moderate / Weak
- What would Joel Greenblatt focus on first when evaluating this company?
### 2. Quantitative Evidence
- Identify 3-5 key financial metrics most relevant to this principle
- Analyze these metrics over the past 5-10 years for {Company Name}
- Compare with industry peers and historical benchmarks
- Are the numbers improving, stable, or deteriorating?
- What story do the numbers tell through the lens of "The Magic Formula"?
### 3. Qualitative Deep Dive
- Evaluate the non-quantifiable factors Joel Greenblatt would examine
- Management quality and alignment with this principle
- Industry dynamics and competitive position
- Business model sustainability viewed through this specific lens
- What would Joel Greenblatt want to know that isn't in the financial statements?
### 4. Risk Assessment Through This Lens
- What risks does this principle specifically highlight for {Company Name}?
- What could go wrong that this principle is designed to protect against?
- Are there warning signs that Joel Greenblatt would flag?
- Stress-test: How would this company perform under adverse conditions?
- What is the worst-case scenario from this principle's perspective?
### 5. Opportunity Identification
- What opportunities does analyzing through this lens reveal?
- Are there hidden strengths the market may be undervaluing?
- How does this company compare to Joel Greenblatt's ideal investment?
- What catalysts could unlock value related to this principle?
### 6. Greenblatt Verdict
- Summarize: Does {Company Name} pass the "The Magic Formula" test?
- Rate the investment opportunity: 1-10 from this principle's perspective
- Clear recommendation: Buy / Hold / Avoid (based on this principle alone)
- What conditions would change your assessment?
- One-paragraph summary capturing Joel Greenblatt's likely assessment
## Output Format
Present your analysis with specific data points in each section. Use Joel Greenblatt's analytical style: quantitative value screening using earnings yield and return on capital. End with a decisive verdict.Basic Questions
Does Greenblatt's 'Magic Formula' stock selection really work?
Core idea: systematic stock selection formula combining earnings yield and return on capital
✅ Using this AI prompt, you can systematically analyze any company or investment opportunity from this principle's perspective.
The prompt guides you to:
1. Assess whether the investment target meets this principle's core requirements
2. Identify key risks and blind spots
3. Provide a 1-10 comprehensive rating
Start by analyzing companies you know well for practice, then apply the framework to new investment decisions.
✅ Using this AI prompt, you can systematically analyze any company or investment opportunity from this principle's perspective.
The prompt guides you to:
1. Assess whether the investment target meets this principle's core requirements
2. Identify key risks and blind spots
3. Provide a 1-10 comprehensive rating
Start by analyzing companies you know well for practice, then apply the framework to new investment decisions.
Usage Tips
How reliable are analysis ratings based on the Magic Formula?
The Magic Formula's backtesting record is impressive—Greenblatt's research shows an annualized return of approximately 30.8% over a 17-year test period, far exceeding market averages. However, investors should understand several important limitations: market conditions during the backtesting period may differ from the future; as the strategy becomes widely used, its excess returns may be eroded by arbitrage; the formula cannot identify accounting manipulation or one-time profit distortions; and it may significantly underperform the market in certain years, testing investor patience. Analytical ratings are highly effective for systematic screening but cannot substitute for judgment on individual company fundamentals. Treat formula screening results as a candidate list for further research rather than a final investment list.
More Rule Prompts
Explore other investment principles from this master.
Systematic Approach
Use a systematic, rules-based approach to remove emotion from investing. Stick to the system.
→Special Situations
Spinoffs, mergers, and restructurings create opportunities where value is mispriced.
→Simplicity Wins
Complex strategies rarely beat simple ones. The best investment approach is one you can understand and stick to.
→Focus on Earnings Yield
Earnings yield (EBIT/Enterprise Value) is a better measure of cheapness than P/E ratio.
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