Stock research.
Practical guides.
Simple explanations. Practical steps. Start where you are.
99 guides
How to choose a stock screener for your research
Compare stock screeners by research style, market coverage, daily or intraday timing, filter logic, charting, access terms and a repeatable workflow.
Build your first stock screen
Turn an idea into a watchlist with a few clear filters or a CleverScan template.
Choose filters that answer your question
Understand how company, price, volume, and technical filters work together.
Write a custom stock scan with CleverScan
Write a stock idea as CleverScan rules, check them, run the scan, and refine the conditions.
Read a stock chart with context
Get comfortable with daily candles, the visible range, and volume.
Use moving averages in chart research
Compare price with an average while keeping the period and available history in mind.
Put stock volume in context
Read trading activity alongside price, dates, and the surrounding sessions.
Read the Sector Heatmap · S&P 500
Move from the colors of S&P 500 sectors and stocks to a clear research question.
Compare sectors, industries, and stocks
Move from a sector to its industries and stocks without losing the session date or the comparison period.
Save a scan you can use again
Keep your research rules together and rerun them with a clear purpose.
Share the rules behind a stock scan
Create a public query link that lets someone see what you screened for.
Run a scan for an earlier session
Choose a date and understand which parts of the result use available history.
Create a watchlist you will use
Keep a focused set of stocks ready for your next research session.
Use earnings dates in your research
Connect company event dates with chart and watchlist reviews while the Earnings Calendar is coming soon.
Build a simple market research routine
Move from the market overview to a focused watchlist and a useful watchlist.
Understand market data dates and calculations
Read the data notes that give a chart, scan, or market table its meaning.
Take a closer look at a stock
Connect company details, a daily chart, and market context in a clear research flow.
Compare several stock charts at once
Use Symbol Comparison to review a watchlist before opening a full chart.
Set up a research alert
Choose a supported condition and check monitoring readiness before using the alert inbox.
Relative strength index (RSI): calculation and how to read it
How RSI is calculated with Wilder smoothing, a worked 14-session example, overbought and oversold readings, divergence, edge cases and limitations.
MACD explained: calculation, crossovers and divergence
How MACD is built from 12- and 26-session EMAs, a worked example with the signal line and histogram, crossovers, divergence, PPO and limitations.
Average true range (ATR): calculation and how to read it
How to calculate true range and ATR with Wilder smoothing, a worked 14-session example, ATR as a percentage of price, and what ATR cannot tell you.
Bollinger Bands: calculation, %B, BandWidth and the squeeze
How Bollinger Bands are built from a 20-session average and standard deviation, with a worked example, %B, BandWidth, the squeeze and the limits of the bands.
On-balance volume (OBV): calculation and how to read it
How on-balance volume adds and subtracts daily volume, with a worked example, trend confirmation, divergence, breakouts, gaps and the limits of OBV.
Stochastic oscillator: %K, %D and how to read them
How the stochastic oscillator’s %K and %D are calculated, fast and slow versions, a worked crossover example, overbought and oversold levels and limits.
Average directional index (ADX): calculation and reading
How ADX is calculated from directional movement and true range, a worked example of +DI, −DI and DX, how to read trend strength, and the limits of ADX.
Accumulation/Distribution Line: Formula and How to Read It
How the accumulation/distribution line weighs each session’s volume by where the close sits in its range, with a worked example, gap effects and limits.
Anchored VWAP: How to Calculate and Use It on Stock Charts
Anchored VWAP averages price, weighted by volume, from a chosen session. Learn the formula, the data it needs, a daily-bar approximation and its limits.
Aroon Indicator: Aroon Up, Aroon Down and the Oscillator
The Aroon indicator counts the sessions since the latest high and low in a lookback window. See the formulas, a worked example, crossovers and limits.
Awesome Oscillator: Calculation, Colors and Zero Line
The Awesome Oscillator subtracts a 34-session average of median price from a 5-session one. Learn the calculation, bar colors, saucers and twin peaks.
Chaikin Money Flow (CMF): Calculation and How to Read It
Chaikin Money Flow sums money flow volume over 21 sessions and divides by volume. See accumulation and distribution examples, the zero line and limits.
Chaikin Oscillator: Calculation, Zero Line and Divergence
The Chaikin oscillator is the 3-session EMA of the accumulation/distribution line minus its 10-session EMA. Learn the math, crossovers and limits.
Commodity Channel Index (CCI): Calculation and Reading
The commodity channel index compares typical price with its average, scaled by mean deviation. See the CCI formula, a worked example, the ±100 lines and limits.
Force Index: Price and Volume Calculation and How to Read It
The force index multiplies each session’s price change by its volume. Learn Elder’s formula, 2- and 13-session smoothing, the zero line and its limits.
Hull Moving Average (HMA): How to Calculate and Use It
The Hull moving average combines weighted averages to cut lag. Learn the formula, rounding rules, a worked example, chart use and sideways-market limits.
Money Flow Index (MFI): calculation and chart reading
How the Money Flow Index weighs typical price by volume, how to calculate a 14-session MFI step by step, and how to read its divergences and limits.
Moving average envelope: calculation and chart use
How a moving average envelope sets bands a fixed percentage above and below an SMA, how to calculate and read it, and why sideways markets can mislead it.
Rate of change (ROC) indicator: formula and chart reading
How the rate of change indicator measures the percent change in price over a set number of sessions, with a worked example, zero line, divergence and limits.
TRIX indicator: triple smoothing, signal line and zero line
How the TRIX indicator smooths closes with three EMAs and reports the one-session percent change, with a worked example, crossovers, divergence and limits.
Ultimate Oscillator: calculation, divergences and limits
How Larry Williams’ Ultimate Oscillator blends buying pressure over 7, 14 and 28 sessions, with a worked calculation, divergence rules and its limitations.
Volume weighted average price (VWAP): how it works
How VWAP weights each trade’s price by volume from the session open, how to calculate it, why daily bars only approximate it, and how it differs from averages.
Vortex indicator: calculation, crossovers and whipsaws
How the Vortex indicator compares upward and downward price movement with true range over 14 sessions, with a worked example, crossovers, whipsaws and limits.
Weighted moving average (WMA): formula and chart use
How a weighted moving average gives linearly larger weights to recent closes, how to calculate it, how it compares with SMA and EMA, and its sideways limits.
Williams %R: calculation, levels and chart reading
How Williams %R places the close within the recent high-low range on a 0 to −100 scale, with a worked 14-session example, levels and its tie to the stochastic.
Ascending triangle pattern: geometry, confirmation and failure
Study the ascending triangle with original charts, exact boundary and volume examples, its confirmation rule, failure case and related formations.
Descending triangle pattern: geometry, confirmation and failure
Study the descending triangle with original charts, exact boundary and volume examples, its confirmation rule, failure case and related formations.
Symmetrical triangle pattern: geometry, confirmation and failure
Study the symmetrical triangle with original charts, exact boundary and volume examples, its confirmation rule, failure case and related formations.
Rectangle pattern: geometry, confirmation and failure
Study the rectangle with original charts, exact boundary and volume examples, its confirmation rule, failure case and related formations.
Rising wedge pattern: geometry, confirmation and failure
Study the rising wedge with original charts, exact boundary and volume examples, its confirmation rule, failure case and related formations.
Falling wedge pattern: geometry, confirmation and failure
Study the falling wedge with original charts, exact boundary and volume examples, its confirmation rule, failure case and related formations.
Bull flag pattern: geometry, confirmation and failure
Study the bull flag with original charts, exact boundary and volume examples, its confirmation rule, failure case and related formations.
Bear flag pattern: geometry, confirmation and failure
Study the bear flag with original charts, exact boundary and volume examples, its confirmation rule, failure case and related formations.
Bull pennant pattern: geometry, confirmation and failure
Study the bull pennant with original charts, exact boundary and volume examples, its confirmation rule, failure case and related formations.
Bear pennant pattern: geometry, confirmation and failure
Study the bear pennant with original charts, exact boundary and volume examples, its confirmation rule, failure case and related formations.
Double bottom pattern: confirmation and failure explained
Read a double bottom using original hypothetical charts, its trend context, exact confirmation boundary, volume example and invalidation case.
Double top pattern: confirmation and failure explained
Read a double top using original hypothetical charts, its trend context, exact confirmation boundary, volume example and invalidation case.
Triple bottom pattern: confirmation and failure explained
Read a triple bottom using original hypothetical charts, its trend context, exact confirmation boundary, volume example and invalidation case.
Triple top pattern: confirmation and failure explained
Read a triple top using original hypothetical charts, its trend context, exact confirmation boundary, volume example and invalidation case.
Head and shoulders pattern: confirmation and failure explained
Read a head and shoulders using original hypothetical charts, its trend context, exact confirmation boundary, volume example and invalidation case.
Inverse head and shoulders pattern: confirmation and failure explained
Read a inverse head and shoulders using original hypothetical charts, its trend context, exact confirmation boundary, volume example and invalidation case.
Cup and handle pattern: confirmation and failure explained
Read a cup and handle using original hypothetical charts, its trend context, exact confirmation boundary, volume example and invalidation case.
Inverse cup and handle pattern: confirmation and failure explained
Read a inverse cup and handle using original hypothetical charts, its trend context, exact confirmation boundary, volume example and invalidation case.
Rounding bottom pattern: confirmation and failure explained
Read a rounding bottom using original hypothetical charts, its trend context, exact confirmation boundary, volume example and invalidation case.
Rounding top pattern: confirmation and failure explained
Read a rounding top using original hypothetical charts, its trend context, exact confirmation boundary, volume example and invalidation case.
Candlestick patterns: how to read candles and common patterns
Read candlesticks from open, high, low and close, then learn doji, engulfing, harami, star and three-candle patterns and why each needs confirmation.
Bullish engulfing candlestick pattern: rules and confirmation
What a bullish engulfing pattern is, how to identify it, the decline it needs, how the next close confirms it, what volume adds and how it can fail.
Bearish engulfing candlestick pattern: rules and confirmation
Learn what a bearish engulfing pattern is, the two-candle rule after an advance, how a lower close confirms it, what volume shows and when it fails.
Hammer candlestick pattern: rules, context and confirmation
How to identify a hammer candle: a long lower wick after a decline, the hanging man difference, confirmation by the next close, volume and failures.
Shooting star candlestick pattern: rules and confirmation
How to identify a shooting star: a long upper wick after an advance, how it differs from an inverted hammer, confirmation, volume and failure examples.
Morning star candlestick pattern: three-candle rules explained
What a morning star is, how to identify its three candles, the decline it needs, how to confirm it, what volume shows and how the pattern can fail.
Island reversal pattern: gaps, confirmation and failures
What an island reversal is, how to identify the two gaps that isolate it, how to confirm a top or bottom island, what volume shows and how islands fail.
Diamond top pattern: shape, confirmation and volume
What a diamond top is, how to identify its widening then narrowing swings, how a close below the lower-right line confirms it, volume and failures.
Diamond bottom pattern: shape, confirmation and volume
What a diamond bottom is, how to identify its widening then narrowing swings after a decline, how to confirm the breakout, volume and failure examples.
Breakouts and pullbacks: entries, retests and failures
Define a stock breakout as a close above a level set in advance, judge retests and pullbacks in an uptrend, and recognize a failed breakout early.
Compare technical indicators and avoid redundant ones
Compare trend, momentum, volatility and volume indicators by input, lookback and failure mode, and keep only indicators that answer different questions.
Stock market structure: swing points, trends and ranges
Read stock market structure from price alone: swing highs and lows, higher highs and lower lows, trading ranges, channels and the rules they lead to.
Stock price gaps: gap ups, gap downs and gap fills
How a stock gap up or gap down is measured, how breakaway, runaway and exhaustion gaps differ, and what it means when a gap is filled.
How to backtest a stock strategy and avoid common biases
Separate a historical scan from a performance backtest, avoid look-ahead bias, survivorship bias and overfitting, count costs and test out of sample.
Volume profile for stocks: volume at price explained
How a volume profile counts the shares traded at each price, what the point of control and the value area mean, and what daily bars can and cannot show.
Support, resistance and trendlines on stock charts
Draw support and resistance levels from swing points and prior highs, validate a trendline with a third touch, and tell a line break from a reversal.
Position sizing for stock trades: a worked calculation
Calculate a stock position size from account risk and risk per share, with whole-share rounding, ATR stops, costs, gap risk and concentration checks.
Stop-loss and profit target calculations for stocks
Place stop-loss and profit target levels from invalidation, percentages or ATR, see why stop orders can fill below the stop, and calculate trailing stops.
Trade expectancy and drawdown: calculations with examples
Work out trade expectancy in dollars and R, breakeven win percentages, the drag of commissions and slippage, and maximum drawdown from an equity table.
Trading journal and trade plan: a template and checklist
Plan a stock trade before entry, document the thesis, track trades in a journal template with R multiples, and review losing trades on a fixed schedule.
How to screen for unusual volume
Build a reproducible screen for unusual volume: choose a universe, define field units and thresholds, compare presets and inspect the matching daily charts.
How to screen for moving-average conditions
Build a reproducible screen for moving-average conditions: choose a universe, define field units and thresholds, compare presets and inspect the matching daily charts.
How to screen for breakout candidates
Build a reproducible screen for breakout candidates: choose a universe, define field units and thresholds, compare presets and inspect the matching daily charts.
How to screen for consolidations and pullbacks
Build a reproducible screen for consolidations and pullbacks: choose a universe, define field units and thresholds, compare presets and inspect the matching daily charts.
How to screen for stocks near highs and lows
Build a reproducible screen for stocks near highs and lows: choose a universe, define field units and thresholds, compare presets and inspect the matching daily charts.
How to screen for trending stocks
Build a reproducible screen for trending stocks: choose a universe, define field units and thresholds, compare presets and inspect the matching daily charts.
How to screen for low-volatility stocks
Build a reproducible screen for low-volatility stocks: choose a universe, define field units and thresholds, compare presets and inspect the matching daily charts.
How to screen for market-cap and price groups
Build a reproducible screen for market-cap and price groups: choose a universe, define field units and thresholds, compare presets and inspect the matching daily charts.
ChartMill stock screener review: plans, data and fit
An independent look at the ChartMill stock screener: technical and fundamental filters, reports, alerts, data timing, plan prices and who it suits.
Finviz stock screener review: Free vs Elite and pricing
How the Finviz stock screener works, what the Free tier and Elite include, current Elite prices, trial and refund terms, limits and alternatives.
Stock Rover review: screener, plans and pricing explained
A neutral look at Stock Rover: fundamental screening, plan limits, the Free plan and 14-day trial, current prices, trade-offs and alternatives to compare.
StockCharts review: screener, scan workbench and pricing
An independent StockCharts review: the Screener and Advanced Scan Workbench, alerts, data plans, service level prices, the free trial and alternatives.
StocksToTrade review: scanner, pricing and trial
What StocksToTrade offers active traders: real-time scanners, charts and news in installed software, subscription considerations, trial terms and alternatives.
Trade Ideas review: real-time scanner, plans and pricing
How Trade Ideas handles real-time scanning: alert windows, formulas, OddsMaker backtests, Standard and Premium prices, Test Drives and alternatives.
TrendSpider review: scanner, backtesting and pricing
An independent TrendSpider review: multi-timeframe scanning, the Strategy Tester, alerts and bots, plan limits, paid trial fees, prices and alternatives.
Put a guide to work: the stock screens run the rules these guides explain, and the company research pages apply them to one stock.
Your next idea starts here.
Build a scan with filters or CleverScan rules. Explore the results. Find your next idea.