What is the difference between a Screen and a Filter?
Nothing. The names are interchangeable.
Can I use the Stock Screener to find a specific stock?
Yes. You can search by company name or stock ticker symbol. After you enter the name or ticker, you may select various screening criteria or go directly to the bottom of the page and click "Screen."
The Timeliness ranks in your pdf-formatted reports on companies are often different than those in the Value Line Stock Screener. I find this confusing. Can you tell me why they are not the same?
Yes. It is a question of timing. Our full-page company reports are updated once every three months on a regular cycle. The Timeliness ranks that appear in those reports are the ones that were current when the report was printed. (You can find a date in the lower right corner at the end of the analytical text.)
The Stock Screener (and the Summary & Index), on the other hand, is updated every week and includes the very latest ranks. If there has been a change in rank since the full report was revised, the new rank will be included in the Screener, and it will be different than the one in the company report.
To find the most recent Timeliness (or Safety or Technical) rank, be sure to look at the lastest information. You can always find it in the Stock Screener or in the Summary & Index.
Do I need to select all the ranks in order to run my filter?
No. You can select as many or few as you want. You may also select any number of the data items provided in "Additional Stock Information."
I have my own set of filters that I would like to start with. How should I begin?
All you need to do is select the fields and values you want for your filter. When you have made the selections, go to the bottom of the page and click "Search."
I would like to save my sorting criteria without having to input them every time I screen for stocks. How do I do this?
First, select the criteria you want by clicking on the Ranks and/or selecting Fields and entering values. To save these, go to "Save Screen As" at the top of the page and follow the directions. The criteria must be saved as a text file. To retrieve the file, click on "Browse" and open the file you saved.
I want to create a list of stocks that I routinely monitor and do various screens on this list. How can I do this?
This is the much the same as saving criteria. First, type a list of the tickers in the Ticker Symbol(s) box. Then, click on "Save Screen As" at the top of the page. Name and save your file, being sure to save it as a text file. To retrieve the file, click on "Browse" and open the file you saved.
I keep coming up with zero results. Why is that?
You have entered too many criteria or you are using values that are too narrow. Try removing some criteria or making the band of values from minimum or maximum wider.
What are the "Preset Screens?"
These are filters created by Value Line editors. They are designed to serve as starting points for doing your own research. If you want, you can actually screen on the Preset Filters. For example, you can start with the list of the 40 Best Performing Stocks and then screen that list for stocks selling at price/earnings ratios of less than 15.
Note: If you wish to filter on the entire database you must leave "All" selected.
After filtering, I want to organize my own list of columns for display. How can I do this?
You can pick (edit) the columns you want and save them if you want so that you will have them for future screens. Go to "click here to edit display options" at the bottom of the page. Here you will be able to add or remove columns. You can then save the new format by clicking on "Save." If you want to return to the standard format, uncheck the box titled "Always use saved displayed columns in result window."
You can also select "Java Based-Applet" if you are more comfortable using Java from Sun Microsystems. Otherwise, leave this unchecked.
Why are there two selections under "Additional Stock Information?"
The one on the left is for use with Java. The other is for other browsers.
Can I export the results of a screen as a .csv file?
Yes. After you have completed a filter, you will be given the option of exporting the files.
If one of my filters is a field that includes a % sign, do I need to enter the % sign in the minimum or maximum boxes?
No. It is not necessary. Just enter the numeric value.
Are the pages "printer friendly?"
Yes. When you have completed a screen, click on "print friendly." This will give you a page that you can print out.