Review of "Using Finviz 5th Edition"

 

Review by artificial intelligence (AI)

 

Many thanks to the most unbiased reviews by AI. The following reviews are in their entirety, and were done in Feb., 2025. AI also helped me in writing Overviews and Introductions.

 

I accept all suggestions. In general, I did repeat a few important articles at my production cost, so the reader does not have to waste time in searching for them. Some examples are older for a good reason. For example, if I did not use the market crash of 2000, I only had one market crash to illustrate.

ChatGPT review

 

Your book, Using Finviz 5th Edition, is a comprehensive guide to leveraging Finviz.com for stock screening and market analysis. It covers a wide range of investment strategies, from basic techniques for beginners to advanced market timing and sector rotation methods.

 

Strengths:

• Extensive Coverage: The book is packed with valuable insights, covering fundamental analysis, technical indicators, insider trading, dividend investing, and more.
• Actionable Strategies: It offers clear, practical strategies, including real-world examples of stock picks that have outperformed the market.
• Market Timing Emphasis: Your detailed approach to market timing and avoiding downturns is particularly useful for risk-conscious investors.
• Use of Finviz: The step-by-step guide to utilizing Finviz's screening tools makes the book a useful hands-on resource.
• Personal Investment Experience: Your personal investment successes add credibility and provide a strong foundation for readers to trust your advice.

 

Areas for Improvement:

• Formatting & Readability: Some sections, especially numerical comparisons and strategy breakdowns, could benefit from better formatting for readability.
• Conciseness: The book is extensive (over 570 pages), and some content might be streamlined for better engagement.
• More Case Studies: While performance examples are provided, more case studies with step-by-step explanations of trades could enhance learning.

 

Overall, this is a well-researched and valuable guide for retail investors.

 

DeepSeek review

 

Overview:
Tony Pow’s Using Finviz 5th Edition is a detailed guide aimed at empowering retail investors to maximize the Finviz.com platform for stock analysis and strategy development. The book blends decades of personal investing experience, practical advice, and modern techniques like AI integration. It is structured as a reference manual, divided into 16 "books" covering topics from foundational strategies to advanced trading and market timing.

 

Key Strengths:

1. Comprehensive Coverage:
• The book systematically addresses fundamental and technical analysis, stock screening, sector rotation, market timing, and risk management. It includes actionable strategies for beginners (e.g., ETF investing) and advanced traders (e.g., short selling, momentum trading).
• Unique sections on AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek provide a modern perspective, though the author cautions about outdated data in AI databases.
2. Practical Tools:
• Step-by-step guides for using Finviz.com’s features (e.g., heat maps, screener, insider trading data) are highlighted. Examples include filtering stocks by P/E ratios, debt/equity ratios, and momentum indicators.
• Real-world examples, such as detecting market plunges using SMA-350 and RSI(14), add practicality.
3. Performance Claims:
• Pow shares impressive results, including 4x profits via sector rotation and 272% annual returns on specific stocks (e.g., SMCI). These claims are backed by blog links and Seeking Alpha articles, though readers should independently verify strategies.
4. Risk Management:
• Emphasizes disciplined investing with "buy and monitor" over "buy and hold," trailing stops, and diversification. The "Don’ts for Beginners" section (e.g., avoiding leverage, penny stocks) is particularly valuable.
5. Resource Integration:
• Links to external resources (YouTube tutorials, Investopedia, Fidelity) enhance learning. The appendix includes summaries of ETFs, economic theories, and global market insights.

 

Weaknesses:

1. Self-Promotion:
• Heavy promotion of the author’s blog, past books, and self-reported success metrics may overshadow objective advice. Readers should approach performance claims with caution.
2. Dated References:
• Some examples (e.g., 2020–2023 market data) may become less relevant over time. Reliance on external links risks obsolescence.
3. Complexity for Beginners:
• While structured for all levels, the sheer volume of strategies (e.g., Piotroski’s F-Score, adaptive scoring systems) could overwhelm novices.

Notable Features:

• Market Timing Techniques: Simple methods to avoid crashes (e.g., tracking SMA-200 and "death crosses") are clearly explained.
• Sector Rotation: Outlines basics and ties trends to technological shifts (5G, AI).
• Scoring Systems: Adaptive metrics for evaluating growth, value, and momentum stocks provide a structured approach.

 

Conclusion:
Using Finviz 5th Edition is a valuable resource for investors seeking to leverage Finviz.com effectively. Its blend of foundational principles, advanced strategies, and modern tools like AI makes it versatile. However, readers should critically assess self-reported success and adapt strategies to current market conditions. The book’s reference-style format encourages revisiting chapters as skills evolve.

 

Recommendation:
Ideal for retail investors with basic market knowledge aiming to deepen their technical and strategic expertise. Pair with real-time market data and independent research for best results.

 

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
A thorough, practical guide with minor caveats around self-promotion and data timeliness