If you’ve ever been curious about those hyped-up investment teasers promising the “next big stock,” you’ve probably stumbled across Stock Gumshoe.
The site was founded in 2007 by Travis Johnson. And it has since built a reputation for demystifying investment newsletters and uncovering the stocks teased in different promos.
It even has a paid membership called the “Irregulars,” which gives you access to Travis Johnson’s private stock ideas and some bonus content.
But is it really worth your time or money?
That’s what I wanted to know. So I looked into Stock Gumshoe to see how it really stacks up, and in this review, I’ll show you exactly what I found.
I’ll also introduce you to my top-rated newsletter, which is a no-hype service run by a guy who has called more triple-digit (and even quadruple-digit) stock winners than anyone I’ve seen.
See My Top-Rated NewsletterStock Gumshoe Review (6 Things to Know)
I’ve taken a close look at Stock Gumshoe, and I can safely say that yes, it is a legitimate site that provides readers with a lot of value. However, that doesn’t mean that Travis Johnson’s analysis is always right or that his recommendations will make you rich.
So, if you want to know more about how the site works, who’s running it, and how worthwhile the premium membership is… read on.
(1) What Is Stock Gumshoe?
Stock Gumshoe is a website that helps investors uncover the stocks and investments being teased in financial newsletters — without you having to buy those newsletters.
You’ve probably seen different “gurus” promotions promising “the next big stock” or “a tiny company set to explode,” but they rarely reveal the name upfront.
And that’s where Stock Gumshoe comes in… they investigate those pitches, decode the clues, and reveal what’s really being promoted – all based on the clues shared in the teaser itself.
The site was founded in 2007 and, over the years, has become a go-to resource for many investors looking to cut through marketing hype. It offers:
- Free articles breaking down popular stock teasers
- A community-driven comment section
- Newsletter ratings
- Premium content for members (including stock picks and related research)
It’s not a traditional stock-picking service.
Instead, Stock Gumshoe shares lots of helpful content for free, which is what most people benefit from, and they offer a paid membership as an extra service for those wanting more.
(2) Who Is Travis Johnson?
Travis Johnson is the founder and editor of Stock Gumshoe, which he launched in 2007 to analyze and decode the often vague and sensationalist marketing pitches used by investment newsletters.
Johnson created the site to help investors uncover the actual stocks being teased, enabling them to make more informed decisions without purchasing expensive subscriptions.
Before founding Stock Gumshoe, my research indicates that he worked as a Law and Economics librarian at institutions including Cornell University and the University of Maryland.
His background in research and academia provided him with the skills necessary to dissect financial promotions and share his research in an easy-to-understand way.
In addition to the articles on the Stock Gumshoe website, which are free to access, Johnson offers premium members access to his “Real Money Portfolio” and “$100K Lock Box Portfolio,” where he shares his personal investment ideas and the rationale behind them.
(3) How Much Does Stock Gumshoe Cost?
There are three Stock Gumshoe membership levels:
- Free membership: Free members can access most of the stock teaser decoding articles, community discussions, and stock teaser tracking. You will see ads on the site, and some premium content is locked. This also includes a free email subscription, where you receive updates on the latest content.
- Premium membership (“Stock Gumshoe Irregulars”): The Premium membership (called Stock Gumshoe Irregulars) costs $7.99 per month, $79 per year, or $399 for a lifetime membership. This gives you access to Travis Johnson’s “Friday File” updates, the Real Money Portfolio, and the $100k Lock Box Portfolio. Basically, you get access to his own personal stock ideas and member-only research. This level also gives you the ability to create your own discussion thread on the site and a “Quick Take box” that summarizes Johnson’s thoughts on the site’s articles to save you time.
- Premium (Plus+ Ad Free): This is the same as the above membership but with no ads, so you can enjoy all the content without any ads. It costs $11/month, $119/year, or $599 for a lifetime subscription.
(4) Does Stock Gumshoe Have a Legit Refund Policy?
Yes, Stock Gumshoe has a straightforward and legitimate refund policy for its premium memberships. According to the site, all Premium Memberships (including Standard and Plus+ Ad-Free options) are refundable, as long as you contact them within 60 days of the payment.
It’s worth noting that all subscriptions automatically renew (monthly and annually) unless they are cancelled beforehand. And the refund policy does not apply to Lifetime subscriptions.
(5) Does Stock Gumshoe Have a Good Track Record?
Stock Gumshoe is not a typical stock-picking service. The site’s main focus is on exposing the stocks and investments being teased in newsletters, not providing formal buy or sell recommendations.
That said, for premium members, Travis Johnson shares two model portfolios:
- The Real Money Portfolio: This reflects how Johnson invests his own money, with regular updates and explanations of his moves.
- The $100k Lock Box Portfolio: A separate, educational model portfolio intended to focus on more stable, long-term ideas.
Is there verified performance data? No. Unfortunately, Stock Gumshoe does not publish an official performance report for either of the above portfolios on its website. So it’s not possible to see how well Travis Johnson’s picks have performed until after joining the service.
(6) Is Stock Gumshoe Legit?
Yes, Stock Gumshoe is a legitimate site. They’ve been around since 2007 and have built a strong reputation for investigating and exposing investment newsletter promotions since then.
Thousands of investors use it to find out which stocks are being teased in paid ads — without having to buy those newsletters themselves.
I’ve even used it myself at times, as it’s often super helpful!
That said, as far as investment newsletters go, it’s not my top recommendation.
Not because I think it’s a scam or not worth it, but when it comes to finding stock ideas from someone with a consistent track record, there are better options.
For example: Alexander Green.
I’ve reviewed hundreds of investment newsletters over the years, and few have impressed me as much as Alex Green’s track record.
He has called more triple-digit (and even quadruple-digit) stock winners than anyone I’ve seen. In fact, Alex identified 4 of the 6 best-performing stocks of the past 20 years — Apple, Netflix, Intuitive Surgical, and Nvidia.
That’s not just impressive — it’s nearly unheard of.
Now, Alex is zeroing in on what he sees as the biggest investment opportunity for 2025: artificial intelligence.
He believes AI is about to reshape the global economy, and that it could create 20 million new millionaires over the next four years as America races to lead the AI revolution.
In a brand-new presentation, Alex reveals his top 3 AI stocks for 2025 — and why each could soar as much as 20-fold or more in the years ahead.
He shares all the details in a special event alongside veteran broadcaster Bill O’Reilly.
Click here to watch the full presentation now:
