Finviz Stock Screener Mobile App: How To Use It Like A Pro

Finviz is a powerhouse for stock market research, and its mobile app brings that power to your fingertips. While the desktop version is incredibly robust, the mobile app offers a streamlined experience perfect for quick scans and on-the-go analysis. Many investors underutilize the Finviz mobile app, sticking to basic searches. This post will show you how to leverage its features to find promising stocks and stay ahead of the market. We'll cover everything from setting up your account to creating custom screens, so you can start using Finviz like a seasoned pro.

Ready to unlock the potential of Finviz on your phone? Let's dive in.

1. Setting Up Your Finviz Mobile App

First things first, download the Finviz app from your app store (iOS and Android). The app is free to use, offering a substantial amount of data without requiring a subscription. However, a Finviz Elite subscription unlocks real-time data, advanced charting, and other premium features.

Once downloaded, open the app. You don’t need to create an account to start using the basic features. However, creating a free account (or logging in if you already have one) allows you to save your custom screens and portfolio watchlists, making your workflow much more efficient. To create an account, navigate to the "Settings" tab (usually represented by a gear icon) and follow the prompts.

2. Navigating the App Interface

The Finviz mobile app is designed for intuitive navigation. Here's a quick rundown of the main sections:

  • Home: This is your dashboard, providing a quick overview of market performance, news headlines, and your watchlist.
  • News: Stay updated with the latest market news, company-specific announcements, and analyst ratings. You can filter news by source and topic.
  • Screener: The heart of Finviz. This section allows you to filter stocks based on a wide range of criteria, from fundamental metrics to technical indicators.
  • Maps: A visual representation of market performance, showing sector and industry performance at a glance.
  • Portfolio: Track your holdings and monitor their performance. This requires creating an account and adding your stocks.
  • Settings: Customize the app's appearance, manage your account, and access help resources.

Take some time to explore each section to familiarize yourself with its layout and features.

3. Mastering the Stock Screener: Your Key to Finding Hidden Gems

The stock screener is where the Finviz mobile app truly shines. Here's how to use it effectively:

  • Accessing the Screener: Tap the "Screener" icon in the bottom navigation bar.

  • Understanding the Filters: The screener offers a comprehensive set of filters categorized into Descriptive, Fundamental, Technical, and All.

    • Descriptive: Filters based on basic information like market capitalization, industry, and country.
    • Fundamental: Filters based on financial metrics like P/E ratio, EPS growth, debt-to-equity ratio, and dividend yield.
    • Technical: Filters based on technical indicators like moving averages, RSI, MACD, and candlestick patterns.
    • All: Combines all available filters for maximum customization.

  • Applying Filters: To apply a filter, tap on its category (e.g., "Fundamental"). Then, select the specific filter you want to use (e.g., "P/E Ratio") and set your desired parameters (e.g., "Under 15"). The app will automatically update the results based on your criteria.

  • Combining Filters: The real power of the screener lies in combining multiple filters. For example, you could screen for stocks with a market cap above $1 billion (Descriptive), a P/E ratio under 15 (Fundamental), and an RSI below 30 (Technical). This allows you to narrow down the universe of stocks to those that meet your specific investment criteria.

  • Saving Your Screens: Once you've created a screen that you like, save it by tapping the "Save" icon (usually a floppy disk or bookmark). Give your screen a descriptive name so you can easily recall it later. Saved screens are accessible from the "My Screens" section.

Example: Let's say you're looking for undervalued growth stocks. You might use the following filters:

  • Market Cap: Over $500 Million
  • P/E Ratio: Under 20
  • EPS Growth (past 5 years): Over 10%
  • Debt/Equity Ratio: Under 1

This screen will identify companies with a reasonable market cap, attractive valuation, strong growth potential, and manageable debt levels.

4. Analyzing Stock Details: Going Beyond the Screen

Once you've identified a stock that looks interesting using the screener, tap on it to view its detailed information page. This page provides a wealth of data, including:

  • Company Overview: A brief description of the company's business.
  • Financials: Key financial metrics like revenue, earnings, and debt.
  • News: Recent news articles and press releases related to the company.
  • Charts: Historical price charts with various technical indicators.
  • Insider Trading: Information on recent stock purchases and sales by company insiders.
  • Analyst Ratings: Consensus ratings and price targets from Wall Street analysts.

Use this information to conduct further due diligence on the stock and determine if it aligns with your investment strategy. Pay close attention to the company's financials, news, and insider trading activity.

5. Leveraging the News and Maps Sections

The "News" and "Maps" sections offer valuable insights into market trends and individual company performance.

  • News: Use the "News" section to stay informed about market-moving events and company-specific announcements. Filter news by source, topic, and company to focus on the information that matters most to you.
  • Maps: The "Maps" section provides a visual representation of market performance. The Sector map shows the performance of different sectors, while the Industry map shows the performance of different industries. Use these maps to identify sectors and industries that are outperforming or underperforming the market.

6. Creating and Managing Your Portfolio Watchlist

The "Portfolio" section allows you to track your holdings and monitor their performance. To add a stock to your watchlist, simply search for the stock ticker and tap the "Add to Portfolio" button. You can create multiple watchlists to organize your stocks by strategy or sector.

The Portfolio section provides real-time price quotes, performance charts, and news headlines for your watchlist stocks. This allows you to quickly assess the performance of your portfolio and stay informed about any relevant developments.

7. Pro Tips for Using the Finviz Mobile App

  • Start with a Hypothesis: Don't just randomly apply filters. Start with a clear investment thesis (e.g., "I want to find undervalued companies in the technology sector") and then use the screener to identify stocks that fit your criteria.
  • Backtest Your Screens: Before investing in stocks identified by your screens, backtest them using historical data to see how they would have performed in the past. While past performance is not indicative of future results, it can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of your screening criteria.
  • Don't Rely Solely on Finviz: The Finviz mobile app is a powerful tool, but it should not be your only source of information. Always conduct thorough due diligence on any stock before investing, using a variety of sources.
  • Experiment with Different Filters: Don't be afraid to experiment with different filters and combinations of filters. The more you use the screener, the better you'll become at finding promising stocks.
  • Use Alerts (Elite Feature): If you subscribe to Finviz Elite, take advantage of the alert feature to receive notifications when stocks meet your specific criteria. This can save you time and effort by automatically identifying potential investment opportunities.

Conclusion: Your Finviz Mobile App Advantage

The Finviz mobile app is a powerful tool for stock market research and analysis. By mastering its features and following the tips outlined in this post, you can use it like a pro to find promising stocks, stay ahead of the market, and improve your investment performance. Remember to start with a clear investment thesis, backtest your screens, and conduct thorough due diligence before investing in any stock. Happy screening!