Finviz Stock Screener: Stock Price Prediction Guide (2025 Update)

Finviz is a powerful, free (with a premium option) web-based stock screener that provides a wealth of information for investors. While it can't predict the future with 100% accuracy, it can be an invaluable tool for identifying stocks with the potential for growth and, therefore, aiding in your stock price prediction efforts. This guide will explore how to leverage Finviz effectively in 2025 to improve your stock selection process and make more informed investment decisions. Remember, stock price prediction is never guaranteed, and this guide is for informational purposes only. Always conduct thorough research and consider consulting with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

This isn't about finding a magic formula. Instead, we'll focus on using Finviz to filter stocks based on fundamental and technical indicators, allowing you to narrow down your options and focus on companies with strong potential. We'll explore key features, effective screening strategies, and how to interpret the data to form your own stock price prediction hypotheses.

Understanding the Basics of Finviz

Before diving into specific strategies, let's quickly cover the core components of Finviz:

  • Screener: The heart of Finviz, allowing you to filter stocks based on a vast array of criteria.
  • Maps: Visual representations of market performance, categorized by sector and country.
  • News: Aggregates financial news from various sources.
  • Portfolio: Track your portfolio's performance.
  • Groups: Provides sector and industry performance data.
  • Futures: Real-time futures market data.
  • Forex: Foreign exchange rates and information.
  • Crypto: Cryptocurrency data (a relatively new addition).

For stock price prediction, the Screener is where you'll spend most of your time.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Finviz Screener for Stock Price Prediction

Here’s a breakdown of how to use Finviz to identify potential winners:

1. Access the Screener:

2. Choose Your Screening Criteria:

Finviz offers three main tabs for filtering: Descriptive, Fundamental, and Technical. Let's explore each:

  • Descriptive: This tab allows you to filter based on basic company information like market capitalization, sector, industry, country, and exchange.

    • Example: If you're interested in large-cap tech companies in the US, you would set the Market Cap to "Large (over $10 billion)," Sector to "Technology," and Country to "USA."

  • Fundamental: This is where you'll find ratios and metrics related to a company's financial health.

    • Price/Earnings Ratio (P/E): A lower P/E ratio might suggest undervaluation, but compare it to industry peers.
    • Price/Sales Ratio (P/S): Useful for valuing companies with little or no earnings.
    • Debt/Equity Ratio: Indicates the level of a company's debt. A lower ratio is generally preferable.
    • EPS Growth Next 5 Years: Analysts' estimates for future earnings growth. While not a guarantee, it provides insight into expectations.
    • Dividend Yield: The percentage of a company's stock price paid out as dividends.

  • Technical: This tab focuses on price and volume data.

    • Price: Current stock price.
    • Change: Percentage change in price.
    • Volume: Number of shares traded.
    • Average Volume: Average number of shares traded over a period.
    • Relative Volume: Compares current volume to average volume. A high relative volume can indicate strong interest.
    • Moving Averages: Simple Moving Average (SMA) and Exponential Moving Average (EMA) are common indicators.
    • RSI (Relative Strength Index): Measures the magnitude of recent price changes to evaluate overbought or oversold conditions.
    • MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence): A trend-following momentum indicator.

3. Implementing Screening Strategies for Stock Price Prediction

Here are a few example screening strategies to get you started:

  • Growth Stock Screen:

    • Market Cap: Mid ($2B to $10B) or Large (over $10B)
    • EPS Growth Next 5 Years: Over 15%
    • Debt/Equity: Under 1
    • Relative Volume: Over 1.5

  • Value Stock Screen:

    • Market Cap: Mid ($2B to $10B) or Large (over $10B)
    • P/E Ratio: Under 15 (compare to industry average)
    • P/S Ratio: Under 2
    • Dividend Yield: Over 2%

  • Momentum Stock Screen:

    • Price Change (Week): Over 5%
    • Relative Volume: Over 2
    • SMA 20: Price Above SMA20
    • RSI (14): Over 60 (approaching overbought)

4. Analyzing the Results:

  • Once you've applied your filters, Finviz will display a list of stocks that meet your criteria.
  • Click on a stock symbol to view its detailed profile page.
  • Examine the company's financials, news, analyst ratings, and technical charts.
  • Important: Don't rely solely on the screener. Use it as a starting point for further research.

5. Beyond the Screener: Deeper Dive

Finviz is a fantastic starting point, but it shouldn't be your only source of information. Consider these additional steps:

  • Read Company Financial Reports (10-K and 10-Q): Understand the company's business model, financial performance, and risks.
  • Follow Industry News: Stay informed about trends and developments in the company's sector.
  • Analyze Analyst Ratings: While not always accurate, analyst ratings can provide insights into market sentiment.
  • Consider Macroeconomic Factors: Economic conditions can significantly impact stock prices.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Over-Reliance on a Single Indicator: No single metric can predict the future. Use a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.
  • Ignoring Company Fundamentals: Don't chase momentum stocks without understanding the underlying business.
  • Neglecting Risk Management: Always set stop-loss orders to limit potential losses.
  • Emotional Investing: Make decisions based on logic and research, not fear or greed.
  • Not adjusting your screens: The market changes, and your screens should too. Revisit your criteria regularly.

Finviz in 2025: What to Expect

While the core functionality of Finviz is likely to remain the same, expect to see:

  • Enhanced Data Visualization: Improved charts and graphs for easier data interpretation.
  • More Advanced Filtering Options: Potentially including AI-powered analysis and more sophisticated technical indicators.
  • Expanded Cryptocurrency Coverage: As crypto becomes more mainstream, Finviz may offer more comprehensive data and tools for crypto investors.
  • Integration with Other Platforms: Seamless integration with brokerage accounts and other financial tools.

Conclusion

The Finviz stock screener is a powerful tool for investors looking to improve their stock price prediction accuracy. By understanding its features, implementing effective screening strategies, and conducting thorough research, you can identify companies with the potential for growth and make more informed investment decisions. Remember that stock price prediction is inherently uncertain, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Use Finviz as a valuable resource, but always conduct your own due diligence and consult with a financial advisor before investing. Good luck!