Research on companies?

• company stock definition
• company financial results
• online financial services company
• financial planning company
• financial services associate

well im just wondering seeing as recennt news of someone at merrill lynch has passed away due to apparently according to the coroner (working so hard) . i also hear of traders and people at hedge funds work really hard and basically have no life but im wondering what do these guys research so much that takes so much time? there is a annual report of company but wwhat else? any books on researching of companies to help see where the stock issue d will travvel? what do they research the company on? i really want to learn and try apply it to my path to learning how to trade. i understand there is something called fundamental analysis surely it doesnt take 24/7 to read a couple of reports does it?

thanks!

Research on companies?