Write the selection question, read the exact rule and inspect both matching and excluded cases before saving the screen.
Write a selection question
Choose whether you want small average true ranges or low variability of daily returns. Low-volatility and defensive-business research are separate questions. A quiet price series does not establish resilient earnings or protection from an event gap.
Read field units and lookback periods
ATR percent divides ATR(14) by the close and multiplies by 100. ATR of 1.5 against close 100 gives 1.5%. The historical-volatility variant uses volM1Pct, the standard deviation of daily percentage returns over 21 sessions, without annualization. Its threshold of 1 means one percentage point, a different measure from ATR percent.
Compare another question before combining rules
Start with the low-ATR preset, then compare the historical-volatility variant. High, low, rising and falling volatility rules name different selections. A narrow-range candle is only one daily observation, while ATR smooths several sessions.
securityType = "Stock" and indexMembership contains "SP500" and (volM1Pct <= 1)Inspect a match and a boundary exclusion
Check scheduled events, gaps and liquidity, then compare the dollar range as well as the percentage. A low average can precede a large move. Keep risk per share and position size separate from the screen threshold.
Change one condition at a time and compare a row just inside the threshold with one just outside it. A zero-match result means the selected population did not meet the whole rule for that session; it is not a reason to silently change the question.
Save a reproducible research definition
Save the expression through the editor’s Library workflow. Record the selected session, population and sort so a later run can be compared meaningfully. A saved scan preserves rules, while a watchlist preserves symbols; their results can change independently.
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Read our data and methodology notes for calculation context. This guide explains research tools and observations. It does not recommend a trade or investment.