FinViz - TopGainers screener

How to Configure Indicators for Top Gainers in FinViz

FinViz (Financial Visualizations) is one of the most popular tools for traders and investors who want to quickly scan the stock market and identify top-performing stocks. In this article, you'll learn how to configure FinViz to track Top Gainers, set relevant indicators, and optimize your screener for better trading decisions.

What Are Top Gainers in FinViz?

Top Gainers are stocks that have experienced the largest price increases over a selected time period, usually within a single trading day. These stocks are often driven by earnings reports, analyst upgrades, news catalysts, or unusual volume.

To find them in FinViz:

1. Go to https://finviz.com

2. Click on the Screener tab.

3. Under the Signal dropdown, choose Top Gainers.

This will instantly filter the list to show stocks that are gaining the most during the current trading session.

Step-by-Step: Configuring FinViz Screener for Top Gainers

To refine your search for actionable stocks, you can add additional filters and indicators. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Select Exchange and Market Cap

Choose the market type and company size to focus your strategy:

• Exchange: NASDAQ / NYSE (optional)

• Market Cap: Mid ($2B–$10B), Small ($300M–$2B), or Micro (<$300M)

This helps filter out illiquid or overly large stocks that may not move as sharply.

2. Price Range and Volume

Limit the results to liquid and affordable stocks:

• Price: e.g., Under $50 (or your preference)

• Average Volume: Over 500K or Over 1M

• Relative Volume: Over 1.5 (shows unusual trading activity)

This ensures you're seeing stocks with sufficient momentum and trader interest.

Key Indicators to Use When Screening Top Gainers

When you're targeting top gainers, technical indicators help confirm whether the stock is showing sustainable strength. Here's what you can add in the Technical tab:

1. 50-Day Moving Average (Price above SMA50)

• Use: Price above SMA50

• Why: Confirms that the stock is in an uptrend over a longer period.

2. 200-Day Moving Average (Price above SMA200)

• Use: Price above SMA200

• Why: This adds another layer of confirmation for strong momentum.

3. Relative Strength Index (RSI)

• Use: RSI (14) Over 50

• Why: Indicates strength. Over 70 may indicate overbought; over 50 means bullish.

4. Change (Up %)

• Use: Today’s Change > 5% or Over 10%

• Why: Filters out weak gainers and focuses on breakout moves.

5. Pattern (e.g., Horizontal S/R or Triangle)

• Use: Pattern = Triangle Ascending, Channel Up, etc.

• Why: Helps identify breakouts from technical setups.

Bonus: Combine with Insider or News Filters

To improve your edge, combine the above with fundamental or sentiment indicators:

• Insider Transactions: Positive

• Earnings Date: Next 5 days

• News: Recent or Upgrades

These factors often fuel the initial breakout or extend the gain.

Save Your Top Gainers Screener in FinViz

After you've customized your screener:

1. Click “Save Screener” (login required).

2. Name it “Top Gainers + Indicators”.

3. Reuse it daily for pre-market or market open scans.

You can even export the list or click into each stock to check charts, fundamentals, and headlines.

Conclusion: Why Custom Top Gainers Screens Matter

Using FinViz to track Top Gainers is a great first step—but combining it with price filters, volume indicators, RSI, and moving averages gives you a powerful trading edge. Whether you're a day trader or swing trader, setting up a smart screener will help you avoid false breakouts and catch high-momentum opportunities early.