Fundamentals Tab
Fundamentals
Fundamentals provide valuable insights into the financial health and performance of a company. They offer a comprehensive analysis of the company’s operations, profitability, growth potential, and overall stability.
Fundamentals are comprised of Earnings, Dividends, Price Projections, Profitability, Growth, and Cash Flow.
Profitability, Growth, and Cash Flow offer even more detail. Either click the button in that section:
OR click the appropriate category at the top of the window:
Earnings data provide insight into a company’s financial health and performance.
Past earnings reports offer insight into the company’s historical growth, profitability, and stability. Positive earnings trends may indicate a well-performing company. Negative or declining earnings could be cause for concern.
Earnings
Earnings projections provide forecasts of a company’s future earnings to gauge Market sentiment and investor expectations. Projections are compiled by financial analysts using factors such as industry trends, company guidance, and economic conditions. Surpassing or falling short of projections can greatly impact stock price.
Some benefits to both the company and shareholders include:
Income Generation
Shareholder Loyalty
Return on Investment
Dividend Reinvestment
Signal of Financial Health
Possible Tax Advantages
Disciplined Capital Allocation
Dividends
The decision to pay dividends is up to the company’s management and board of directors, who weigh various factors, including the company’s financial position, growth prospects, and other capital allocation priorities. Dividend payouts are not guaranteed and may fluctuate or be suspended based on the company’s circumstances and strategic considerations.
Price Projection
Discount Rate
Determining the appropriate discount rate for a stock is a subjective process and depends on various factors.
Here is an example:
- Risk-Free Rate: Start by considering the risk-free rate, (the theoretical rate of return on a risk-free investment such as government bonds). This serves as a baseline for the discount rate. An online search can locate this information for you.
- Risk Premium: Assess the risk associated with the specific stock you are evaluating. Stocks are inherently riskier than risk-free investments, so you need to add a risk premium to the risk-free rate. The risk premium accounts for the additional return expected by investors for taking on the extra risk. The risk premium can vary depending on factors such as industry, company-specific risks, economic conditions, and market volatility.
- Beta: This measures its sensitivity to market movements.
Beta of 1 = the stock moves in line with the overall market
Beta > 1 = the stock has higher volatility and would warrant a higher discount rate to reflect the increased risk. - Company-Specific Factors: Are there unique company factors (financial health, competitive position, growth prospects, management quality, etc) that could positively or negatively influence the discount rate?
- Sensitivity Analysis: Changing the discount allows you to assess the impact of the stock’s valuation. Some sectors are subject to more volatility than others: the Energy and Material Sectors tend to be more volatile than Consumer Staples or Utility Sectors.
The discount rate is subjective. Different investors might have different views on what the appropriate discount rate is for a given stock, based on their own risk tolerance, the specific risks associated with the company, and their expectations for future market conditions.
Profitability
Revenue: Money generated from sales of goods or services. It is income earned prior to deducting expenses or costs
Cost of Revenue: Expenses directly related to production, manufacturing, or acquisition of products/services sold. Typical examples include raw materials, labor, overhead, etc.
Operating Expenses: Day-to-day, necessary operating expenses not directly related to the production/acquisition of goods/services. Examples: Wages, utilities, depreciation, advertising, etc.
Other Expenses: Depending on the nature of the business can include: Taxes, Interest, Non-operating losses, Restructuring, Non-recurring, etc.
Revenue Growth Rate: Percentage change (+/-) in a company’s sales/revenue over a period of time:
Revenue Current–Revenue Previous/Revenue Previous x 100
Net Profit Growth Rate: Percentage change (+/-) in a company’s net profit over a specific period of time:
Net Profit Current–Net Profit Previous/Net Profit Previous x 100
Profit Margin: Percentage of revenue a company retains after deducting all expenses.
A higher profit margin indicates a company is generating more profit relative to its revenue. A lower percentage suggests higher expenses in proportion to revenue.
Growth
Asset: These can vary by industry/company. Common examples that contribute to a company’s growth are Financial, Intellectual Property, Human Capital, Physical Assets, Technology/Info Systems, Customer Base, Brand Equity, Partnerships, and Networks.
Debt/Equity Ratio: Total Debt divided by Total Equity. Interpretation varies by industry and a company’s specific circumstances: a high ratio can indicate higher financial risk OR effective management of debt through cash flow. A low ratio can indicate a conservative financial position OR under-utilization of debt and missed opportunities for growth.
Non-Current Assets: Resources not intended to be converted into cash or used up within a year.
Assets: Anything of value that has the potential to generate future economic benefits.
Liabilities: Obligation or debt a company owes to external parties that must be fulfilled in the near future.
Long-term Liabilities: Obligation or debt a company owes but has more than a year to repay.
Equity: The portion of a company’s value belonging to its owners or shareholders after all debts and obligations have been settled
Operating Cash Flow: Represents the cash inflow/outflow directly related to day-to-day activities including sales of goods and services, paying operating expenses, and collection of receivables.
Free Cash Flow: Cash flow available for discretionary use after accounting for operating expenses, capital expenditures, and changes in working capital. Positive values offer opportunities, negative values may indicate financial challenges.
Cash Flow
Cash Margin %: Percentage of cash generated from a company’s sales revenue after deducting its cash operating expenses. It measures the profitability and efficiency of a company’s operations to generate cash.
Cash Indicator: The industry percentile ranking of a company’s ability to generate cash from its operations.
Position Notifications
When you Enable and Activate Account Notifications, you’ll receive emails on upcoming activity that may affect your existing positions.
- Upcoming Earnings – Monday Morning via Email
- Upcoming Dividends – Monday Morning via Email
- Option Position Expiring – Two days prior via Email
To begin, locate and click on the Envelope Icon at the top of the platform page, next to your Username:
Follow the steps as outlined and illustrated:
- Click on Notification Settings
- Add your email (Optional: Add 2nd email)
- Check/uncheck Categories
- Click “Save”
The settings can be updated at anytime by following the above steps.
Next:
For each account you want to receive notifications on, toggle the switch located on the Account Summary tab to the “On” position as shown in the graphic.
**Without this step, you won’t receive the notifications.**
Expiration Notifications will be emailed 2 days in advance.
Each Monday, prior to Market Open, an email will be sent where there’s an Earnings or Dividend for any of the positions in the account(s) you have activated.
The Notification Center will list what has been emailed to you for each account you have activated.
The Account Name and associated Color Tag will be displayed on each Notification and allows for quick identification.
Platform Features Release: March 2023
Announcing the latest features/functions updates, additions, or edits to the trading platform:
Valuation and Fundamental Data Points added
Users have more criteria to select from for both the Screener, to find potential trade candidates, and Watchlist Views to analyze candidates.
Valuation and Fundamental Data Points Added
Watch List Views
Over 30 data points were added to the Valuation and Fundamental sections for Watch List Views.
Build, Save, and Edit your customized Watch List Views to your needs.
Learn how to use this feature:
Screener
Over 30 data points have been added to the Screener Function under the Valuation and Fundamental sections.
There are 3 Levels of Data Points. Level 2 has more Data Points than 1, Level 3 has all criteria available to select from.
Now users have more tools to choose customize screens. These may be saved and edited at any time.
Enhancements
- Added Average Volume line to (upper) Volume Indicator
- Saving Annotations/Texts, etc on charts are an automatic function. It no longer has to be selected.
- Scroll function added to lists on Custom, Market and Watch pages
- GAAP/non-GAAP PE/PEG (TPE and PE chart in Valuation section to reflect GAAP PE)
Change Log
- Resolved Screener Export Function
- Open/Close “save” function fixed in Backtest mode
- 2nd email saving in Notification feature setup
- Candlesticks and Volume bars line up
Platform Features Release: December 2022
Announcing the latest Release which added a powerful Lower Indicator on the Charts Tab: 52 Week Hi/Lo. Price/Date info has been added to X/Y axis
52-Week Hi/Low Indicator
The newest lower indicator: 52-week Hi/Low Indicator is a Broad Market Indicator. It is not Stock specific.
View how individual Stocks/ETFs are faring compared to the Broad Market.
Select from NYSE, NASD or AmEx
There are two views:
Show Difference Only – Display either a green or red (or no) bar representing the net advancers/decliners for that period.
Show High & Low (uncheck box)– Displays both green/red bars to illustrate number with new 52 week high/lows.
The background color identifies a bullish or bearish trend, based upon the number of days selected (Trend Period)
Example: If 3 days are selected, background highlight will begin on the 4th consecutive day of gains (or losses).
X/Y axis – Price/Date display
The cursor’s crosshairs will display the Price/Date info along the X/Y axis for easier reading.
This information will still appear in the upper/right corner above the chart:
Drawing Key Activation
Use your keypad to activate drawing lines on the Chart by following these steps:
1. Click either in Header area above the chart – OR –
Click the Annotation icon>Line
2. Click on chart, then “Alt” and “T” keys where you want to start line.
Once activated from either of the starting points (1), the function works on the current chart, without having to reactivate by clicking on the Header or Annotation icon.
Platform Features Release: November 2022
Announcing the latest Release allowing for customized Watchlist views. Improvements in Journal functionality will increase responsiveness and allow users to better control the data displayed. Format enhancements were also made to increase readability
Watchlist Views – Create, Save & Edit
The ability to create your own Watchlist views based on criteria important to you enhances the work flow of finding the best candidates for trading.
Click on 
next to the (Default) Watchlist, then select “Add New” to get started.
Build your own views from over 160 data points, then adjust the display position in the order you want them to appear.
Click on 
icon to edit a view you previously created.
Learn more by clicking below:
Improvements
The Journal default displays Order/Trade activity from the Activated Trade Account.
To switch or add accounts, simply click on the other Account tabs or select by group: Real, Virtual, Manual or All accounts.
The improved functionality allows for faster journal activity display and easier trade analysis.
Change Log
- Resolved Score Icon Navigation from Home/Market Tab
- Corrected Fundamental/Dividend missing data
- Moving Average indicator functionality restored on Custom Page
- Corrected display data on Fundamental Tab
- Addressed candlestick not appearing first 20 minutes on Mondays.
- Rectified downloading data from Screener
Platform Features Release: October 2022
Announcing the latest Release of feature and functionality enhancements to the trading platform. These features and enhancements help keep users informed with activity on their trades. Functionality has been added to review a Watchlist in the Research tab, while being able to see at a glance which symbols have a price increase or decrease.
Notifications – Receive emails on upcoming Earnings, Dividends or Expiring Positions
Watchlist Research Functionality – Access and view your Watch Lists in the Research Tab via a drop-down box
Price Action Arrows on Symbols in Research Tab – Instantly see latest price action while on the Research Tab
Trade Position Notifications – Premium Feature
Want to receive weekly emails of Expiring Positions, Upcoming Earnings and/or Dividends on existing trades you have in your accounts?
This Premium Feature allows you to do just that in a 2-part process:
First: Click on the the Envelope Icon at the top of the platform screen:
Go to “Notification Settings.”
Provide your email address(es).
Select Notifications you want to receive.
Click “Save”.
Next: On your Portfolio Accounts, go to the Account Summary Page and Toggle the switch to the On position.
Repeat this process for each Account you want emailed Notifications.
Expiration Notifications will be emailed 2 days in advance.
Each Monday, prior to Market Open, an email will be sent where there’s an Earnings or Dividend for any of the positions in the account(s) you have activated.
The Notification Center will list what has been emailed to you for each account you have activated.
The Account Name and associated Color Tag will be displayed on each Notification and allows for quick identification.
Each Monday, prior to Market Open, an email will be sent where there’s Earnings or Dividend for any of the positions in the account(s) you have activated.
The Notification Center will list what has been emailed to you for each account you have activated.
The Account Name and associated Color Tag will be displayed on each Notification and allows for quick identification.
Research Watchlist Functionality
Users are able to access all Watchlists from the Research Tab.
Click the to access the dropdown list as shown in the graphic.
Lists with more than 20 symbols will have a scroll bar allowing for easier research of larger lists.
All other functionality remains the same: Symbols can be moved to other lists, have alerts set, deleted, add Journal notes
When a symbol is entered in the Symbol Search Box on the Research Tab, the symbol will automatically be displayed on the default “Recents” list.
In addition, when a symbol or group of symbols is sent to Research from anywhere else on the platform, it will appear on a list under the default “Recents” list.
Examples of when the “Recents” list will be displayed:
- Sending a symbol/symbols from a list on a Watch Tab.
- Selecting a group of symbols from a Scan or Screener list.
- Clicking on the Technical Icon from any symbol when not in the Research Tab. will be displayed under “Recents”.
The functionality of adding a note, an alert or sending a symbol to a specific list remains the same.
Green and Red Arrows have been added to each symbol tab when in Research.
This applies to any selected Watchlist or the default “Recents” list.
Each time one symbol is clicked, the entire list will update the latest price update.
Change Log
- Upper Indicator responsiveness corrected
- Profitability info loads correctly on Fundamental Tab
- Completed Bear Put description on Strategy Template
- Corrected display data on Fundamental Tab
Platform Features Release: April 2022
Announcing the updates, additions and edits to the trading platform:
Capability to adjust charts for splits
When a stock had a previous stock split, a button appears above to view Adjusted/Unadjusted Chart.
Data Points added to Option Chain
Get % return on Expiration and annualized % values for covered positions.
Intraday Chart Period Update
1 Week displays as 7 Days. 2 Weeks displays as 14 days.
Chart Adjusts for Splits
When a stock has a Split history, 
will appear next to the Indicator Box above the chart.
Make sure the chart period selected covers when the split occurred. This is identified on the x-axis of the chart as 
.
When the “UnAdj” button is clicked, the chart will display ‘before’ & ‘after’ split pricing.
Click the “UnAdj” button again to restore the prior chart display.
New Option Data Points Added
New data points have been added to assist in analyzing returns.
Covered Return – return based on expiration for $ used to buy shares for covered positions.
TVI% – Covered Return annualized
These are available on the Calls/Puts Chain and are also available as data points for Option Chain Custom Views
Chart Enhancements: Chart Periods & Candlestick Range
Change Log
- Resolved Saved Screener settings glitch
- Corrected Backtest Analyze date ability
- Restored sort capability in Institutional Activity
- Corrected profit/loss % display in Virtual Accounts
- Restored missing PEG/TTM data
- Enhanced contrast/dark theme notation
- Corrected Virtual Account Gain/Loss display
- Lower Indicator placement ability restored
- Earnings Data restored, added Time of Day
- Duplicate TDA Journal tab resolved
Platform Features Release: Enhanced Annotation Capability and Indicator Settings
Announcing the latest features/functions updates, additions or edits to the trading platform:
Enhanced Annotation Capability
Additional features have been added to create Annotations, Trendlines and Notes on the Chart. Each can be customized by color, size and easily placed on individual charts.
Volume and Moving Average Indicator Updates:
Users have the ability to further differentiate Moving Averages on the charts by changing the type of Line.
Volume can now be selected as an Upper Indicator and/or Lower Indicator
Enhanced Annotations, Trendlines, Notes & Fibonacci capabilities
Additional & Enhanced Tools for Charting
Enhanced Annotations, Trendlines, Notes & Fibonacci Retracements allow you to customize and edit for greater flexibility on your charting.
Rays, Horizontal Lines and Arrows have been added. All allow you to select the color and thickness of each for greater differentiation on the charts. Easily reposition with a simple click and drag to new location.
Notes can be text and color edited as well as repositioned.
Parallel Lines have been added and they, along with Fibonacci Retracements – allow you to customize the color and transparency on the charts.
Edits are easy: Click on the entry, edit as needed on the Annotation Box – which can be moved anywhere on the platform- as needed, to make any changes.
Volume and Moving Average Enhancements
Customize your Moving Average indicator Lines – not only by color – but by the type of line:
Volume, already available as a Lower Indicator, can be added as an Upper Indicator on the charts.
In addition, the Volume bar colors can be customized as they are an independent indicator from the candlesticks. This is done by clicking on the gear icon, as shown.
Change Log
- Added Stock/ETF symbol to Option Chain Window
Platform Features Release: New Option Chain Functionality/Appearance, Responsive P/L Graph
Features Release Notes:
New Option Chain Functionality/Appearance, Responsive P/L Graph
Announcing the latest features/functions updates, additions or edits to the trading platform:
Option Chain Functionality/Display has been revamped to allow users to control which information to view and increase responsiveness. Symbols, such as SPY and SPX, will load noticeably faster. An incorporated Dashboard provides a snapshot of current activity allowing users to make more informed decisions.
Responsive P/L Graph adjusts when the slide bar between Bid and Mid price is adjusted. This is especially helpful when the spread is considerable.
Option Chain Display/Functionality
Select Expiration Cycles
The redesigned Option Chain allows users control of what Expirations to view instead of the platform defaulting to a cycle approximately 30 days out.
Click on the Options Tab from Research.
A window with available Expirations will appear along with a Dashboard with pertinent information (Volume, IV, OI, Earnings Date, etc) for more informed decision-making.
As a bonus, this structure allows data to load faster – especially helpful for those symbols with large option chains.
Responsive P/L Graph
The P/L graph on the Options Tab is responsive to adjustments made to the trade set up for the entry Net Debit/Net Credit.
Note, the smaller the spread between the Bid/Ask, the smaller the graph adjustment will be.
The example illustrates a large spread to better illustrate this feature update.
Change Log
- Price representation on chart X/Y axis corrected
- Journal Notes enhancement
- Saved screeners adjustment
- Active Watchlist access corrected
- Close from Backtest saves Symbol
- Clarified wording on Warning Message
- Mobile version of Saved and System Screener
- Mobile app – rolling trade adjustments
- P/L ‘Go Big’ data correction
- Account Summary page enhancement
- Large number displays on HeatMap
Platform Features Release: Smart Trade Ticket, Global Chart Settings, Updated Fundamental Tab, Order/Trade Chart Display
Features Release Notes:
Smart Trade Ticket, Global Chart Settings, Updated Fundamental Tab, Order/Trade Chart Display
Announcing the latest features/functions updates, additions or edits to the trading platform:
The Smart Trade Ticket is easier to use and allows for future capability depending on what brokerages offer. One Example if this would be Conditional Orders.
Global Chart Settings have always housed where to control candlestick/volume bar colors as well as Tooltip displays. Now, clicking on the gear allows you the ability to display Annotations, Positions/Orders and Events.
The Fundamental Tab under Research has an improved, easier to read display with additional features for a clearer snapshot of a stock’s past and forecasted performance.
You’ll be able to differentiate a Conditional Order from a Staged Order as well as a Yet-To-Be-Executed-Order with the enhanced Order/Trade Display.
Smart Trade Ticket
Smart Trade Ticket
The redesigned Trade Ticket has defined sections for Stock/ETF trades and Option Trades. The Stock Ticket is divided into Open and Exit sections for easier use.
The Close Ticket provides a summary of any Profit/Loss on the trade. Brokerages determine available Order Types, which may include the following to open a trade:
Note: Closing Order Types may also include Trailing $ and Trailing %.
If there is an existing position on a Symbol when a new order is created, the Smart Ticket system will identify if there is an existing Non-Stock/Multi-leg Position or an existing Stock position.
If Non-Stock/Multi-leg position, clicking “Close” will navigate the user to the Option Trade Ticket. Clicking “Ok” will lead the user to the Stock/ETF Ticket.
If there is an existing Stock position, a summary of the existing will display along with the ability to Close or Add to the existing position.
Global Chart Settings
Global Chart Settings
Manage common chart settings from one location by clicking on the left-most Gear icon on the Chart Header which is located under the saved chart periodicities.
In addition to setting your Bullish/Bearish candlestick and corresponding Volume bar colors and control of whether you want Tooltips to display on the chart, you can view/hide:
All Chart Settings
Annotations
Orders/Positions
Events (Dividends/Earnings)
Simply click the ‘eye’ icon to display/hide your selection. Once finished with your Global Settings, click “Update,” then “Close.” To reset to default settings, click “Reset.”
Improved Fundamental Display
Fundamental Data has a new look
The area charts under the Research>Fundamental tab have been replaced with bar charts for easier understanding.
A Tooltip appears when you hover your cursor over the bar charts providing information for that data point.
Estimated Earnings is now in the same window as Historic Earnings for clearer comparison as both sets of data now have the same orientation
The Earnings display has been enhanced to illustrate past and projected data in the same window to match the orientation for a more accurate ‘apples to apples’ comparison.
Click on any of the legend icons to toggle the data displayed.
The Analysts’ Target Window displays the current stock price as a horizontal line for reference.
Custom Page Enhancements
The widgets with that number will automatically populate accordingly.
To change displaying one symbol to another using a Watchlist, simply click on the Action Icon of new Symbol and select the number of the current Symbol you want to replace.
A refresh icon 
has been added to the Header to make it easy to update the Custom Page display after rearranging widgets.
We’ve increased the number of symbols that can be tagged from 6 to 12.
Using the Watchlist displayed on the left side of the screen, click the Action Icon (triangle) to left of Stock Symbol you want to display and assign a number, 1 to 12.
Delete Notice added to Research Tab
A Warning Notice now displays when ‘x’ is clicked on the Research Tab requiring confirmation prior to removing the list of symbols from the tab.
Change Log
- Heat Map filter setting/saving improved
- Interval call split adjustments
- Greek Summary displays on Positions tab
- ETF list on Home Page issue resolved
- Strike Arrow functionality restored on Option Chain
- Sorting Scan after scrolling behavior corrected
- Eliminated stacking Indicators on charts
- Alert list is scrollable