How to identify other companies weaknesses

I'm going to take a wild guess and say comparative financial statements. Then compare them to others in the same industry, if you can find comps that are really in the same industry. General Electric, as an example is such a diversified conglomerate that you just aren't going to find anything remotely comparable.

So, you can spot weakness. How does that become an opportunity for someone else. I recall a company totally involved in robotics, but were known to be in such a poor financial position that I didn't consider them an investment opportunity. Sure enough, they were bought out by General Motors, and the share price went through the roof.

So, a company with a unique and valuable technology or product, but having too weak a financial position to exploit their technology might be what you are looking for.

I know of no single tool that will get you there. If you want good information and stock suggestions, Value Line is still good.

I don't know if any specific tools that help, but often I call up my company's competitors and act as if I am interested in becoming their customer.