Stock screener settings Reddit asks about: free screens that work
A useful screen starts with liquidity, then adds the setup. Require a minimum price and average volume first, so you only see stocks you can trade cleanly. Then add the signal: relative volume above 2 for movers, a gap above 3% for gap plays, or price near a 52-week high for breakouts.
Three starter screens
Movers: price above $5, average volume above 1 million shares, relative volume above 2.
Gap plays: the same liquidity filter, plus a gap of more than 3% from yesterday's close, checked before the open.
Breakouts: price within 3% of the 52-week high, above its 50-day average, with rising volume.
Why screens find junk
Without a liquidity filter, the biggest percentage movers are usually thin, low-priced stocks with wide spreads. They look exciting on a screen and are hard to exit. Liquidity first, signal second.
Questions
- What is relative volume?
- Today's volume compared with its usual volume at the same point in the day. Above 2 means twice the normal activity.
- What is the best free stock screener?
- One that lets you filter on liquidity and relative volume and save the screen. Obelion's screener is free to start.
- Should I screen before the open?
- For gap plays, yes. For intraday movers, run it again after the first 15 to 30 minutes, when relative volume settles.
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For education only, not financial advice. See the disclaimer.