How To Set Up And Use Finviz Canada And UK Versions

Finviz is a powerful, free (with a premium option) web-based platform used by traders and investors to screen stocks, analyze market trends, and visualize financial data. While Finviz.com is the primary domain, many users specifically want to access data relevant to Canadian (Finviz Canada) and UK (Finviz UK) markets. The challenge is that Finviz doesn't offer dedicated "Finviz Canada" or "Finviz UK" websites. Instead, you need to leverage Finviz's filtering and screening capabilities to focus on these specific regions.

This guide will walk you through how to effectively use Finviz to analyze Canadian and UK stocks, covering everything from setting up your filters to understanding the key features for each market. We'll break down the process into simple, actionable steps, ensuring you can quickly access the information you need to make informed investment decisions.

Let's dive in and unlock the potential of Finviz for your Canadian and UK stock analysis!

1. Understanding Finviz's Screening Capabilities

Before we get into the specifics of Canada and the UK, it's crucial to understand Finviz's core functionality: the stock screener. This tool allows you to filter stocks based on a wide range of criteria, including:

  • Descriptive: Market capitalization, sector, industry, country.
  • Fundamental: P/E ratio, EPS growth, dividend yield, debt/equity ratio.
  • Technical: Price, volume, moving averages, RSI, MACD.

The key to using Finviz for Canadian and UK stocks lies in effectively utilizing the "Country" filter within the screener.

2. Setting Up Your Finviz Canada Screen

Here's how to configure Finviz to focus on Canadian stocks:

  • Step 1: Access the Screener: Go to Finviz.com and click on the "Screener" tab.
  • Step 2: Descriptive Filters: Under the "Descriptive" tab, locate the "Country" dropdown menu.
  • Step 3: Select "Canada": Choose "Canada" from the dropdown list.

That's it! Finviz will now display only stocks listed on Canadian exchanges. You can further refine your search by adding other filters based on your investment strategy. For example, you might want to screen for Canadian companies with a market capitalization above $1 billion and a P/E ratio below 20.

Tips for Finviz Canada:

  • Exchange Listings: Be aware that some Canadian companies may also be listed on US exchanges. Finviz will show these listings as well. If you want to focus solely on stocks listed on Canadian exchanges like the TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange) or TSX Venture Exchange, you might need to cross-reference with other sources.
  • Sector Focus: Canada's economy is heavily influenced by resources. Consider using the "Sector" filter to focus on specific industries like Energy, Materials, or Financials.
  • News and Headlines: Pay attention to the news headlines displayed alongside the stock listings. These can provide valuable insights into company performance and market sentiment.

3. Setting Up Your Finviz UK Screen

The process for filtering for UK stocks is very similar to the Canadian setup:

  • Step 1: Access the Screener: Go to Finviz.com and click on the "Screener" tab.
  • Step 2: Descriptive Filters: Under the "Descriptive" tab, locate the "Country" dropdown menu.
  • Step 3: Select "UK": Choose "UK" (United Kingdom) from the dropdown list.

Now, Finviz will display only stocks listed on UK exchanges. Again, you can add further filters to narrow down your search based on your investment criteria.

Tips for Finviz UK:

  • FTSE Indices: The FTSE 100 is the primary index for the UK stock market. Consider using Finviz to screen stocks within the FTSE 100. You can't directly filter by FTSE 100 membership on Finviz, but you can use other resources to identify FTSE 100 companies and then search for them individually on Finviz or create a custom watchlist.
  • Currency Considerations: Be mindful of currency fluctuations between the British Pound (GBP) and your local currency. Currency movements can impact the returns on your UK investments.
  • Economic News: Stay informed about UK economic news and events, as these can significantly impact the stock market.

4. Beyond the Screener: Other Useful Finviz Features

While the screener is the most powerful tool for filtering by country, Finviz offers other features that can be helpful for analyzing Canadian and UK stocks:

  • Maps: The "Maps" section provides a visual representation of market performance. While it doesn't allow you to filter specifically by country, it can give you a general overview of sector performance in different regions.
  • Groups: The "Groups" section allows you to compare the performance of different sectors and industries. This can be useful for identifying trends in the Canadian or UK markets.
  • News: The "News" section aggregates news articles from various sources. You can use the search function to find news related to specific Canadian or UK companies.
  • Portfolio: The "Portfolio" feature allows you to track the performance of your investments. You can add Canadian and UK stocks to your portfolio to monitor their performance.

5. Limitations and Considerations

While Finviz is a valuable tool, it's important to be aware of its limitations:

  • Data Coverage: Finviz's data coverage for Canadian and UK markets may not be as comprehensive as for US markets. Some smaller companies or less liquid stocks may not be included.
  • Exchange Specificity: As mentioned earlier, Finviz doesn't allow you to filter specifically by exchange (e.g., TSX, LSE). You may need to cross-reference with other sources to ensure you're only looking at stocks listed on the exchanges you're interested in.
  • Real-Time Data: Finviz provides delayed data for free users. If you require real-time data, you'll need to subscribe to Finviz Elite.
  • Fundamental Data Accuracy: Always verify the fundamental data provided by Finviz with other sources, such as company filings or financial statements.

6. Combining Finviz with Other Resources

For a more comprehensive analysis of Canadian and UK stocks, it's recommended to combine Finviz with other resources, such as:

  • Company Websites: Visit the websites of the companies you're interested in to access their financial statements, investor presentations, and news releases.
  • Financial News Websites: Stay informed about market news and analysis from reputable financial news websites.
  • Brokerage Platforms: Utilize the research tools and analysis provided by your brokerage platform.
  • Regulatory Filings: Access regulatory filings from SEDAR (Canada) and the London Stock Exchange (UK) for detailed information about companies.

Conclusion

While Finviz doesn't offer dedicated "Finviz Canada" or "Finviz UK" versions, its powerful screening capabilities allow you to effectively filter for stocks listed in these countries. By understanding how to use the "Country" filter and leveraging other Finviz features, you can gain valuable insights into the Canadian and UK stock markets. Remember to be aware of the limitations of the platform and combine it with other resources for a more comprehensive analysis. Happy investing!