Stock Trading
Aug. 26, 20244 min read

Swing Trading Stock Screener

Tim BohenAvatar
Written by Tim Bohen

A swing trading stock screener is a vital tool for traders aiming to capitalize on short- to medium-term price movements. I use the one in StocksToTrade — it has all the screening tools and customization options that swing traders like me look for to build watchlists of swing trades with the highest potential.

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To find watch-worthy swing trading stocks under $50, I input the following criteria:

  • Last Price ≤ $50
  • Last Price ≥ $5
  • 10-Day Average Volume ≥ 100,000
  • 10-Day Percentage Change ≥ 10%

When I run this screen and sort by today’s biggest gainers, it gives me the following top quotes:

Swing Trading Screener FAQs

Which screener is best for swing trading?

The best stock screeners for swing trading align with your trading style and the specific stocks you want to trade. Popular options like Trade Ideas, Finviz, and screeners from platforms like Interactive Brokers and E-Trade offer a variety of customizable features, including real-time alerts and automated trading options. It’s essential to choose a screener that offers the filters and tools you need, whether you’re focused on technical indicators and chart patterns, market capitalization, volume, growth, value metrics, or a combination. 

For swing traders, day traders and investors alike, selecting a user-friendly screener with dynamic charts, wide-ranging news scanners that pick up earnings and other companies’ results, and deep fundamental and technical indicators like support and resistance and levels 1 and 2 data can make your screens pay dividends.

How to scan for stocks for swing trading?

Scanning for stocks for swing trading involves setting up specific criteria in your screener that match your strategy, such as focusing on momentum stocks and ETFs, high volatility, or breakouts. By filtering stocks based on key indicators like price, volume, and technical patterns, you can generate a list of potential trades that align with your swing trading goals. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your screening criteria based on market conditions is crucial to staying relevant and improving your trade selection. As you gain experience, you’ll become more adept at fine-tuning your scans to better match the current market environment.

What is the best indicator for swing trading?

There isn’t a single best indicator for swing trading; it depends on how well the indicator aligns with your strategy. Commonly used indicators include moving averages, RSI, and MACD, which help identify trends, overbought or oversold conditions, and potential reversals. Moving averages are often used to gauge trend direction, RSI to spot reversal points, and MACD to signal momentum changes. Combining multiple indicators can provide a more comprehensive analysis, reducing false signals and increasing confidence in your trades. Over time, you’ll find which indicators work best for your specific trading approach.

What is the most successful stock screener?

The most successful stock screener is one that consistently helps you find profitable trading opportunities based on your strategy. Tools like StocksToTrade and screeners available on top day trading brokers are popular because they offer customizable filters, portfolio tracking, access to major stock exchanges like Nasdaq as well the OTC markets, and real-time data. It should be accessible to beginners as well as all types and strengths of stock traders. 

A premium screener will provide the ability to save and refine screening criteria, set alerts, and adapt to changing market conditions. Ultimately, the effectiveness of a screener comes from how well you integrate it into your overall trading plan, using it as a tool to complement your research and analysis for well-informed investments and trading decisions.