An after-hours stock screener helps you find stocks that move after the markets close. We’re talking about tickers that make huge moves between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern.
You can spot great trading opportunities after the market closes. But there’s usually not much liquidity in after-hours, so you should be careful about trading then…
I have a saying which applies here — ‘Buy in pre, sell in pre.’ If you see a good trade, don’t push your luck and watch it crumble in the light of day.
More often, I’ll use an after-hours screener to build the next day’s watchlist. This extra-innings work could become your trading edge.
Which stock screeners are best for after-hours trading, and why do you need them? Let’s jump right in!
What Is an After-Hours Stock Screener?
An after-hours stock screener is a tool that scans for stocks after the market closes to find tickers that fit your trading strategy. It helps you find stocks moving in the after-hours session and gives you a handful of tickers that fit your criteria.
Once you identify these tickers, you’ll have a head-start on building tomorrow’s watchlist. Here’s a short video I recorded with my favorite after-hours stock screener showing you how it’s done!
What is a stock screener, and why do you need one? Check out my article about the basics of stock screeners to learn more.
Importance of Using an After-Hours Stock Screener
Using a stock screener for after-hours trading helps you identify which stocks fit your trading criteria. This gives you a handful of stocks that are worth placing on your watchlist. Once you have them on your watchlist, you can look into them further to identify potential trading opportunities.
We have a mentorship program that will show you how it’s done — Daily Income Trader. Join to take part in after-hours watchlist-building sessions, as well as various webinars, trading sessions, and more!
Unlock the market with Daily Income Trader — check it out right here!
Why Do You Need an After-Hours Stock Screener?
You need an after-hours stock screener to identify which stocks are moving after the market closes. This can be a huge help for your watchlist building.
Some of the biggest moves in low-float, heavily-shorted stocks happen after-hours. Here’s the screener I use after 4 p.m. to make sure I catch these moves!
Advantages of After-Hours Stock Screeners
The main advantage of an after-hours stock screener is that it helps you identify stocks to trade that fit your trading strategy. The work comes in designing your strategy — a good after-hours screener should be able to produce a list of stocks that match it in seconds.
After-hours stock screeners also save your scans, so you don’t have to remake them every day. You can just use whichever filter best suits your current strategy.
Different types of stock screeners are good for different types of trades. Check out my picks for the best chart pattern stock screeners and the best volatility stock screeners. I also have a list of the best overall stock screeners.
How We Evaluated These Best After-Hours Stock Screeners
There are lots of stock screeners out there, but not all of them are suitable for after-hours screening. Before making your pick, you gotta separate the wheat from the chaff.
It goes without saying that an after-hours stock screener needs to have after-hours scanning capabilities. Here are two criteria I use when picking after-hours stock screeners:
- Pricing: Most of the best after-hours stock screeners are paid apps. Find the one that fulfills your needs and suits your budget.
- Customizability: Stock screeners are only as good as their scanning criteria. The best screener platform should be customizable enough to cater to your trading needs.
These aren’t the only criteria you should use when choosing screeners, though. Check my guide to the best stock screener criteria to further refine your search.
Best After-Hours Stock Screeners for 2024
Here are my picks for the best after-hours stock screening tools:
- StocksToTrade — Best Overall After-Hours Stock Screener
- MarketWatch — Best Web-Based After-Hours Stock Screener
- Market Chameleon — Best After-Hours Stock Screener for Trading Reports
- Stock Analysis — Best Free After-Hours Stock Screener
- TradingView — Best After-Hours Stock Screener for Market Access
Nobody says you have to pick just one. Try them all and stick with the ones that work best for you!
1. StocksToTrade — Best Overall After-Hours Stock Screener
My first after-hours stock screener pick is StocksToTrade.
I use StocksToTrade every day, which is why it tops my list. It’s a powerful, insanely customizable screener that lets you build scans to identify the after-hours movers that fit your trading strategy and deserve your focus.
In addition to custom scans, you can use trader-built scans so you can trade like the pros. It also has a powerful news scanner that lets you identify events that might trigger price moves during after-hours trading sessions.
Take StocksToTrade for a spin and see why I can’t recommend it enough. Get a 14-day StocksToTrade trial for $7 today!
2. MarketWatch — Best Web-Based After-Hours Stock Screener
My second after-hours stock screener pick is MarketWatch.
MarketWatch is a web-based, lightweight stock screener that offers a simple after-hours scan featuring the leaders, laggards, and most active stocks of the after-hours session. It doesn’t have as many features as most of its peers, but it’s a great way to quickly screen for stocks on the web.
In addition to its after-hours screener, MarketWatch also has a dedicated premarket stock screener as well as a general-purpose market screener.
3. Market Chameleon — Best After-Hours Stock Screener for Trading Reports
My third after-hours stock screener pick is Market Chameleon.
Market Chameleon gives you a comprehensive after-hours stock report to help you make informed trading decisions. This report contains various pieces of information like your watchlist’s after-hour performance, the most active after-hours stocks, and more.
Its after-hours screener also provides you with useful additional info like news catalysts related to a company’s shares as well as details about its market capitalization.
4. Stock Analysis — Best Free After-Hours Stock Screener
My fourth after-hours stock screener pick is Stock Analysis.
Stock Analysis is a simple, no-frills web-based stock screener that gives you information on the movers, gainers, and losers after-hours. Best of all, it’s free. It’s a robust enough stock screener for daily use, even on its free plan.
However, you do get more value if you subscribe to the service. You’ll have access to more data, unlimited watchlists, and many more of this screener’s premium features.
5. TradingView — Best After-Hours Stock Screener for Market Access
My fifth after-hours stock screener pick is TradingView.
TradingView offers a robust after-hours screener that identifies the gainers, losers, and movers during after-hours trading.
TradingView makes diving deeper into these stocks easy thanks to the built-in filters that let you check out the tickers’ performance and other metrics on the same screen. All the information is presented in easy-to-navigate columns, so you can glean a lot of information in a short time.
TradingView is also a great choice if you want to branch out from American stocks. TradingView can screen for stocks from dozens of countries, making it a very useful tool if you’re trading internationally.
Final Thoughts
An after-hours stock screener helps you identify trading opportunities after the market closes, giving you an edge on 9-to-4 traders.
Not all stock screeners have after-hours functionality, though — be sure to thoroughly research your options before picking a screener.
Here’s another high-quality stock screener recommendation for you: millionaire trader Matt Monaco’s Alpha Scanner. Matt is a former software engineer, and he’s brought back his old skills to build a stock screener based on his profitable trading style.
The Alpha Scanner is packed full of live mentoring sessions, trade alerts, and so much more. Find out if Matt’s life’s work can be your trading edge…
Sign up for the next Alpha Scanner LIVE broadcast to learn more!
After Hours Stock Screeners FAQs
What Factors Influence After Hours Stock Movements?
After hours stock movements are significantly influenced by the outcomes of post-market session events such as first-quarter earnings announcements or political events. Stocks like AMC Entertainment or Nvidia-backed Recursion Pharmaceuticals have recently seen heightened trading volume due to their volatile nature and speculative interest, especially after disappointing or strong quarterly sales are reported. Investors should monitor post-market US stocks and biotech stocks closely, as these can rapidly change in value outside of regular trading hours based on news releases and market sentiment.
How Do Trading Volumes Impact Stocks After Regular Hours?
Trading volumes during after-hours sessions can provide critical insights into the potential movement of stocks the next trading day. Typically, stocks with substantial after-hours trading volume, such as meme stocks or high-profile tech stocks, might indicate upcoming price volatility based on investor reactions to news or earnings released after the regular trading session ends. It’s essential for investors to understand that lower liquidity during these times can lead to greater price fluctuation, which could affect investment strategies for both single stocks and stocks held by investment funds.
What Should Investors Consider Before Participating in After-Hours Trading?
Investors looking to engage in after-hours trading need to consider several factors: the increased financial risks associated with lower liquidity and wider spreads, their own risk appetite, and the importance of professional advice. Understanding these aspects is crucial, as the actual price of stocks can vary more dramatically than during regular hours. Additionally, tools like Rate Monitor and investment objectives should guide trading decisions to align with long-term financial goals.
How Do External Factors and Market Makers Influence After-Hours Trading?
External factors such as global political events or changes in financial markets can heavily influence after-hours trading. Market makers play a crucial role during these times by facilitating trades when trading volume might be lower than usual. This activity is particularly important in managing the flow of trades for stocks such as AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. during both regular and after-hours sessions. Understanding how these elements interact can help traders anticipate market movements and better position their portfolios.
Can Market Reports and Earnings Predict Movements in After-Hours Trading?
Market reports and earnings announcements are pivotal in shaping the trading landscape in after-hours markets. Upcoming earnings reports, especially from high-profile companies, can trigger significant shifts in stock prices, as seen with Array Technologies and other biotech stocks. Investors should pay close attention to post-market changes in stock prices and adjust their trading strategies based on the outcomes of these reports. Such strategic adjustments are essential for managing investments effectively in response to new financial information.
How Do Different Types of Stocks Behave in After-Hours Trading?
Common stocks and so-called meme stocks often exhibit distinct behaviors during after-hours trading, especially following significant market events like earnings reports or sector shifts. Meme stocks, in particular, can experience erratic price movements driven by social media hype and retail investor interest, whereas common stocks might follow more predictable patterns based on fundamental analyses. Stock indexes can provide a broader market overview, helping investors gauge general market sentiment during the post-market trading session.
What Should Investors Know About Financial Instruments and Trading Sessions?
Investors should understand the variety of financial instruments available for trading purposes, including stocks, bonds, and derivatives. Each instrument carries specific risks and benefits, particularly in after-hours trading, where liquidity and volatility differ from the regular session. Tools like the Post-market Chg % indicator can help investors assess the after-market performance of these instruments. Knowing when the post-market trading session occurs and how it differs from normal trading hours is crucial for making informed decisions.
How Do Special Trading Conditions Affect Stock Transactions?
Public offerings, Hours trades, and Form-T trades represent different facets of stock transactions that can influence market behavior. Public offerings might introduce new stocks to the market, affecting the share volume and price dynamics. Meanwhile, Hours trades and Form-T trades occur outside regular trading hours, including odd-lot trades which involve buying or selling fewer than the usual number of shares, potentially impacting the stock’s minimum share price due to differing investor participation levels.
What Are the Implications of Earnings Reports on After-Hours Trading?
Earnings reports, such as Disappointing Q1 Sales or Strong Q2 Sales, significantly impact stock prices during after-hours trading. These reports can trigger quick responses from the market, leading to a stock rally or decline based on the news. Investors using post-market US stocks as part of their portfolios should closely monitor pre-market trade data and adjust their positions accordingly to manage risks associated with sudden price changes.
Can Intellectual Property Rights Influence Stock Values in Financial Markets?
Intellectual property rights can play a crucial role in the valuation of companies, especially those involved in technology, biotechnology, and creative industries. Stocks of companies that announce significant developments in their intellectual property might see heightened activity in after/post-market trading sessions as investors react to the news. Understanding how these rights impact stock overview and investment funds’ strategies can provide a competitive edge in stocks trading.