ShareScope (a trademark of London
based Ionic information) is a fully customizable trading and investment
analysis and portfolio management software which comes complete with an
extensive range of fundamental and technical analysis functions along
with deep data mining capabilities. This is a very affordable, award
winning subscription based software package which also comes complete
with data feed from multiple exchanges covering a huge range
of assets at no extra cost. For most private investors the end of day
(EOD) entry subscription level will more than meet their requirements
and is priced at a little over £18 per month with an anual subscription.
SharePad can be used on iPads, Macs
and PCs ShareScope is for use in Windows PCs only. There is more
financial data available in SharePad but technical traders will find a
wider selection of charting tools in ShareScope.
Successful financial market
participants
have time and again proven
their ability to monitor and churn their investment portfolio at the
right time. However, it is not as daunting a task as one may believe
when you have access to the right tools and up-to-date, accurate
information.
This is why the proper selection and
use of a good
portfolio management, charting and data analysis software package can
be so important and can save you hours of wasted time spent trawling
through the web trying to research the market that you are
interested in. Even then, the information you find may not be quite as
accurate as the way it is presented to you might indicate.
Shares
Magazine: Best Investment Software 2002 - 2015 (fourteen
years running!)
MoneyWeek:
Best Investment Software Provider 2014
Investors
Chronicle: Best Investment Data Provider 2014 - 2015, Best
Investment Software 2002 - 2014 (twelve awards!), Best level 2 Data
Provider 2008
How ShareScope
Can Help Transform Your Trading Video
Once
an investor gets accustomed to the capabilities of the ShareScope
software functions, data analysis becomes a routine and fairly quick
and simple task. Here
is an overview of some of the key functions but the YouTube video below
also offers a very good introduction in order to quickly understand
some of the key features of the software:
ShareScope
Key Features
The
layout is fully customisable with a huge choice of settings and
functions available but for ease of use, by default the
software is organized into several screens based on the nature of
assistance they offer to stock analysis.
For example, lets take a look at some of the default layout screens
such as:
List
Details
Graph
Directors’ details
News
List screen
By
default the List screen shows all the assets (UK and US stocks,
futures, indices, forex, select commodities, ADRs, GDRs, Unit Trusts,
ETFs, bonds, gilts and warrants) supported by the ShareScope software.
However, short-cut keys are available to select a particular List
screen of choice (for e.g. FTSE 100, FTSE 250 or Indices).
The
prominent feature is that an investor can add his own data to a
particular List screen through the import data facility. Additionally,
a portfolio can be constructed (right-click mouse to open menu) in a
matter of minutes using the assets in a List screen. Similarly, columns
(more than 60 different kinds of data including earnings calendar,
price ratios, rank & historic prices) can be inter-changed,
added,
modified or deleted as required.
User are also offered the
ability to create a column to add any notes or trading data (automatic
inclusion of average buying/selling price). It is a feature which
investors should find quite useful.
When the mouse is moved over
price ratios (EPS, EPS growth, PEG, P/E, profits, turnover, dividend
and yield) in the List screen, a pop graph showing the historic
performance is displayed. It simplifies fundamental analysis process
since an investor can quickly view the graph to decide whether a
detailed study is required. Even the pop-up graphs can be customized.
Fig
1: ShareScope Trading and
Investment Software: Example Layout
Details screen
The
Details screen can be considered to be a core feature of the ShareScope
software package. The screen provides a detailed graphical analysis of
a selected company’s performance, forecasts, financial stability and
sector ranking.
Similar to other screens, the data functions included in
layout of
the Details screen can be totally customized including the
appearance,according to the needs and preferences of the individual
investor.
The
package also provides a number of pre-configured settings, which will
be useful for a beginner. From a professional’s point of view, the
Details screen allows any number of tables and price/result graphs to
be added.
Directors’ dealings screen
By pressing the full
stop (.) button on the keyboard, an investor can quickly look at the
current holdings of management in the Directors’ dealings screen. It is
a useful function to understand the management’s perception about the
company.
A search can be conducted even based
on the
name of an
investor (US investors may be very interested to know what inverstors
like Carl Icahn and Waren Buffet are currently buying or selling).
Graph screen for making precise
buy/sell
decisions
The
ShareScope software primarily offers 12 different kinds of graph
settings, which permits a user to quickly move between different kinds
of display settings.
Additionally, the screen layout can
also be
used to simultaneously view multiple graphs in order to monitor
different indicators, multiple assets, or varying time frames, along
with the main graph. This feature allows an investor to study the
correlation, if any, between two or more different assets or to
pinpoint precise trading opportunities based on price action over
several timefarmes.
This charting facility can be used to
chart
a
single share or even an entire portfolio collectively (based on
weighted capitalization).
Most investors would like to extend trend lines and indicators into the
future to identify the probable direction of price movement. This can
be done through applying the ‘show future’ settings.
Additionally,
investors would like to check the exact price point in the graph where
they have entered a trade. This is usually done during performance
analysis. The ‘Events’ menu facility can be used to display several
important transactions including the buy/sell trades.
There is
also a slide show feature to display graphs one after another. This
roll-over facility is generally required for traders who wish to scan a
large number of securities visually.
The charting facility also
has a feature to view unadjusted (before split, rights issues etc.)
share prices. It is a welcome feature to those investors who are
concerned about the valuation of a security after a stock split.
News alerts screen to keep ahead of
crowd
Similar
to a list screen, the news screen is totally customizable. By using the
forward slash (\) key, the news corresponding to a particular share
data being viewed on screen can be accessed instantly, without having
to trawl through the internet 24/7.
Additionally, there is also a facility to delete or save the news for
studying in more detail at a more convenient time.
A single word or sophisticated news
search facility is
also available thereby enabling an investor to easily filter the news
as
and when required. The ShareScope subscription includes live a
news feed from Dow Jones news wire.
Massive portfolio creation
facility
Create and maintain
a mind-boggling 1000 portfolios with an unlimited number of markets in
each
of them. By default a new portfolio is created (by pressing F12) in
Sterling but this can be converted to any currency. If an investor has
several portfolios then each one of them can be assigned a number and a
button corresponding to it can be added to the tool bar. This facility
enables moving from one portfolio to another quickly.
Moreover, this
software allows copying a share from one portfolio to another. If
necessary, an entire portfolio can be copied and renamed. Additionally,
group portfolios (selection of several portfolios) can be created and
edited, if necessary. If an investor has specific criteria for a
portfolio then a dynamic portfolio can be created using filters. If
that is not enough, an investor can even track the cash balance of each
portfolio very precisely
using the portfolio valuation box.
This facility would be quite helpful
to investors and traders who churn their portfolio often or are perhaps
testing different strategies in separate portfolios. The
appearance of the portfolio and the columns it contains can be modified
as per the individuals’ likes and dislikes.
The ShareScope software package also
provides a capital gains tax calculator for easy management of tax
related issues.
Enables quick search
An investor can quickly search for an
asset,
irrespective of the screen (List / Detail / Graph / News) being
watched. When the first few letters of a stock is typed, a dialog box
with the list name (default is ALL) at its top will open for the
investor to pick the stock. Alternatively, the search can be further
quickened by directly typing the EPIC code (EPIC code search to be
enabled) of the asset.
One of the most attractive features of
this facility is
that a search can be done (by disabling the start from first letter or
use EPIC codes) even when an investor is not sure about the first few
letters of the ticker name or the EPIC code.
No
additional charges with an inclusive
data feed
It is quite normal to see traders
paying separately for the data feed
to be used in conjunction with their charting and analysis software
packages. However, it is not
so in the case of a ShareScope subscription. The ShareScope package, as
discussed earlier, offers EOD, delayed or real-time data feed (based on
the level of subscription) for a diversified range of markets (US/UK
stocks, futures, indices, forex, Unit Trusts, Investment Trusts, Gilts,
Warrants, ETFs, Corporate bonds and selected commodities).
The all inclusive subscription covers
the cost of data feed as well.
For a subscriber, the result is not only savings in cost but also in
the
time involved in sorting out issues related to synchronization of
external data feed and the charting software.
Work offline
Another key advantage when using the
ShareScope software is that internet connectivity is required only to
download (update) data. Users can then perform their analysis offline
as the
requisite data is stored in the end user’s computer system and not in a
server
situated elsewhere.
Powerful data mining facility
The software arguably offers one of
the most impressive and intuitive data
mining (fundamental analysis) features available. An investor can
easily scan through
thousands of equities to find the ones that match adjustable filters.
As many or as few of the available filters can be applied in the
search process.
For example, an investor can create a
filter to
identify stocks with the following parameters:
At least 10% growth rate in EPS in the past 3 yrs.
Similar growth forecast in EPS.
A minimum of 12% growth in revenue.
A quick ratio of at least 1%.
An operating margin of at least 12%.
It is almost impossible to accomplish
the above mentioned task manually
even if there are only 100 stocks left for analysis.
Automate your analysis
Sharescope has in-built
programming language named
ShareScript. This facility enables an investor to develop and perform
customized
analysis systems with the option to also urther use
the results in columns,
indicators or data mining criteria. There is also a ShareScript
library, which not only includes scripts offered by the company but
also those created by other users of the software. One of my favourites
is the fantacstic Market Matrix Cycles add-on.
Subscribers can
download ShareScript files for further use in ShareScope. Investors who
are adept in programming regularly contribute to the library thereby
opening up access to possibilities of benefiting from new data analysis
systems.
Set stock alert alarms easily
The package allows an investor to set
stock alert alarms for individual shares or
globally. The notable feature is the possibility to set an alert based
on
news items as well as from technical or price breakouts. Customised
alarms can be
created using the ShareScript language.
Fully customizable
Acknowledging the fact that no two
investors needs are the same, almost all aspects of different
screens mentioned
can be fully customized to suit individual needs or preferences. A
context menu,
which allows customization, can be opened for any screen by simply
right-clicking the mouse pointer placed over it.
The software so so jam packed full of
functions it is very easy to forget some of the things that you can do
with it so the tip of
the day feature is a very useful tool, when enabled it will give
reminders to an investor about ShareScope’s special features.
By using the options box, the features
in the ShareScope can be selected or deselected by the user.
Easy import/export of data
The facility allows easy import/export
of data from other applications.
The imported data can also be edited if necessary. Similarly, the data
can be exported in four different formats (Excel, Metastock, Quicken
and general). The advantage of this facility is that ShareScope members
can even export their data mining filters to share with
others.
Those traders who wish to pass the data to some other program (excel
sheet for example) on a real-time basis, for further analysis, can use
the DDE (dynamic data exchange) facility.
Backup facility
There may be
situations where a trader would like to recover their data following a
major computer crash or install ShareScope into a new
computer system. The backup and restore facility menu allows a trader
to very easily achieve
this task without the need to re-enter all of their trade (imported
data,
portfolios or custom settings) related details into the new computer.
Training mode
Training mode is another incredible
feature of ShareScope
software package. Training mode enables a trader or investor to
easily test his analytical skills in predicting future prices. It is a
must
try facility for beginners who are new entrants into financial markets
and also for developing and testing new strategies.
Built-in email & discussion
forums
To facilitate communication between
members, ShareScope offers built-in
email and web-based discussion forums. Experienced traders share their
investment strategies and offer free suggestions to fellow traders and
investors.
The company also offers its support
through the discussion
forums.
Market Matrix
Cycles add-on
Fig 2:
The Market Matrix cycles plotted using the Matrix
Cycles
add-on for Sharescope
The Market Matrix Cycles add-on is a
highly dependable
time cycles based tool when it comes to prediction of future price
direction of stocks,
commodities
and even currencies. The software enables a trader to identify probable
trend reversals beforehand thereby giving an early entry advantage.
You can watch the introduction videos
below to learn the basics of what you need to know in order
to get you started with ShareScope Gold, Plus
and Pro. Find out how the software can quickly help you to
become a more successful trader or investor :
Getting the Best from ShareScope Gold
(63 min)
Getting Started with ShareScope Plus
and Pro (38 min)
Getting Started with SharePad
Subscription Levels
SharePad and ShareScope subscription
is offered in 5 variants to suit individual requirements and budgets.
SharePad can be used on iPads, Macs and PCs whereas ShareScope is for
Windows PCs only. Investors will find more financial data in SharePad;
traders will find more charting tools in ShareScope. For most private
investors the end of day (EOD) entry subscription level will more than
meet their requirements and is priced at a little over £18 per month
with an anual subscription. Short term and intraday traders have the
choice between Plus and Pro.
ShareScope
Gold:
ShareScope Gold can be considered as the basic version of the
software catering to passive investors who need an acurate and reliable
end-of-day
(EOD) data feed to make their buy or sell decisions. The live LSE level
2 data is available as an add-on feature. Although a more limited
selection than Plus or Pro, all the most popular
indicators are available here for technical analysis and is inclusive
of a screening
facility. This subscription has single window capability.
ShareScope
Plus: ShareScope Plus is suitable for those investors
who more actively churn their portfolio whenever there is a new
investment
opportunity. This subscription level allows an investor to perform a
very detailed
analysis of the markets. The fundamental difference between
the Gold and Plus subscription is that market data,
barring
commodities, is provided with a 15-minute delay vs end of day.
Thus, an investor need not wait till the end of the day to make a buy
or sell decision.
With multi-window capability, more than a single application can be run
at the same time. Plus Subscribers can also perform detailed
filtering of stocks based on
technicals. Additionally, email and unscheduled auction alerts on
specific stocks can be set as well. The Plus subscription enables the
ability export trade data as well.
ShareScope
Pro: As it can be
understood from the name, the ShareScope Pro subscription
is suitable for
short term intraday and professional traders who wish to
execute day trades whenever the opportunity presents itself in addition
to swing trading or
investing.
The highlight of this subscription is the availability of a range of
live data
feeds (including level 1 and level 2 quotes of LSE) for the all the
assets (including commodities).
SharePad:
The service can be run without downloading any kind of
software as in the case of ShareScope subscription. Being mobile
responsive, this web-based service can be run on any tablet without
difficulty. Even users of Mac will be able to use the service without
any boot camp partition. Being a split-screen utility, an investor can
comfortably go through the fundamental data (dividend history, return,
ranking and key ratios) and view chart at the same time. This allows an
investor to perform in-depth analysis and make error-free decisions.
Only the most needed indicators are provided thereby avoiding a clumsy
look. The price quotes of assets are delayed by 15-min in SharePad
subscription. The subscribers of ShareScope can import data into
SharePad using the portfolio tracking tool.
All details regarding a fund (ISA/SIPP) can be accessed instantaneously
in a single screen thereby saving valuable time which would have been
otherwise spent on searching fund fact sheets.
SharePad
Pro: The most important difference between the SharePad
and
SharePad Pro service is the real-time data feed (including LSE level 1
and level 2) offered for the latter subscription. Apart from the
facilities provided in the SharePad service, subscribers of SharePad
Pro will also receive Dow Jones trader headlines – an indispensable
tool to make quick and informed decisions.
The ShareScope subscription
is certainly a must for those who have a long-term view about
investments in financial markets. There is not even an iota of doubt
that within the trial period, a user will understand the tremendous
value for money offered by the package.
Elliott
Wave Video Crash Course
A series of three FREE videos that demolishes the widely held notion
that news drives the markets
The
Ultimate Technical Analysis Handbook
EWI's new 50-page eBook, The Ultimate Technical Analysis Handbook, will
show you the various methods of technical analysis they use every day
and teach you how to use these powerful tools for yourself.
