Finviz Stock Screener App: Setup, Features, And Best Practices

Finviz, short for Financial Visualizations, is a powerful, free (with a paid Elite option) web-based platform that provides comprehensive stock market data, news, and analysis. While Finviz doesn't have a dedicated mobile app, its website is highly responsive and works exceptionally well on mobile devices. This makes it essentially a Finviz stock screener app in disguise! This post will guide you through setting up and using Finviz effectively on your mobile device, highlighting key features and best practices to help you find promising investment opportunities.

Whether you're a seasoned trader or just starting your investment journey, Finviz offers a wealth of information to help you make informed decisions. Its intuitive interface and robust filtering capabilities allow you to quickly identify stocks that meet your specific criteria. This guide will focus on leveraging the mobile-friendly website to achieve the same functionalities as a dedicated app.

Ready to unlock the power of Finviz on your phone or tablet? Let's dive in!

1. Accessing Finviz on Your Mobile Device

Since there's no official Finviz app, you'll access it through your mobile browser. Here's how:

  • Open your preferred mobile browser: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or any other browser you use on your phone or tablet.
  • Type in the address: Enter "finviz.com" in the address bar and press go.
  • Bookmark the page: For quick access in the future, bookmark the Finviz homepage. This effectively creates a shortcut, mimicking an app icon on your home screen.

That's it! You now have access to the full Finviz platform on your mobile device.

2. Setting Up Your Finviz Account (Optional)

While you can use Finviz without an account, creating one unlocks several benefits:

  • Saving Screeners: Save your custom stock screener configurations for future use. This is a huge time-saver.
  • Portfolio Tracking: Track your portfolio performance directly within Finviz.
  • Customization: Customize the website layout and settings to your preferences.

To create an account:

  • Click "Register" at the top right corner of the homepage.
  • Fill in the required information: Username, email address, and password.
  • Verify your email address: Check your inbox for a verification email from Finviz.

With an account, you can personalize your Finviz experience and streamline your stock screening process.

3. Understanding the Key Features of Finviz

Finviz offers a wide range of features. Here are some of the most useful for mobile users:

  • Stock Screener: The heart of Finviz. Allows you to filter stocks based on various criteria.
  • News: Aggregates financial news from various sources.
  • Maps: Provides a visual representation of market performance.
  • Groups: Shows the performance of different industry groups.
  • Portfolio: Track your stock portfolio. (Requires an account)
  • Futures: Real-time futures data.
  • Forex: Foreign exchange rates and charts.
  • Crypto: Cryptocurrency prices and charts.

For stock screening, the screener is the most important feature. Let's explore it in detail.

4. Mastering the Finviz Stock Screener

The Finviz stock screener is the tool you'll use most often. Here's a breakdown of how to use it effectively on mobile:

  • Accessing the Screener: On the homepage, click on the "Screener" tab.
  • Understanding the Filters: The screener is divided into three main sections:
    • Descriptive: Filters based on market cap, sector, industry, country, etc.
    • Fundamental: Filters based on financial ratios like P/E, EPS, ROE, debt/equity, etc.
    • Technical: Filters based on technical indicators like moving averages, RSI, MACD, etc.
  • Applying Filters: Tap on a filter category (Descriptive, Fundamental, or Technical). A dropdown menu will appear with various options. Select the criteria you want to use.
  • Combining Filters: You can combine multiple filters to narrow down your search results. For example, you can search for stocks in the technology sector with a P/E ratio below 20 and an RSI above 70.
  • Sorting Results: Once you've applied your filters, you can sort the results by various metrics. Click on the column header to sort by that metric.
  • Saving Your Screeners: If you have an account, you can save your screener configurations for future use. Click on the "Save Screener" button.

Example: Let's say you want to find small-cap stocks in the healthcare sector with a positive earnings per share (EPS).

  1. Go to the Screener.
  2. Under "Descriptive," select "Market Cap" and choose "Small ($300M to $2B)."
  3. Under "Descriptive," select "Sector" and choose "Healthcare."
  4. Under "Fundamental," select "EPS (ttm)" and choose "Positive."

Finviz will then display a list of stocks that meet these criteria.

5. Best Practices for Using Finviz on Mobile

  • Utilize Landscape Mode: Rotating your phone or tablet to landscape mode often provides a better viewing experience, especially when analyzing charts or tables.
  • Zoom In and Out: Use the pinch-to-zoom gesture to zoom in on specific areas of charts or tables for a closer look.
  • Customize Your View: In the screener, you can customize the columns displayed to show the metrics that are most important to you. Click on the "Customize" button.
  • Take Advantage of the "Signal" Filters: The "Signal" filters in the technical section can help you identify stocks that are exhibiting specific technical patterns, such as "Top Gainers," "New Highs," or "Unusual Volume."
  • Don't Rely Solely on Finviz: Finviz is a great tool, but it shouldn't be the only source of information you use. Always do your own research and consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
  • Be Mindful of Data Lag: While Finviz provides real-time data, there may be a slight delay. Keep this in mind when making trading decisions.
  • Consider Finviz Elite: If you find yourself using Finviz frequently, consider upgrading to Finviz Elite. It offers several benefits, including real-time data, advanced charting tools, and more data filters. However, the free version is often sufficient for many users.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Over-Filtering: Applying too many filters can significantly reduce the number of results, potentially causing you to miss out on good investment opportunities.
  • Ignoring Fundamental Analysis: While technical analysis can be helpful, it's important to also consider the fundamental factors of a company, such as its financials and management team.
  • Chasing Hot Stocks: Don't get caught up in the hype and invest in stocks simply because they're trending. Always do your own research and make informed decisions.
  • Not Saving Your Screeners: If you find a screener configuration that works well for you, be sure to save it so you can easily use it again in the future.

Conclusion: Empowering Your Mobile Investing with Finviz

While Finviz may not have a dedicated app, its mobile-friendly website provides a powerful and convenient way to screen stocks, analyze market data, and stay informed on the go. By understanding the key features of the platform and following the best practices outlined in this guide, you can effectively leverage Finviz on your mobile device to make smarter investment decisions. Remember to always do your own research and consult with a financial advisor before investing. Happy screening!