Stock screening is the process of filtering a large universe of listed securities down to a manageable shortlist based on specific criteria. If you're new to the ASX, here's how screening works and why it matters.
What Is Stock Screening?
The ASX has over 2,200 listed securities. No individual can manually research every one. A stock screener applies quantitative filters — price, volume, market cap, financial ratios, technical indicators — to narrow the field to stocks that meet your specific criteria.
Think of it as a search engine for stocks. You define what you're looking for, and the screener returns matches.
Types of Screening Criteria
How SmallCapData Screens
SmallCapData's screener combines all six dimensions into a single composite score (0–100) for each stock. This multi-dimensional approach aims to surface tickers where technical setup, fundamentals, catalysts, and sentiment are aligning simultaneously — rather than relying on any single factor.
What Screening Is NOT
A screener is a filtering tool, not a crystal ball. A high score means a stock exhibits certain quantitative characteristics — it does not predict price direction. Screening narrows your research universe; it doesn't replace due diligence.
Getting Started
If you're new to ASX screening, start by understanding what each filter means before acting on any results. Read the methodology articles on this blog for deeper dives into RSI, MACD & Bollinger Bands, cash runway, and sentiment scoring.
Try the SmallCapData screener →