Stock Investing For Dummies, 6th Edition

Chapter 16

Discovering Screening Tools

IN THIS CHAPTER

Beginning with the basics of screening tools

Locating stocks with stock screeners

Finding exchange-traded funds with an ETF screener

When you’re spanning the stock-investing world, it can be daunting to see literally thousands of stocks to choose from — and that’s just the U.S. stock markets. Many thousands more are across the global stock market realm. Where would a stock investor (especially a novice investor) begin to look?

Well, you’re doing the right thing by first reading a book like this (thank you and, uh, you’re welcome!). Why? Because a book like this gives you some parameters and guidelines to help you make a sound choice among the companies that are available as publicly traded stocks. As I often emphasize, you may be purchasing a stock, but you’re really investing in a company. That company has financial data and other information that you can review and use to narrow your search by keeping to some definable (and searchable) standards.

This is why I love stock screening tools! A stock screening tool is an online program found on many financial websites and brokerage sites that sifts through tons of stocks and their ...