Scuttlebutt: How to Find Multi-Bagger Stocks Through "Gossip" to Beat the Market /By Longtunman
"Inside information" is something many investors crave. If these tips are true, they provide a massive advantage, leading to opportunities for exceptional returns.
If you were to ask who holds the most "insider" information, it would undoubtedly be the company executives and accountants.
However, if these individuals leak such information before it is made public, it constitutes a violation of SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) regulations.
Nevertheless, there is a way to gain "inside" insights without breaking any laws. This method is called “Scuttlebutt,”which literally translates to gossip or rumors.
The term was coined by Philip Fisher, widely regarded as the "Father of Growth Investing" and the original pioneer of finding stocks that generate multi-bagger returns (returns of several hundred percent).
Fisher was also the key figure who influenced Warren Buffett to shift his investment style—moving away from buying only cheap "cigar butt" stocks toward investing in businesses with strong operations.
Where can we find "Scuttlebutt"?
Longtunman will explain.
Scuttlebutt is the process of gathering internal business information by "tracking" a company. This involves seeking out perspectives on products or services from the company of interest, or even from its competitors within the same industry.
We use this information to supplement financial statements, news, and executive reports. It helps verify the accuracy of official data and provides a broader, deeper analytical perspective.
The follow-up question is: Who exactly do we listen to or investigate to get this information?
Method 1: Investigating Through Company Employees
Employees are on the front lines. They see customer behavior firsthand and can often predict whether sales of a product or service are trending up or down.
Furthermore, you can dig into internal workflows and organizational culture—details you will never find in a financial statement. Information from former employees is also incredibly valuable.
Therefore, you should seek out acquaintances who are employees or build relationships with them. They are a prime source of information that can give you an edge.
Today, investors often read employee reviews on sites like Glassdoor or monitor hiring and resignation trends on LinkedIn to assess the internal health of an organization.
Note: The heart of Scuttlebutt is gathering "small puzzle pieces" to assemble yourself, not trying to force top-secret data out of staff.
While Scuttlebutt is legal, the SEC is very strict about Insider Trading. If an employee reveals material, non-public information—such as a sudden sales spike before the books close or a secret deal—trading on that information is risky. If the info is too "explicit," it could be interpreted as illegal insider trading.
Method 2: Investigating Through Suppliers and Business Partners
Business partners are another excellent source because a company’s performance is often reflected in its partners' activities.
For example, you can gauge the performance of a food and beverage company through wholesalers and retailers. Go to a mall or supermarket and see if the product is placed at eye level or occupies more shelf space than competitors.
Retailers usually give the most space to the best-selling or most profitable brands. If a brand you hold is moved to the bottom shelf or its space is reduced, that is a warning sign from the partner that the product is losing popularity.
Another example is observing supplier delivery trucks. Logistics data is a very accurate indicator of demand. By watching the volume of trucks entering or exiting a factory or warehouse—whether it's Kerry, Flash, or cold-chain logistics—you can see if orders are high, even outside of peak seasons.
Even at IT or sports retail stores, besides looking at foot traffic, you can ask staff which products are selling best and how they differ from other brands. This helps you decide which brand is truly "trending."
Method 3: Investigating Through Industry Competitors
In business, it is natural to analyze competitors. Beyond looking at market share or growth trends, you can use information from other players in the industry to help make decisions.
For example, if a company is struggling with shipping delays, you can ask staff at competing stores if their similar products are in stock. This helps analyze the readiness and inventory management of each firm.
In Thailand, during Opportunity Day (Opp Day)—where executives present to investors—you can ask competitors about the strengths and weaknesses of the company you are interested in.
The benefit here is that competitors are often better at pointing out a company’s flaws than the company itself. Conversely, if a competitor admits another company has a specific strength, that claim is highly credible.
Method 4: Investigating Through Customer Groups
In the past, finding customer reviews was difficult and limited to a small circle of acquaintances. Today, you can find thousands of opinions on various platforms:
E-commerce: Amazon, Lazada, Shopee.
Social Media: Facebook, TikTok, IG, YouTube, X.
Travel/Dining: Agoda, Trip, Booking, Grab, LINEMAN, Wongnai, and Tripadvisor.
These reviews reveal whether the "vision" sold by executives matches the reality on the ground. You can also use digital tools like Google Trends or Social Listening to gauge online sentiment.
For B2B (Business-to-Business) products, like medical equipment, you can ask the end-users—doctors or nurses—about their experience. Their feedback is often more honest and useful than what you’d hear from a CEO.
Method 5: Investigating Through Your Own Experience
Peter Lynch, the world-renowned fund manager, used this method to find multi-bagger stocks by observing what his own family used.
A classic case involves his wife’s preference for L'eggs pantyhose (owned by HanesBrands). Lynch even bought a competitor's brand for his wife to compare; she concluded they weren't as comfortable and couldn't replace her favorites.
Shortly after his investigation, the company's sales soared, and the stock price multiplied several times over. This proves that great stocks are often closer than we think—they are part of our daily lives, even if we don't realize it.
Warning: Be careful of personal bias. Don't let your own love (or hate) for a product cloud your judgment.
The Scuttlebutt strategy is a powerful tool for stock analysis. If done consistently, it builds the discipline needed to "know deep and know real." It allows you to see beyond the historical earnings and profit figures that everyone else already knows.