What are the highest rated and most well-known stock rating companies:

1. Morningstar

One of the largest and most prestigious independent investment research firms. Provides analyst ratings on stocks, funds, ETFs across the globe.

2. Value Line

An independent investment research company known for its timely reports and proprietary ranking system for stocks, industries, and sectors.

3. S&P Global (formerly S&P Capital IQ)

Acquired from McGraw Hill, S&P provides research, ratings, data, and analytics on stocks, bonds, funds and other securities.

4. CFRA (formerly S&P Global Market Intelligence)

Equity and fund research arm spun off from S&P Global. Issues stock reports, buy/sell recommendations and industry analysis.

5. Zacks Investment Research

Utilizes a proprietary ranking system to rate stocks based on revisions in broker earnings estimates.

6. Credit Suisse

Global investment bank with a large equity research team that provides institutional-grade stock analysis.

7. Argus Research

Independent firm publishing reports with quantitative security analysis and buy/sell/hold ratings.

8. New Constructs

A newer firm aiming to cut through accounting loopholes and potential distortions in financial statements.

9. Thomson Reuters

Widely used by professionals, providing consensus analyst estimates, reports and ratings coverage.

10. Ned Davis Research

Technical analysis perspective providing quantitative research on stocks, ETFs and markets.

Most of these firms employ large analyst teams dedicated to crunching data and conducting fundamental research to rate equities. Their methodologies and analytical approaches vary.

Here are some of the highest rated and most well-known stock rating companies:

1. Morningstar

One of the largest and most prestigious independent investment research firms. Provides analyst ratings on stocks, funds, ETFs across the globe.

2. Value Line

An independent investment research company known for its timely reports and proprietary ranking system for stocks, industries, and sectors.

3. S&P Global (formerly S&P Capital IQ)

Acquired from McGraw Hill, S&P provides research, ratings, data, and analytics on stocks, bonds, funds and other securities.

4. CFRA (formerly S&P Global Market Intelligence)

Equity and fund research arm spun off from S&P Global. Issues stock reports, buy/sell recommendations and industry analysis.

5. Zacks Investment Research

Utilizes a proprietary ranking system to rate stocks based on revisions in broker earnings estimates.

6. Credit Suisse

Global investment bank with a large equity research team that provides institutional-grade stock analysis.

7. Argus Research

Independent firm publishing reports with quantitative security analysis and buy/sell/hold ratings.

8. New Constructs

A newer firm aiming to cut through accounting loopholes and potential distortions in financial statements.

9. Thomson Reuters

Widely used by professionals, providing consensus analyst estimates, reports and ratings coverage.

10. Ned Davis Research

Technical analysis perspective providing quantitative research on stocks, ETFs and markets.

Most of these firms employ large analyst teams dedicated to crunching data and conducting fundamental research to rate equities. Their methodologies and analytical approaches vary.