When the Dow swung more than 900 points in a single session twice this week on dueling Iran headlines, the first place that reaction showed up was not the stock market. It was the futures market, where E-mini contracts on the S&P 500 were repricing overnight, hours before the opening bell. For anyone who wants to trade those moves directly, E-mini futures are the instrument built for the job.

What Are E-Mini Futures?

E-mini futures are electronically traded futures contracts that represent a fraction of the size of a standard futures contract, most commonly tied to major stock indexes like the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, and Dow Jones Industrial Average.

The flagship contract is the E-mini S&P 500, ticker symbol ES, which trades on CME Group’s Globex platform and is one of the most liquid financial instruments in the world.

When you buy or sell an E-mini, you are agreeing to exchange the cash value of the underlying index at a set price on a future date, and you only put up a fraction of that value as margin.

How the Contracts Are Sized

The E-mini S&P 500 is valued at $50 times the index level, and its smallest price increment, or tick, is 0.25 index points, worth $12.50 per contract.

With the S&P 500 closing at 7,394.30 on Thursday, one ES contract controls roughly $369,700 of market exposure.

That is far more than most retail traders want to handle, which is why CME Group launched Micro E-mini contracts in 2019 at one-tenth the E-mini’s size.

The Micro E-mini S&P 500, ticker MES, is $5 times the index with the same 0.25-point minimum tick, so each tick is worth $1.25 and one contract controls about $36,970 at current levels.

Intraday margin requirements on Micro contracts can run as low as $50 per contract at some brokers, though holding overnight requires substantially more.

Why Traders Use Them

The biggest draw is the clock: futures trade nearly 24 hours a day, opening Sunday at 6 p.m. ET and running through Friday afternoon, so traders can react to news the moment it breaks rather than waiting for the 9:30 a.m. open.

This week was a textbook example, as S&P 500 futures climbed on optimism around a U.S.-Iran peace deal while traders positioned ahead of SpaceX’s record $75 billion IPO, with much of that repricing happening outside regular stock market hours.

E-minis also offer a capital-efficient way to hedge, since one contract can offset losses across an entire portfolio of large-cap stocks without selling a single share.

Unlike stocks, futures positions are marked to market daily, meaning gains and losses settle to your account every day, and the contracts are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

The Risks

Leverage cuts both ways, and a 1% move against a single ES contract at current index levels is a loss of nearly $3,700.

Futures gains also receive distinct tax treatment, with 60% taxed as long-term and 40% as short-term capital gains under Section 1256 of the tax code, regardless of how long you held the position.

If your account falls below maintenance margin, your broker can liquidate your position without warning, which is why position sizing matters more in futures than almost anywhere else.

Having a tested plan before entering helps, and we’ve broken down the most widely used futures trading strategies, from pullbacks to breakout trades, for traders building that framework.

Where to Trade E-Mini Futures

You need a futures-specific brokerage account, since standard stock accounts do not support these contracts, and we’ve compared the best futures trading platforms on commissions, margins, and tools.

For newer traders, Plus500 offers both E-mini and Micro E-mini contracts, including the E-mini and Micro E-mini S&P 500, and Plus500’s futures platform pairs low minimums with a streamlined web and mobile interface, with micro commissions under $1 per side.

Commissions vary widely across the industry, so it pays to compare the best futures brokers on per-contract pricing before funding an account.

One date to circle: the Federal Reserve announces its rate decision on June 17, with U.S. markets closed June 19 for Juneteenth, a combination that tends to compress a full week of futures volatility into just a few sessions, right as traders roll June contracts into September.

The post What are E-Mini Futures? by AJ Fabino appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.

When Netflix walked away from its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery this spring, it turned around and announced a $25 billion plan to buy its own shares, pushing its total repurchase firepower to roughly $32 billion.

If you own almost any S&P 500 index fund, companies are quietly doing the same thing with your money right now, and it shapes your returns whether you notice or not.

A stock buyback, also called a share repurchase, is when a company uses its own cash to buy its shares back from investors on the open market or through a formal offer.

What Is a Stock Buyback

Those repurchased shares are typically retired or held in the company’s treasury, which shrinks the total number of shares outstanding.

With fewer shares in circulation, each remaining share represents a slightly larger slice of the company’s profits and assets, which is why buybacks are considered a way of returning cash to shareholders.

The scale is enormous: S&P 500 companies spent a record $942.5 billion on buybacks in 2024, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices, and authorizations have kept growing since.

How a Buyback Works

The process starts when a company’s board approves a repurchase authorization, such as the $25 billion expansion Netflix announced in April 2026 after strong first-quarter earnings.

An authorization is a ceiling, not a promise, so a company can repurchase less than the announced amount or stop entirely without notice.

Most buybacks happen gradually through open-market purchases, where the company buys its stock the same way you would, often using preset trading plans to stay within securities rules.

Some companies instead use a tender offer, inviting shareholders to sell a set number of shares back at a stated price, usually at a premium to the market.

A third route is the accelerated share repurchase, where a company pays an investment bank upfront to deliver a large block of shares quickly.

Why Companies Buy Back Their Shares

The most cited reason is the math: cutting the share count boosts earnings per share even when total profit stays flat.

If a company earns $1 billion with 1 billion shares outstanding, EPS is $1. Retire 100 million shares and EPS jumps to about $1.11 without a single extra dollar of profit.

A buyback can also signal that management believes the stock is undervalued, since executives are choosing their own shares over acquisitions, new factories, or debt repayment.

Buybacks are more flexible than dividends, because cutting a dividend tends to punish a stock while quietly slowing a buyback rarely makes headlines.

They have historically been more tax-efficient too, since shareholders who hold on owe nothing immediately, although public companies now pay a 1% excise tax on net repurchases under rules the IRS began enforcing for buybacks after December 31, 2022.

What a Buyback Means for Your Shares

If you hold the stock and do nothing, your ownership percentage rises automatically as the share count falls.

The added buying pressure can also support the share price in the short term, although the effect varies with market conditions and the size of the program.

Buybacks often run alongside dividend payments, and together the two make up a company’s total shareholder return policy.

Apple is the clearest example: its $110 billion authorization in May 2024 was the largest in U.S. history, and the company spent more than $104 billion repurchasing stock that year alone.

Criticisms and Risks to Watch

Buybacks are not automatically good for investors, and timing is a chronic problem.

Companies tend to repurchase the most stock when markets and prices are at their highest, which means they sometimes overpay for their own shares.

Some firms borrow to fund buybacks, adding debt to the balance sheet for a financial benefit that can evaporate in a downturn.

Headline buyback totals can also mask dilution, because many companies issue new shares to employees as stock compensation, so the net reduction in share count is often smaller than the announced figure suggests.

A useful habit is checking the actual shares outstanding in a company’s quarterly filings rather than trusting the press release number.

How to Invest With Buybacks in Mind

Companies with steady, self-funded repurchase programs and genuinely shrinking share counts have historically been attractive long-term holdings, and screening for falling share counts is a simple place to start.

You will need a brokerage account to act on what you find, and buying stocks online now takes minutes with zero commissions at most major firms.

If you want a straightforward way to build positions in companies returning cash to shareholders, Public lets you buy fractional shares commission-free, so you can own a piece of a serial repurchaser like Apple or Netflix with as little as a few dollars.

With 2026 already shaping up as another record year for authorizations, expect buyback announcements to keep moving stocks every earnings season.

The post What is a Stock Buyback? by AJ Fabino appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.

Crude oil traded near $89 a barrel this week as renewed U.S.-Iran hostilities rattled global markets, and the price flashing across every screen was not the cost of a physical barrel changing hands.

It was the price of a futures contract.

Futures set the benchmark prices for oil, gold, corn, and the S&P 500 itself, which is why every premarket headline can tell you where stocks are likely headed before the opening bell rings.

What Are Futures?

Futures are standardized contracts that obligate the buyer to purchase, and the seller to deliver, a specific asset at a set price on a set date in the future.

They trade on regulated exchanges such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, where volume hit a record average of 28.1 million contracts per day in 2025 and climbed another 15% year over year this May, reflecting how heavily institutions and individual traders now rely on these markets.

Because every contract on an exchange has identical terms, the only thing buyers and sellers negotiate is price, which makes futures one of the most liquid and transparent markets in the world.

How a Futures Contract Works

Every futures contract specifies four things: the underlying asset, the quantity, the expiration date, and how it settles.

One crude oil contract covers 1,000 barrels, so with oil near $89, a single contract controls roughly $89,000 of crude.

One E-mini S&P 500 contract is worth $50 times the index level, which at recent levels around 7,400 works out to about $370,000 of exposure, while the Micro E-mini version is one tenth that size.

Positions are marked to market daily, meaning gains and losses are credited or debited to your account every trading day rather than at expiration.

Most traders never take delivery of anything, because they close or roll their positions before expiration, and many contracts, including equity index futures, settle in cash anyway.

Who Uses Futures and Why

Futures exist because businesses need price certainty.

A corn farmer can sell futures in the spring to lock in a harvest price, and an airline can buy fuel futures to protect itself from a spike like the one traders have hedged against during the recent Middle East escalation.

Speculators take the other side of those trades, accepting risk in pursuit of profit, and in the process they keep the market liquid enough for hedgers to use.

Index futures also serve as the market’s overnight scoreboard, which is why Nasdaq futures jumped 135 points ahead of the SpaceX IPO on June 12, hours before regular trading began.

Leverage Cuts Both Ways

You do not pay the full contract value to trade futures. You post margin, a good-faith deposit that often runs between 3% and 12% of the contract’s notional value.

That leverage means a 1% move in the underlying asset can translate into a gain or loss of 10% or more on your deposited capital.

Losses can exceed your initial margin, and your broker can issue a margin call requiring you to add funds immediately, so position sizing matters more in futures than in almost any other market.

A practical comparison of contract types and their risk profiles is covered in Benzinga’s guide to futures trading strategies.

How to Start Trading Futures

You need an account with a broker registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and a member of the National Futures Association.

Benzinga’s rundown of the best futures trading platforms compares pricing, tools, and account minimums across the major brokers.

Beginners often start with Micro contracts, which carry one tenth the size and margin of standard contracts, and a step-by-step walkthrough is available in Benzinga’s guide on how to trade futures.

If capital is the constraint, funded trading programs offer another route: Apex Trader Funding lets you trade futures with the firm’s capital after passing an evaluation, keeping a share of the profits without risking your own account balance.

Whichever path you choose, remember that futures trade nearly 24 hours a day, opening Sunday at 6 p.m. ET and running through Friday afternoon, so Monday’s market direction starts taking shape while most investors are still finishing the weekend.

The post What Are Futures Contracts? by AJ Fabino appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.

TLDR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)

• Top 10 stock scanners/screeners for 2026: Benzinga Pro, Trade Ideas, Finviz, Stock Rover, TradingView, TrendSpider, TC2000, Simply Wall Street, Magnifi and Seeking Alpha Premium
• Key factors to consider: real-time data capabilities, customization options, technical vs. fundamental analysis focus and user interface
• Best overall: Benzinga Pro with its real-time streaming data, instant news alerts and comprehensive earnings calendar
• Best for day trading: Trade Ideas with AI-powered scans and real-time alerts
• Best free option: Finviz offering a wide range of filters and charts with a free version
• How to choose: identify your strategy, determine technical vs. fundamental focus, consider ease of use vs. customization and evaluate market coverage
• Future trends: increased AI integration, natural language interfaces, alternative data incorporation and better trading platform integration

In 2026, stock screeners and scanners are more important than ever for navigating an increasingly complex market. With thousands of stocks (and other assets like ETFs or crypto) available, a good screening tool acts like your personal search engine for investments, quickly sifting through data to find those that meet your criteria.

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting a Stock Scanner

Market conditions have been marked by high volatility and sector rotations, meaning traders and investors must react fast and base decisions on data. Consider a few essential factors:

• Real-time data capabilities: Stay ahead of sudden market moves by flagging unusual price action or volume spikes as they happen
• Technical vs. fundamental focus: Choose tools that align with your analysis approach
• Customization options: Look for platforms that allow for personalized scanning criteria
• User interface: Consider how intuitive and navigable the platform is
• Market coverage: Ensure the scanner covers the markets you want to trade
• Cost and value: Balance features against subscription costs

Top 10 Best Stock Scanners and Screeners

1. Best Overall: Benzinga Pro

Best For

All Trading Levels

Overall Rating

get started

Best for: Traders who need real-time data, news and alerts to act quickly on market movements.

Pricing: Ranges from $37 to $197 per month (Basic to premium plans), billed monthly or annually. A 14-day free trial is available.

Key features: Benzinga Pro is an all-in-one platform providing real-time streaming news and quotes, an advanced stock screener with many filters (fundamentals, technicals, etc.) and customizable alerting tools. A standout feature is its calendar suite – you get a detailed feed of upcoming earnings releases, revenue announcements, guidance and economic events, all integrated into the platform.

When news breaks, Benzinga Pro’s feed updates with a yellow flash on your screen within seconds, ensuring you never miss market-moving headlines. It even includes an audio squawk that reads out key news in real-time, so you can keep up with headlines hands-free.

Pros

• Real-time news and scanning: Live newsfeed and rapid scanner keep you ahead of the market
• Comprehensive alerts: Set audio, desktop or email alerts for a variety of triggers (price moves, news keywords, etc.) to act immediately
• Earnings & calendar coverage: Full calendars for earnings, dividends, economics – great for event-driven traders
• All-in-one workspace: Includes charts, watchlists and even a chat community, so you don’t need multiple apps
• Unique features: Audio Squawk and sentiment indicators give an extra edge in quickly digesting information

Cons

• Learning curve: So much data and so many features can be overwhelming for beginners at first
• No free plan: Only a free trial – after that, it’s paid, whereas some competitors have free versions

Why it stands out: Benzinga Pro is the ultimate real-time market toolkit. Overall, we picked it as the best because it seamlessly blends a wall of live information (news, calendars, price alerts) with a flexible scanner, all in one interface. Active traders love that they can filter stocks by almost any criteria and get instant notification of anything important, from a breaking news headline to a stock hitting a 52-week high. In short, Benzinga Pro helps you react to the market in seconds, making it invaluable for serious traders who can justify its speed and breadth of features.

2. Best for Day Trading & AI: Trade Ideas

Best For

Active Trading

Overall Rating

get started securely through Trade Ideas’s website

More Details

Best For

Active Trading

N/A

1 Minute Review

Trade Ideas enables its subscribers to make better market decisions in the US exchanges with access to risk management targets to get in and out of a trade. The company sharpens trading decisions by combining simulated trading with artificial intelligence (AI) to model, test, and optimize trading strategies and decisions. Trade Ideas distinguishes itself from the crowd by offering connections to multiple brokers as an alternative to legacy tools and platforms. Trade Ideas offers a continuously innovating decision support platform that saves time and promotes confident and consistent intra-day and swing trading decisions.

Best For

• Intraday and swing traders
• Active traders

Pros

• Real-time scans
• Innovative visualizations
• High quality simulated trading

Cons

• No mobile app
• May be easy to get lost for some users

Best for: Day traders and active traders who want AI-generated trade ideas and robust scanning in real time.

Pricing: $127 per month for the Standard plan and $254 per month for Premium when billed monthly. Annual subscriptions cut that to about $89 and $178 per month, respectively.

Key features: Trade Ideas is known for its artificial intelligence engine, “Holly,” which automatically hunts for trade setups. Every trading day, Holly analyzes thousands of stocks and hundreds of technical and fundamental criteria at once then surfaces a curated list of high-probability trade ideas.

The platform includes many pre-built scanners (for gaps, momentum etc.) that update in real time. You can customize scans or use their channel bar to view themed lists (e.g. “social media stocks,” “earnings today” etc.). Trade Ideas also offers a built-in backtesting module (“OddsMaker”) that lets you test trading strategies against historical data without coding. For execution, it can integrate with certain brokerages so you can trade directly from the Trade Ideas interface.

Pros

• AI-powered scanning: The Holly AI generates trade ideas and improves strategies by learning from market data. This is like having a virtual analyst watching the market for you
• Real-time alerts: Ultra-fast scanning servers (located near exchanges) ensure you get alert the moment a stock triggers your criteria. Crucial for day traders needing split-second updates
• Customizable and extensive filters: Hundreds of filters (technical, fundamental, social sentiment) to build or tweak scans to your strategy
• Backtesting and simulation: You can optimize strategies with the OddsMaker and even run in simulated trading mode to practice
• Broker integration: Connectivity to brokers (like E*TRADE, Interactive Brokers etc.) allows one-click trading from a scan result, streamlining your workflow

Cons

• Expensive premium features: The full AI and backtesting capabilities require the higher-priced Premium plan (~$167/mo). It’s a significant cost though often justified for active traders
• Steep learning curve: The interface is powerful but can be complex. New users may find the array of windows, scans and configuration options intimidating. It’s designed for advanced users
• Limited to U.S. & Canada stocks: Trade Ideas covers U.S. and Canadian exchanges only so it’s not suitable if you want to scan international markets beyond North America

Why it stands out: Trade Ideas has been a leader in AI-driven stock scanning for years and in 2026 it remains unparalleled for active trading. We chose it for day traders because nothing beats its combination of speed and smarts – the platform not only streams market data fast, it also helps you discover setups you might have missed on your own. 

The AI “Holly” is essentially an algorithmic trading assistant that applies dozens of strategies to live market data and tells you which stocks look promising each day. 

3. Best Free Stock Screener: Finviz

Best For

Beginners

Overall Rating

Get started securely through finviz’s website

More Details

Best For

Beginners

N/A

1 Minute Review

Finviz helps investors, especially beginners, by helping visualize data on thousands of assets across several categories.

Best For

• Beginners
• Charting
• Data visualization

Pros

• Technical analysis
• Trend tracking
• Backtesting

Cons

• You may want something that is easier to skim

Best for: Investors seeking a free or low-cost stock screener with broad market coverage and simplicity – great for swing traders and beginners.

Pricing: Free version with 15-minute delayed quotes and a 7-day free trial. FINVIZ*Elite (premium) costs $39.50/month. The premium adds real-time data, advanced features and ad-free use.

Key features: Finviz (Financial Visualizations) offers a web-based stock screener that’s incredibly popular for its ease of use and wide range of filters. Without even logging in, you can screen stocks by dozens of criteria, including market cap, sector, price, valuation metrics, technical indicators and more.

The interface is straightforward: filter options on the left, results table on the right. Finviz also provides signature visual tools like heat maps (to see market movers by sector at a glance) and charts for each stock (with basic technical patterns auto-drawn). The free version updates quotes on a 15-minute delay, whereas Elite subscribers get real-time quotes, pre-market data, advanced charts, backtesting and alerts via email. Finviz includes other useful pages like top gainers/losers, insider trading transactions, news feeds and correlation maps, making it a one-stop shop for quick market analysis.

Pros

• Robust free functionality: The free screener gives access to most filters and is sufficient for end-of-day screening needs. No cost to get started and no software installation (runs in your browser)
• User-friendly interface: Finviz’s layout is clean and simple. You can filter and see results immediately and even non-tech-savvy users find it easy to navigate
• Wide range of filters: Combines descriptive filters (sector, price, etc.), fundamental filters (P/E, EPS growth, dividend yield) and technical filters (pattern, RSI, candlestick formations) – catering to many strategies
• Visualization tools: The heat map and group performance charts provide a great visual summary of market trends. Also, stock charts in the screener results include technical patterns drawn for quick insight

Cons

• Delayed data (free): The free version’s data is not real-time (15-minute delay for U.S. markets), which is a drawback if you need up-to-the-second information or intraday scanning. Real-time scanning requires the paid Elite
• Limited alerts and backtests on free plan: Only Elite members can set automated alerts or perform strategy backtesting. Free users must monitor screens manually and can’t save more complex custom scans without an account
• Ads and visuals on free version: The free interface has advertisements and some features, like advanced charts, are locked. The overall experience (while very functional) is more basic until you pay to remove ads and unlock extras
• Support for non-US markets is limited: Finviz primarily covers U.S. stocks (plus some forex and crypto data). Investors looking to screen international stocks (outside the U.S.) will find coverage lacking compared to some global screeners

Why it stands out: Finviz has become almost synonymous with “free stock screener” – it’s often the first tool new investors discover. We highlight it here because it delivers tremendous value at no cost. For a casual investor or someone just learning, Finviz allows you to run a multitude of screens and get ideas without paying anything. The learning curve is nearly zero; you can start screening within seconds of visiting the site. Despite being free, it’s quite comprehensive, covering both fundamental and technical angles. While it’s not as advanced as some paid platforms, Finviz strikes an excellent balance between simplicity and functionality.

4. Best for Fundamental Analysis: Stock Rover

Best For

Professional Investors

Overall Rating

get started securely through Stock Rover’s website

More Details

Best For

Professional Investors

N/A

1 Minute Review

Stock Rover is a comprehensive stock analysis and screening tool that gives investors access to high-quality research tools, educational content, expert analysis and more. Stock Rover goes well beyond standard analysis tools, offering account holders 1 of the most comprehensive sets of screening criteria and research qualifications that we’ve seen. For example, users can filter investment opportunities using over 650 metrics with Premium Plus access.

Stock Rover offers 4 different plan tiers, which can become confusing for new investors who aren’t exactly sure which tools they’ll use. However, free accounts offer a wide range of functionality that gives users a better feel for Stock Rover’s setup, along with a free trial of Premium Plus functionality. Getting started with a Stock Rover account is also exceptionally easy — we were able to open our free account in under 60 seconds.  

Best For

• Professional investors who need high-quality analysis and research tools
• Visual learners who benefit from seeing data laid out using charts and graphs
• Anyone searching for the widest array of screening metrics

Pros

• Incredibly comprehensive range of investment analysis tools
• Over 650 screening criteria included on Premium Plus plans
• Simple account opening and brokerage account linking
• Free accounts available

Cons

• Wide variety of plan options that can be more confusing for new investors

Best for: Fundamental investors and researchers – those who deeply analyze financial metrics, compare company fundamentals and build long-term portfolios (value investors, dividend hunters, etc.).

Pricing: $7.99 to $27.99 per month for paid plans (Essentials, Premium, Premium Plus). A limited Free plan exists (basic research and watchlists). All new users get a 14-day free trial of Premium upon signup.

Key features: Stock Rover is like a financial analyst’s Swiss Army knife. It offers a robust stock screening and research platform with over 650 metrics available to filter or display. You can screen for everything from simple metrics (P/E ratio, market cap) to very specific criteria (5-year free cash flow growth, dividend payout ratio under a threshold, etc.).

Uniquely, Stock Rover lets you chart fundamental metrics over time – for example, you can plot revenue or earnings for multiple companies to visually compare trends. The platform’s dashboard is highly customizable, featuring detailed tables where you can add any data columns you want, side-by-side stock comparisons and even portfolio tracking. It comes with pre-built screeners (like “Undervalued dividend stocks” or “High growth tech”) and model portfolios.

Stock Rover’s data coverage is extremely broad: it aggregates years of financial statements, analyst estimates, sector averages and more. Essentially, it aims to eliminate the need to comb through SEC filings – you can scan and dig into financials all in one place. It updates data daily (with quotes in real time or near real time for subscribers). For long-term investors, Stock Rover also provides portfolio analytics, including future income projections (for dividends), portfolio rebalancing tools and scoring systems to rate stocks.

Pros

• Extensive fundamental metrics: With 650+ selectable metrics, Stock Rover offers one of the most comprehensive sets of fundamental and financial data points on the market. You can screen for pretty much any fundamental factor (growth rates, valuation multiples, margins, returns, etc.) and even create custom formulas
• In-depth research & comparisons: It’s not just a screener – you can compare stocks head-to-head, read detailed stock research reports and view historical financials easily. It’s like a spreadsheet and database combined, tailored for stock analysis
• Customizable and powerful interface: You can personalize the layout, add the metrics that matter to you as columns and even create dashboards. Many users love the ability to chart fundamentals and see data trends for a company directly in the app
• Affordable for the feature set: Plans starting around $8/month provide a lot of value (the essentials plan itself unlocks most screener functionality). Even the top Premium Plus plan (~$28/month) is cheaper than many competitors’ mid-tier plans
• Portfolio management features: If you manage a portfolio, Stock Rover helps track your holdings, analyze diversification and get alerts on portfolio-related news. Dividend investors benefit from tools like the future income calendar and safe dividend screeners
• Integrated news and research content: The platform includes news headlines, investor presentations and even the ability to integrate your brokerage for tracking (read-only). It strives to be a one-stop hub for fundamental investors

Cons

• Not real-time trade oriented: Stock Rover is not designed for day trading or tick-by-tick scanning. It’s more for analysis; while it updates quotes to the minute, it’s not about intraday pattern scanning or ultra-fast alerts
• Steeper learning curve for advanced features: Because it’s so feature-rich and akin to a spreadsheet, new users might feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of data and options. Mastering custom screens and layouts takes some learning (though they provide templates and tutorials)
• Free version is very limited: While a free plan exists, it offers only basic market data and news and quickly pushes you toward the paid features. Serious screening requires a paid subscription after the trial

Why it stands out: For fundamental analysis enthusiasts, Stock Rover is a gold mine. We picked it as the best for fundamentals because it truly leaves no stone unturned when evaluating a company’s financial health and performance. In 2026, with markets placing a premium on quality and earnings strength amid economic uncertainties, having a tool that can quickly screen and compare fundamental data is crucial. 

Stock Rover sets itself apart by bridging screening and research – you don’t just get a list of stocks; you can dive deeper into each result within the same platform. It’s like having a Bloomberg-like research terminal tailored for stock pickers (at a tiny fraction of the cost). 

5. Best for Global Markets & Charting: TradingView

Best For

Charts

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through Tradingview’s website

More Details

Best For

Charts

N/A

1 Minute Review

TradingView is one of the most widely used platforms for financial charts, technical analysis and trading. It gives 100M traders and investors access to interactive charts, screeners, alerts, watchlists, market data, community ideas, paper trading and broker integrations in one web-based platform.

Whether you trade stocks, ETFs, Bitcoin, gold, futures, forex, cryptocurrencies or options, TradingView helps you analyze markets with professional-grade charts and real-time market data.

Best For

• Professional investors
• Investors with programming experience
• Traders who need minute-by-minute updates

Pros

• Impressive selection of research tools
• Comprehensive stock screening
• Free accounts available
• Wide selection of engaging educational resources

Cons

• Customer service choices not all-inclusive
• Higher-tier plans out of some investors’ budgets
• Certain areas of the website poorly organized

Best for: Traders and investors who want powerful charting and the ability to screen assets across global markets, including stocks, forex and cryptocurrencies – plus a large social/community aspect.

Pricing: Free Basic plan, paid plans from $12.95 to $56.49 per month (Pro, Pro+, Premium). Discounts for annual subscriptions. A 30-day free trial is usually available for paid tiers.

Key features: TradingView is widely recognized for its top-notch charting platform and it also includes integrated screeners for various asset classes. The stock screener on TradingView covers many international exchanges (U.S., Europe, Asia, etc.), making it ideal for those looking beyond just U.S. markets.

You can filter stocks by fundamentals (P/E, EPS, etc.), technical conditions (overbought indicators, chart patterns) and even TradingView’s proprietary ratings (like “strong buy” or “sell” based on multiple indicators). TradingView’s real strength is its chart-centric workflow: you can run a screen and then pull up a detailed interactive chart for each result with a single click.

Charts come with an extensive library of 100+ built-in technical indicators and drawing tools, and you can even apply custom scripts (written in TradingView’s Pine Script language) for bespoke indicators or scans. In addition, TradingView has a huge community – users publish trading ideas and custom screeners that you can browse for inspiration. 

Pros

• Excellent charting interface: TradingView is often considered the best charting tool available to the public. Charts are highly customizable, smooth and packed with indicators. For visual traders, this is a big advantage
• Global market coverage: Unlike many screeners that focus on U.S. equities, TradingView allows screening of stocks from dozens of exchanges worldwide. You can also screen forex and crypto markets – beneficial if you diversify internationally or across asset classes
• Active community and shared scripts: The platform’s social features let you see screening strategies and indicators developed by other users. You can copy or tweak community-created screeners and get new ideas from published trade setups
• Alerts and customization: You can set up to 400 alerts on the top premium plan. Alerts can be based on simple things like price or on complex custom conditions (if you code them in Pine Script). This means your TradingView can watch the market for your criteria 24/7 and notify you instantly

Cons

• Real-time data for some exchanges requires fees: TradingView’s real-time data for major U.S. exchanges is free for basic use, but some international exchanges or Level 2 data might require purchasing data packages. Free users get real-time crypto and most forex, but stock quotes might be delayed unless you’re on a paid plan or add data (e.g. NYSE real-time)
• Fundamental data not as deep: The stock screener includes fundamental filters, but it’s not nearly as comprehensive as something like Stock Rover for deep financial analysis. TradingView is more skewed to technical and general metrics. For example, you can filter by P/E or EPS growth, but you won’t find 600+ fundamental metrics here
• Limited screening criteria on free plan: The number of filters you can apply simultaneously, and some advanced screening fields, might be restricted on the free plan. Also, you might encounter ad pop-ups on the free version, which can be distracting
• No broker integration for equity trades (in many regions): TradingView does allow trading through select brokers (like TradeStation, OANDA, etc.), but it’s mostly for forex/CFD. Stock trading integration is limited. So you’ll likely use TradingView for analysis and then place trades on your brokerage platform separately

Why it stands out: TradingView earns its place in this list by being one of the most versatile and widely used platforms among traders globally. Many traders discuss ideas on TradingView – it’s almost a social network for chartists. The ability to scan markets around the world on one platform is a huge plus as investors become more globally focused.

For example, you could screen European stocks for a certain technical pattern today, U.S. stocks for fundamentals tomorrow and cryptos for momentum on the weekend, all within TradingView. The ecosystem around it (with user-generated content and scripts) means it’s constantly evolving with new indicators and strategies. If you value a beautiful chart interface and want a screener that integrates directly with your chart analysis, TradingView is ideal. 

6. Best for Technical Analysis Automation: TrendSpider

Best For

Automated Technical Analysis

Overall Rating

Read Review

Get started securely through TrendSpider’s website

More Details

Best For

Automated Technical Analysis

N/A

1 Minute Review

TrendSpider is a unique new offering in the world of technical analysis, offering a wealth of automatic features and AI-assisted technical know-how that will wow even experienced traders. Though TrendSpider’s software can be expensive depending on the package, professional traders who want to get in, track their stocks and move on with their day will love TrendSpider’s focus on customization and personalized alerts.

Best For

• Automated Technical Analysis
• Automated Dynamic Price Alerts

Pros

• Tons of automatic technical analysis tools
• Personalized alert settings
• Free one-on-one user training sessions.

Cons

• A learning curve for new users
• Can only be used in a single browser at a time
• No desktop platform option

Best for: Technical traders and analysts who want to leverage automation – detecting chart patterns, trendlines and setting intelligent alerts – to enhance their trading. Great for swing traders and those who love technical strategies.

Pricing: Plans start at $89 per month for Standard, $149 per month for Premium and $199 per month for Enhanced when billed monthly. Annual subscriptions lower the effective monthly cost to roughly $82, $137 and $183. 7-day free trial available.

Key features: TrendSpider is an advanced charting and automated technical analysis platform. Its hallmark feature is automated pattern recognition – the platform automatically plots trendlines, support/resistance levels, Fibonacci retracements and candlestick patterns on charts, saving you time and potentially revealing patterns you might miss.

The Market Scanner allows you to create scans for technical conditions across multiple timeframes. For example, you could scan for stocks where the 15-minute chart has a bullish engulfing candle and the daily chart’s RSI is oversold – a multi-timeframe scan that many other screeners can’t do easily. TrendSpider supports scanning on many markets (U.S. stocks, ETFs, forex, crypto, etc.) with real-time or near real-time data. It also offers Raindrop charts, a unique volume-based chart type for visualizing price action in a different way.

Pros

• Automated pattern recognition: Saves you time and helps catch patterns you might miss. TrendSpider automatically draws trendlines, support/resistance and identifies candlestick patterns and chart formations, which is like having a tireless technical analyst on duty 24/7
• Multi-timeframe scanning: A standout feature – you can scan across multiple timeframes simultaneously (e.g., find stocks with a daily MACD crossover and a weekly RSI < 30). This multi-timeframe analysis is hard to replicate elsewhere and is very useful for swing traders
• Dynamic alerts: Set highly specific alerts on trendlines, indicators or combinations of conditions. Because alerts are cloud-based, you don’t need to keep your computer on – you’ll get notified via SMS, email or in-app when conditions are met. This makes it easier to trade without constant screen-watching
• Extensive technical tools: Over 200 built-in indicators, unique chart types (like Raindrop charts), volume-by-price analysis and more. It’s a technical trader’s playground, offering capabilities even some pro platforms lack

Cons

• Premium pricing for full features: While the Standard (Essential) plan is $39, it has notable limits (e.g., only 25 scan results). To unlock higher result counts (100 or unlimited) and advanced features, you need the higher tiers (Elite or Elite Plus), which can get pricey. Serious traders may find value in those plans, but casual users might not utilize all features
• Learning curve: The platform is powerful, which means complexity. Beginners not well-versed in technical analysis might feel overwhelmed by terms like multi-factor alerts, trading bots, etc. It takes time to fully exploit all capabilities, though TrendSpider University and tutorials help
• No built-in fundamental screening: This is a pure technical tool – you won’t find P/E or revenue growth filters here. If you need fundamental criteria in your scans, you’ll have to use another tool in conjunction
• Limited broker integration: Direct trading from TrendSpider is not its core function (it uses third-party integrations or API hooks). Unlike some broker-provided scanners, you cannot click a result and trade it instantly within TrendSpider – you’ll execute elsewhere, which adds a step

Why it stands out: TrendSpider represents the cutting edge of technical analysis automation. We selected it for this list because it tackles a big challenge for technical traders – being able to monitor many charts at once and not miss important signals. By automating trendline drawing and pattern recognition, it acts like an analyst that works tirelessly in the background.

The ability to drop an alert on a chart pattern (“alert me if the stock breaks out of this wedge”) and walk away is incredibly liberating for traders who don’t want to be glued to screens all day. In 2026, with markets moving fast, TrendSpider’s approach of combining machine accuracy with user-defined strategy is a glimpse into the future of trading platforms.

7. Best for Advanced Charting: TC2000

Best for: Active traders and technical investors who want a powerful desktop platform combining charting, screening and trading. Ideal for those who value speed, reliability and a long track record.

Pricing: $24.99 (Basic), $49.99 (Premium), $99.99 (Premium+) per month. No time-limited free trial, but a free version with delayed data is available to test the platform.

Key features: TC2000 has been an industry leader in stock software for over 25 years, consistently winning awards for its charting and scanning capabilities. It offers highly customizable charting with a large library of technical indicators and drawing tools, multi-chart layouts and the ability to plot fundamental data (like earnings, sales) directly on charts.

The integrated EasyScan feature allows you to create scans by selecting from a condition library or writing your own formulas. 

It also supports alerts (Gold users can set up to 100 alerts; Platinum up to 1000) for price or indicator conditions. TC2000 also includes an options scanner and options charting, which is useful for options traders. The platform is available on Windows, Mac, web and mobile, and for those who want to trade directly, TC2000 offers an integrated brokerage so you can trade stocks and options from the charts. Essentially, it’s a one-stop trading platform with robust scanning, rather than just a stand-alone screener.

Pros

• All-in-one platform: Combines scanning, charting and trading in one package. You can go from finding a stock to analyzing its chart to placing a trade seamlessly, which is great for efficiency
• Fast and efficient scanning: TC2000 is built for speed. Even large scans run quickly, and Platinum users get real-time continuous scan updates. It’s known for snappy performance, crucial for active traders
• Custom condition creation: The EasyScan feature and formula editor are very powerful. You don’t need to code in a traditional sense – their condition wizard lets non-programmers create complex scans step-by-step. Yet advanced users can write formulaic conditions for ultimate flexibility
• Reliable and mature: Having been around for decades, TC2000 is stable and well-tested. Users often praise its reliability – it rarely crashes or experiences issues, an important factor if you rely on it daily
• Multi-platform access: Use it on desktop or on-the-go. The mobile app and web version ensure you’re not tied to a single device. Charts and scans can sync across, so you can, for instance, run a scan on your laptop and then check the results later on your phone

Cons

• Dated interface (for some): The user interface is functional but not as modern or pretty as newer web-based tools. It’s very Windows-application-like. New traders who are used to slick mobile apps might find it a bit old-school in appearance
• Data feed add-ons: To get full real-time data for stocks, options, etc., you have to pay for data subscriptions (on top of the software). This can increase the effective cost, especially if you need multiple data feeds. Silver includes only end-of-day data; Gold/Platinum include real-time but still require feed fees for streaming
• Primarily U.S./Canada markets: TC2000’s strength is U.S. stocks and options. It doesn’t cover as many international exchanges or forex/crypto (it has some data for Canada). Those looking to scan foreign markets will find coverage limited
• Steeper learning for advanced features: Basic scans are easy, but to tap fully into custom formulas or the more intricate features (like creating custom indicators or PCF formulas), one has to learn from tutorials or documentation. Not as plug-and-play as simpler screeners

Why it stands out: TC2000 has a loyal following among traders because it strikes an excellent balance between power and practicality. We included it because it’s one of the few tools that can truly serve as a one-stop trading platform – you can do everything from finding trade candidates to executing orders.

If you appreciate robust desktop software and want full control over your scans (and maybe prefer to trade in the same place), TC2000 is a top choice. It’s especially great for technically oriented swing traders or active investors who don’t need flashy AI, but do need a dependable workhorse.

8. Best for Beginners & Visual Analysis: Simply Wall Street

Best For

Long-Term Investing Wisdom

Overall Rating

Get started securely through Simply Wall Street’s website

More Details

Best For

Long-Term Investing Wisdom

N/A

1 Minute Review

Simply Wall Street is designed to help you use long-term investing wisdom that will help you, as they say, “think in decades not months”. Using the platform, you gain access to:

• Learn about any business and gain insights on its performance
• Look through trading ideas that have been curated by experts
• Use a portfolio tracker to review what interests you and analyze those assets
• Learn more about the markets with updates on current events

With this information, you can zoom in on the right companies, choose a fair price at which you should invest and search all these assets for free. Other account options in Premium for $10 per month and Unlimited for $20 per month.

Best For

• Learn about any business for free
• Trading ideas
• Portfolio tracking

Pros

• Get updates on current events
• Low pricing for advanced plans
• Long-term investing information

Cons

• You may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information that’s available

Best for: Beginner to intermediate investors who focus on fundamentals and want an engaging, visual way to research and screen stocks. Also suitable for long-term investors seeking simplicity and clarity in data.

Pricing: Free plan (limited stock views per month), Premium $10.95/month, Unlimited $21.50/month (for expanded access). Up to 30-day free trial available for premium features.

Key features: Simply Wall Street (SWS) takes a unique approach by presenting stock data with graphics and intuitive visuals. Each stock is distilled into a colorful “snowflake” diagram that rates the company on five dimensions: value, future growth, past performance, financial health and dividends. This provides an at-a-glance summary of a stock’s fundamentals.

Simply Wall St emphasizes education: clicking on any metric or chart often gives a brief explanation of what it means, which is fantastic for newer investors learning the ropes. Another feature is screener alerts – you can save a screen and get notified when new stocks meet your criteria. There’s also a portfolio and watchlist tool: you can track your portfolio and the system will analyze it, pointing out things like over-concentration in one sector or flagging any of your stocks that have warning signs. 

Pros

• Highly intuitive visuals: The Snowflake and other infographics (like earnings growth forecasts vs. industry, past earnings history, etc.) make understanding a company’s story much easier. It’s a great way to quickly grasp strengths and weaknesses without drowning in numbers
• Beginner-friendly explanations: If you’re not familiar with a term like “PEG ratio” or “Return on Equity,” Simply Wall St often provides a definition or context at a click. It’s both a tool and a learning platform, which empowers users to improve their investing knowledge
• Screener alerting: The ability to set an alert when a new stock fits your criteria (say, a company becomes “undervalued” or a dividend yield rises above X) is very useful for long-term strategy. It means you don’t have to constantly re-run screens; the tool watches the market for you
• Affordable and accessible: The free tier allows casual use without paying. Premium is inexpensive relative to most other platforms, and even that might be waived or discounted via referrals or promos. This low cost lowers the barrier for investors who are just starting out or have smaller portfolios

Cons

• Not for active trading: There’s no real-time stock price action or technical charts. Quotes might be delayed slightly and the platform is designed for long-term analysis. If you’re looking to do day trading or need intra-day charts and signals, this isn’t the tool (it deliberately doesn’t cater to that)
• Simplification has limits: While the visual approach is great, it can oversimplify at times. Serious investors might want to dig deeper than the Snowflake – e.g., understanding the nuances of a company’s balance sheet beyond a single “health” score. Simply Wall St provides detailed financial statements too, but its strength is summaries, which might gloss over some detail
• Data frequency: Fundamental data updates when companies report earnings (quarterly or semi-annually), so screens based on fundamentals won’t reflect very recent developments until financials are updated. For most, this is fine, but it’s not a tool for rapid fundamental shifts or daily updates on fundamentals
• No custom metrics: You’re mostly limited to the provided metrics and scores. You can’t, for example, create a custom formula filter as you could in Stock Rover or TC2000. If the platform doesn’t calculate a metric, you can’t screen by it

Why it stands out: Simply Wall Street stands out by making stock analysis simple, fun and visually engaging. We included it because it solves a key problem for many investors: being overwhelmed by data. In 2026, there’s a growing cohort of new investors (thanks in part to the past few years’ retail investing boom) who need guidance and clarity. SWS provides that in spades – it feels approachable.

It’s the tool you’d recommend to a friend who just started investing and wants to understand how to pick stocks without reading textbooks. Moreover, its global reach and low cost mean it’s accessible to a wide audience. Despite its simplicity, it’s not just a toy – you can do serious portfolio analysis with it (it will highlight, for example, if one of your stocks has high debt or if your portfolio is too correlated to the tech sector, etc.).

9. Best AI Investing Assistant: Magnifi

Best For

AI Investing

Overall Rating

Read Review

Get 10 Free Shares securely through Magnifi’s website

More Details

Best For

AI Investing

N/A

1 Minute Review

Magnifi is an intelligently designed marketplace that allows investors to access data-backed information about various investment opportunities. The company combines standard brokerage tools with artificial intelligence (AI) to promote financial competence. Magnifi distinguishes itself from the crowd by offering an AI-powered search feature and an AI-powered investment assistant. Magnifi offers a technology-forward platform that aims to promote confident and capable long-term financial investments.

Best For

• Long-term investors
• Individuals interested in personalized assistance
• New investors that are eager to learn how to start investing

Pros

• Access to an AI-powered investing assistant with a Magnifi Personal account
• Commission-free investing
• Over 15,000 possible investments
• Available mobile application

Cons

• Limited methods of communication with customer service

Best for: Investors (including beginners) who want to leverage AI-driven search to find investment opportunities and even make trades within one platform. Ideal for those who prefer asking for stocks or funds in natural language rather than adjusting complex filters.

Pricing: $11 per month (Magnifi subscription). No commission fees for trading (brokerage is built-in). No formal free trial noted; basic account creation is free but full features require the subscription.

Key features: Magnifi is a relatively new entrant that bills itself as an intelligent investment platform or “marketplace.” Its standout feature is a natural language search bar that lets you find investments using plain English queries. For example, you could type “Find me tech stocks with high growth and low debt” or “ETFs for clean energy” and Magnifi will return results that match, using its AI to interpret your request.

Magnifi also acts as a brokerage, so you can buy or sell the stocks and ETFs you discover, with zero commissions on trades. The platform offers an AI assistant (like a chatbot) that can answer your finance questions or even provide explanations on why certain investments meet your query. It’s designed to be friendly for those who might otherwise be intimidated by traditional platforms.

Magnifi covers over 15,000 investment options (stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, etc.). It also provides educational content and insights – for instance, if you search for a concept, Magnifi might show you related investing ideas or a brief lesson. 

Pros

• Natural language screening: This is a game-changer for accessibility. You don’t need to know financial jargon or screener lingo; you can ask questions in plain language. It lowers the barrier to entry and can save time for experienced users too by quickly generating a list without manual filtering
• Integrated trading with no commissions: The convenience of finding and executing in one app is high. If Magnifi suggests a stock, you can buy it immediately in the same interface. With zero commissions, it’s competitive with other free-trading apps
• AI insights and personalization: The more you use it, the more it can tailor suggestions. For instance, it might learn your preferences (e.g. you often search for dividend stocks) and highlight relevant opportunities or news. It’s akin to having a smart assistant that watches the market for what you’re interested in
• Covers funds and stocks together: Magnifi doesn’t limit you to individual stocks. If a broad query might be better answered by an ETF or mutual fund (say you ask for “AI industry exposure”), it will show those too. This holistic approach might lead you to investment products you wouldn’t otherwise consider

Cons

• Unproven track record: As a newer platform, Magnifi doesn’t have decades of trust built up. Some users might be cautious about relying on AI recommendations without a long history of performance to evaluate
• Less hands-on control: Seasoned investors might find the “black box” nature of AI screening less satisfying. You can’t always be sure what criteria it’s using unless it tells you. If you prefer granular control over every filter, Magnifi’s approach might feel too opaque
• Feature depth: While AI is great for discovery, Magnifi might lack some of the depth of analysis found in other tools. For example, after getting results, the charts and fundamental details provided might be more basic – you might still need another platform for deep dive analysis on a company’s financials or technicals
• AI limitations and accuracy: Natural language processing can misunderstand queries at times. For instance, a very complex or poorly worded request might yield off-target results. Users should double-check the outputs rather than assuming the AI is 100% correct. It’s a tool to generate ideas, not a guaranteed stock-picker

Why it stands out: Magnifi is at the forefront of a trend to make investing more like a conversation and less like a spreadsheet exercise. We included Magnifi because it highlights how AI can simplify stock screening – you don’t adjust sliders or type in numeric values; you just tell the platform what you want in plain words and it does the work.

While it’s not a replacement for doing your own due diligence, Magnifi can dramatically cut down the time spent getting a shortlist of potential investments. For people who want the benefits of a screener without having to learn one or those who want a second opinion from AI on what to invest in, Magnifi is an innovative solution that’s only likely to get better as its algorithms learn and improve.

10. Best for Research & Stock Ideas: Seeking Alpha Premium

Best For

ETF Traders

Overall Rating

get started securely through Seeking Alpha’s website

More Details

Best For

ETF Traders

N/A

1 Minute Review

Seeking Alpha, the world’s largest investment community platform, provides investors with excellent financial informational content on stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and cryptocurrencies. The company has been at the forefront of alternative financial services since 2004 when it was founded by Wall Street analyst David Jackson. 

Seeking Alpha focuses on facilitating its subscribers’ wealth building and portfolio growth through providing extensive research on stocks and other assets. Seeking Alpha also empowers investors to make more informed investment decisions with a high-quality blend of fundamental analysis tools, market data, reliable news and crowdsourced debate. 

In addition to a free Basic service, the company currently offers 2 paid subscription products: Seeking Alpha Premium that caters to most investors and Seeking Alpha Pro that is aimed at high net worth individuals and investment professionals. The company also provides access to its Seeking Alpha Marketplace that lets you choose from more than 150 paid investment services.

Best For

• Investors
• Stock traders
• ETF traders

Pros

• World’s largest crowdsourced investment community
• In-depth financial market research
• Opinion and informational articles by highly experienced professionals
• Crowdsourced debate lets you interact directly with other traders or investors

Cons

• Focuses mostly on U.S. and Canadian stocks

Best for: Investors looking for a combination of quantitative screeners and qualitative research. Ideal for those who love to dive into stock analysis articles, expert opinions and comprehensive data to complement their screening process.

Pricing: Seeking Alpha Premium usually runs $299 per year when billed annually, or about $29.99 per month on a month-to-month plan. Discounts and intro offers (such as a low-cost first month) are frequently available.

Key features: Seeking Alpha Premium isn’t a traditional stock screener in isolation – it’s an entire ecosystem for investment research. However, it includes a powerful stock screener that Premium members can use to filter stocks by a variety of criteria, notably including Seeking Alpha’s proprietary ratings.

The screener allows filtering by fundamental metrics and by ratings: Quant rating, Wall Street analyst rating and SA Author rating. The Quant Rating is a standout feature: it’s an algorithmic stock rating system that grades stocks as Strong Buy, Buy, Hold, etc. based on factors like value, growth, profitability, momentum and analysts’ earnings revisions. Many investors use the quant scores to find top-rated stocks quickly.

Another feature is Portfolio monitoring – you can input your portfolio and get alerts on news or new articles for your stocks and see how each holding scores on quant and other metrics. Essentially, Seeking Alpha Premium blends hard data with rich content, giving you both the numbers and the narratives behind stocks.

Pros

• Unique screening factors (Quant & Ratings): Seeking Alpha’s quant ratings have a strong track record and are a quick way to spot potentially outperforming stocks. Also, being able to filter by sentiment (analyst ratings or author ratings) is something most screeners don’t offer
• Depth of research and insight: For any stock that pops up from a screen, you can immediately access multiple independent write-ups, bull and bear cases and even comments from other investors. This provides context beyond the raw numbers and helps you make more informed decisions
• Community and insight: The platform’s huge community means for almost any stock, you’ll find someone talking about it. The comment sections often add additional insight or alternative viewpoints. It’s like an investing forum merged with professional analysis
• Broad coverage and tools: From large caps to obscure small-caps, most stocks have some coverage or at least data available. Premium gives access to earnings call transcripts, investor presentations and other data that might be hard to find elsewhere without a Bloomberg terminal. It’s a poor man’s Bloomberg in some ways augmented by crowd-sourced knowledge

Cons

• Not designed for trading or real-time signals: Seeking Alpha is about research and discovery, not execution. There’s no live charting for day trading or real-time scanner for intraday moves. You wouldn’t use it during the trading day to scalp stocks; it’s for due diligence and idea sourcing
• Subscription paywall: While there is a free version of the site, it limits you (a few articles per month, no advanced data). To really utilize the screener and read articles without restriction, you have to pay. Some investors may be hesitant to add another subscription to their budget if they already pay for brokerage tools or other services
• Variable content quality: Anyone can contribute articles to Seeking Alpha (they do have editorial standards, but it’s crowdsourced content). This means the quality can vary. Some authors are top-notch analysts; others might be less experienced. You have to spend time to identify which voices are trustworthy. Also, popular stocks might have dozens of articles a week (repeating similar info), whereas very small stocks might have little to none – coverage isn’t uniform
• Information overload: Paradoxically, having so much information can be overwhelming. If you screen out 10 stocks and each has 5-10 recent articles plus hundreds of comments, that’s a lot to sift through. It takes effort to distill consensus or actionable insights from the abundance of opinions

Why it stands out: Seeking Alpha Premium is unique on this list because it goes beyond pure screening to deliver full-fledged investment research. We chose it as a top tool in 2026 due to its unrivaled combination of data and content. In a single platform, you can discover a stock (say, a “Strong Buy” quant-rated small-cap), check its key stats and earnings history and then read analyses from multiple perspectives – all without leaving the site.

Comparison Table of Top Stock Scanners/Screeners

To help evaluate the platforms at a glance, here’s a side-by-side comparison of key features:

How to Choose the Right Stock Screener for Your Needs

With so many great options, how do you decide which stock screener or scanner is right for you? The “best” tool will depend on your individual trading style, goals and budget. Here are some considerations to help you make the choice (tailored to different types of investors):

Identify Your Strategy and Timeframe

Are you a day trader, swing trader or long-term investor? Day traders and active swing traders will require real-time data and fast alerts – a platform like Benzinga Pro or Trade Ideas makes sense for them due to the live news and AI-driven scans. Long-term or fundamental investors might prioritize deep data and ease of use – a tool like Stock Rover or Simply Wall St would be a better fit for analyzing fundamentals over fast reaction time.

Technical vs. Fundamental Focus

Choose a tool that aligns with the type of analysis you lean towards. If you’re a technical trader, look for features like advanced charting, technical indicators and pattern recognition (TrendSpider, TradingView or TC2000 excel here). If you’re more into fundamental analysis, you’ll want detailed financial metrics, ratios and perhaps stock ratings (Stock Rover or Seeking Alpha Premium for their fundamental screeners and research). Some platforms offer both, but usually excel at one. 

Ease of Use vs. Customization

There’s often a trade-off between power and simplicity. Beginners or those who prefer a plug-and-play approach might favor a user-friendly interface with pre-set screens (Simply Wall St’s ready-made filters or Magnifi’s natural language search). In contrast, advanced users may demand the ability to create highly specific custom screens and formulaic conditions – they would be happier with the likes of TC2000 or Stock Rover, which offer extensive customization. Be honest with yourself about your comfort level; the best screener is one you’ll actually use effectively. An intuitive interface can save time and reduce errors.

Data Speed and Accuracy

If timing is critical in your trading (for example, if you’re scanning for intraday momentum or news catalysts), real-time data is a must. Check whether the platform offers streaming real-time quotes or if it’s delayed. Trade Ideas, Benzinga Pro and others explicitly provide real-time scanning. On the other hand, if you’re doing end-of-day analysis or weekly portfolio adjustments, a 15-minute delay on a free tool like Finviz won’t hurt. Also, consider data reliability – established platforms with direct data feeds (like TC2000 or TradingView) can offer more trust in data accuracy.

Market Coverage

Not all screeners cover every market. If you want to scan international stocks or other assets (forex, crypto), ensure the platform supports it. TradingView, for instance, is great for global markets (stocks across dozens of exchanges plus forex and crypto). Stock Rover focuses on North America. Make sure your chosen tool covers the exchanges or asset classes you care about.

Budget and Value

Screeners range from free to hundreds of dollars a month. You don’t necessarily need to spend a lot – there are excellent free or low-cost options. However, paying for a premium tool can be worth it if it provides capabilities that match your strategy (e.g., real-time alerts that help you make profitable trades or data that saves you research time). Consider taking advantage of free trials to test a platform’s value before committing. Also, factor in hidden costs: some platforms require separate data subscriptions (e.g., real-time feeds in TC2000) or have add-ons. Balance your budget against how much you’ll use the tool.

Support and Community

If you anticipate needing help or want to share ideas, the community around a tool can matter. TradingView has a large social community for sharing charts and screeners. Seeking Alpha has its article comments. Some platforms have active forums or customer support (for instance, TrendSpider offers one-on-one training sessions for users and Stock Rover has responsive support). Especially if you’re new, a platform with good educational resources (tutorials, webinars) and support can shorten your learning curve.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Best Stock Scanners and Screeners in May 2026 by AJ Fabino appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.

Short selling is a sophisticated trading strategy that demands speed, precision and real access to hard-to-borrow shares. Whether you’re hedging or speculating, not all brokers are equipped to support active short sellers properly. We evaluated brokers based on real locate tools, margin transparency, borrow inventory and execution quality.

Best Broker for Short Selling: TradeZero

Best For

Active Short Sellers

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through TradeZero’s website

More Details

Best For

Active Short Sellers

N/A

1 Minute Review

TradeZero is an online broker and free stock trading platform that provides everything you need to successfully share and trade, including round-the-clock customer support. TradeZero provides four different trading state-of-the-art software programs with its services, a locator for sourcing shares for shorting, commission-free trades, and real-time streaming, to name a few of the features promoted on their website. The software is a unique and (potentially) affordable option for anyone interested in stock trading.

Best For

• Traders seeking high transparency and mobility in a stock trading program
• Those attracted to commission-free trades
• Those seeking a free version of a high-quality trading program

Pros

• 24/7 live customer support
• Uses ZeroWeb technology, a powerful level 2 online platform with direct market access
• Mobile app allows users to access stocks and trade in real-time while on the go

Cons

• Enforces Pattern Day Trading restrictions (accounts need to maintain a daily equity balance of at least $25k)
• Mobile app could offer more features

TradeZero’s trading tools — intentionally built for short sellers, providing active traders bi-directional trading experience. A five-time winner of Best Broker for Short Selling at the Benzinga Fintech Awards, it’s known for its patented locator system, sourcing shares from more than 14 liquidity providers including TZ Clear LLC.

Traders can choose from Single Use Locates or Pre-Borrows, while the locates credit-back program lets users possibly recoup up to 30% of fees on unused locates. Platforms like ZeroPro and ZeroMobile provide real-time short data across devices.

TradeZero has also rolled out ProScanner, a real-time U.S. equity scanner built directly into ZeroPro and TZ1 at no additional cost. Traders can create custom scans using price, volume, and technical filters, narrow symbols instantly, run up to three scan windows at once, and save preset setups for different market conditions — all without relying on third-party tools.

Order routing varies: TradeZero America and TradeZero International clients may place orders using the smart router or by directing trades through multiple routing options and order types, while TradeZero Canada clients trade through smart routing only.

Commission-free trading is available on NYSE, AMEX and NASDAQ stocks above $1 from 7 AM–8 PM ET.

• Minimum balance to short: $2500 for TradeZero America $500 for TradeZero Canada and TradeZero International
• Short locate tools: Yes, with patented locates system, Single Use Locates and Pre-Borrows
• Margin rate: Variable, with up to 6x leverage available
• Short locate tools: Yes, with patented locates system, Single Use Locates and Pre-Borrows
• International: Up to 6x intraday and up to 2x post-intraday
• Canada: Up to 3:1
• U.S.: Up to 4:1 intraday and 2:1 overnight on qualified stocks with a balance of $25,000 or more

Best for Professional Short Sellers: Interactive Brokers

Best For

Active and Global Traders

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through Interactive Brokers’s website

More Details

Best For

Active and Global Traders

N/A

1 Minute Review

Interactive Brokers is a comprehensive trading platform that gives you access to a massive range of securities at affordable prices. You can buy assets from all around the world from the comfort of your home or office with access to over 150 global markets. Options, futures, forex and fund trading are also available, and most traders won’t pay a commission on any purchase or sale.  

IBKR is geared primarily toward experienced traders and investors but now with the availability of free trades with IBKR Lite, casual traders can also acclimate to IBKR’s offerings.

Best For

• Access to international markets
• Active traders
• Detailed mobile app that makes trading simple
• Wide range of available account types and tradeable assets

Pros

• IB SmartRouting provides significant price improvement vs. industry
• Fractional trading allows investing regardless of share price
• Industry’s lowest margin rates
• Earn more by lending your fuly-paid shares

Cons

• Beginner investors might prefer a broker that offers a bit more hand-holding and educational resources

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) remains the gold standard for professional short sellers. With a starting margin rate of 5.14% APR (as of May 2026 per IBKR’s public rate schedule) and advanced HTB (hard-to-borrow) tools, IBKR provides elite-level access to global equity markets.

IBKR offers integrated locate services inside Trader Workstation (TWS), displaying short availability in real-time. It also supports fully customizable order types, including conditional stops and advanced routing which are critical for those navigating volatile short setups.

The platform complexity is a steep climb for new traders. IBKR is built for sophisticated investors who value speed, transparency and access to hundreds of global markets.

• Minimum balance to short: $2,000
• Short locate tools: Yes, free and paid HTB services
• Margin rate (as of May 2026): Starting at 5.14% (tiered)

Best for Hard-to-Borrow Inventory Access: CenterPoint Securities

Best For

Momentum traders

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through CenterPoint Securities’s website

More Details

Best For

Momentum traders

N/A

1 Minute Review

CenterPoint Securities is ideal for active traders who demand access to advanced tools and services. While investors and casual traders are likely to be content with the basic offerings of traditional online brokerages, active traders will benefit from CenterPoint’s suite of advanced trading tools. If you value execution quality, access to short inventory, advanced trading platforms, and accessible customer service, CenterPoint is an excellent choice.

Best For

• Intermediate to Advanced traders
• High-volume traders
• Momentum traders
• Short sellers

Pros

• Unrivaled access to short inventory
• Flexible order routing for improved executions
• Discounts for active traders
• Advanced platform with fast executions
• Reliable customer service

Cons

• Not designed for beginner or low-volume traders

If you specialize in shorting small-caps or ultra-low float stocks, CenterPoint Securities is built for you. CenterPoint has a deep hard-to-borrow list with over 8,000 securities and in-house locate services capable of securing shares others can’t touch.

CenterPoint caters to active traders with volume incentives and fast direct market routing. The platform requires a $30,000 minimum deposit and you can expect platform fees such as $120/month for CenterPoint Pro.

• Minimum balance to short: $30,000
• Short locate tools: Yes, paid HTB locates available
• Margin rate: 5.25%

Best for Professional Day Traders: Cobra Trading

Best For

High-Capital Short Sellers

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through Cobra Trading’s website

More Details

Best For

High-Capital Short Sellers

N/A

1 Minute Review

Cobra Trading is a direct access broker focused on access to short opportunities and order execution. Cobra has multiple short locate sources, giving traders access to the best short opportunities in the market. Cobra Trading also specializes in offering comprehensive, responsive customer service throughout the trading day. We recommend Cobra Trading to high-volume traders and short sellers.

Best For

• Short selling
• Market access
• Ease of use

Pros

• Very Competitive Commissions and Affordable Fees
• Heavy Discounts for Active Traders
• Access to numerous and deep Short Locate Inventories
• Multiple Clearing Relationships to support customized trading setups
• Offers multiple Trading Platforms
• No Overnight multipliers charged on Overnight Borrows
• 30+ Order Routing Venues with Fast Executions
• Direct Market Access, Algo and Smart Routes
• Automated Trading through FIX DMA and API Services
• Live Support, no Phone Queues & Online Chat Available.
• All Trade Support are in-house Licensed Brokers

Cons

• No trading under 25K
• Not a self-clearing firm

Cobra Trading is another serious player in the short selling space. Both DASTrader Pro and Sterling Trader Pro offer embedded locate monitors, allowing real-time short locates with minimal delay.

Cobra’s pricing is very competitive for active traders, with fees starting at $0.0015 per share if you move enough volume. As for initial deposit, you’ll need $27,000 to $30,000 to open an account depending on location. Cobra is unapologetically aimed at pros who prioritize speed and market access over beginner-friendly UX.

• Minimum balance to short: $27,000 for U.S. residents, $30,000 for non-US residents
• Short locate tools: Yes, integrated into DASTrader and Sterling
• Margin rate: 8%

Best for Budget-Conscious Short Sellers: Moomoo

Best For

Traders of all levels

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through Moomoo’s website

More Details

Best For

Traders of all levels

N/A

1 Minute Review

Investing is a long-term journey, and moomoo can help guide investors of all levels every step of the way. Utilized by over 21 million users worldwide – including in the US, Singapore, Australia, Japan, Malaysia and Canada – moomoo is an investment and trading platform that empowers investors with pro-grade, easy-to-use tools, data and insights.

moomoo provides advanced charting tools, technical analytics and Level 2 data for funded accounts, so investors have the resources to make more informed investment decisions. Users can access educational materials and interactive events, as well as share and learn through the inline community.

With a low-cost, competitive fee structure, moomoo can work for all investors.

Best For

• Novices
• Intermediate and advanced traders
• Active traders

Pros

• Equity and index options trading
• Commission free trading for US options, stocks and ETFs and 6.8% margin rate
• Wealth of free options tools and features, including customizable options chain, options calculator, unusual options activity, implied volatility analysis, 13 options strategies and 0 days to expiration (0DTE) options by volume
• Free Level 2 data for funded accounts
• Advanced charting tools with 100+ indicators, 37+ drawing tools and 20 candle patterns
• No minimum deposit to open an account
• 24/7 online chat support
• 5.1% APY in Cash Sweep program for new and qualified users

Cons

• Does not support crypto
• Does not support retirement accounts or mutual funds

Moomoo offers a cost-effective entry point for traders looking to short stocks without paying high commissions. While the platform does not charge direct commissions for short sales, traders should be aware that the margin rate stands at 6.8%. Moomoo supports a wide range of U.S. equities and provides extended trading hours, making it accessible for traders who value flexibility.

One of moomoo’s strongest advantages is transparency. The platform displays a stock’s initial margin requirement, maintenance margin requirement and cost to borrow upfront before a trader places a short sale. Although moomoo does not offer a traditional locate tool, it does provide hard-to-borrow (HTB) visibility, which helps users assess the feasibility of shorting specific stocks ahead of time.

• Minimum balance to short: $2,000
• Short locate tools: The moomoo trading app provides short sell analysis
• Margin rate: 6.8%

Best For

Active and Global Traders

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through Interactive Brokers’s website

More Details

Best For

Active and Global Traders

N/A

1 Minute Review

This latest groundbreaking technology is IBKR GlobalAnalyst, a new trading tool that helps investors compare the rate of PEG or price-earnings growth valuations and provide more immediate and comprehensive financial metrics of stocks, globally.

Recognizing that stock selection can be challenging for investors to compare the valuations of domestic and international stocks, Interactive Brokers created GlobalAnalyst to offer investors a simple, yet powerful tool to easily evaluate investment opportunities around the world.

Using GlobalAnalyst, investors can search for stocks by region, country, industry, market capitalization and currency to uncover undervalued stocks worldwide. The resulting table displays the current market and financial metrics, including the PEG Ratio. The PEG Ratio is the PE ratio divided by the three-year compound earnings growth rate, and smaller PEG Ratios typically indicate undervalued companies.

Best For

• Price earnings growth valuations

Pros

• Easily evaluate investment opportunities

Cons

Best For

Momentum traders

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through CenterPoint Securities’s website

More Details

Best For

Momentum traders

N/A

1 Minute Review

CenterPoint Securities is ideal for active traders who demand access to advanced tools and services. While investors and casual traders are likely to be content with the basic offerings of traditional online brokerages, active traders will benefit from CenterPoint’s suite of advanced trading tools. If you value execution quality, access to short inventory, advanced trading platforms, and accessible customer service, CenterPoint is an excellent choice.

Best For

• Intermediate to Advanced traders
• High-volume traders
• Momentum traders
• Short sellers

Pros

• Unrivaled access to short inventory
• Flexible order routing for improved executions
• Discounts for active traders
• Advanced platform with fast executions
• Reliable customer service

Cons

• Not designed for beginner or low-volume traders

Best For

Day Traders and Scalpers

Overall Rating

Read Review

Get started securely through Guardian Trading’s website

More Details

Best For

Day Traders and Scalpers

N/A

1 Minute Review

Guardian Trading, a division of Velocity Clearing (“Guardian”) is a brokerage designed for active traders seeking cost savings, high-performance tools, comprehensive services and proactive client support to enhance their trading performance.. The platform prioritizes speed, control and cost efficiency for active and experienced traders by offering real-time trading with access to short locates and overnight borrows , , enabling them to maximize their trading potential. Guardian trading is a sponsored access brokerage, meaning that when you buy, sell or execute trades on the platform, you are utilizing Guardian to choose which exchange or venue where you want to execute your trades. The platform offers much flexibility, facilitating seamless trading, short-selling, overnight borrowing and more. While you might have a lot of brokerage options depending on your trading strategy, Guardian Trading’s comprehensive suite of services makes it a strong choice. Its proprietary stock locate system, cutting-edge clearing procedures, execution platforms and competitive securities lending programs make the broker a one-stop shop for traders.

Guardian Trading offers a full suite of trading solutions and services for active traders in options and equities. Read on for a comprehensive review of this firm including its benefits, core service offerings and the potential risks associated with its usage.

Best For

• Day traders, scalpers and active swing traders seeking a reputable brokerage offering low-latency execution, advanced order types and real-time data for rapid and precise trading decisions to optimize their strategies
• Short-sellers seeking market access with robust proprietary stock location systems and comprehensive securities lending services to facilitate short-selling
• Seasoned and experienced traders and investors seeking complete control over their trading strategies and access to robust trading analytics
• High-frequency traders and momentum traders

Pros

• In-house, high-tech clearing
• Access to short-selling inventories
• Competitive and affordable fees and commissions
• Robust and execution platforms
• Powerful stock location system and lending offerings for overnight borrows
• 30+ order routing options, including algo and dark pool routes, for improved execution
• Facilitate API connections for automated and customized trading strategies
• Discounts available for active and professional traders
• Efficient and responsive customer support via LiveChat and phone
• Institutional-grade technical infrastructure and trading tools

Cons

• No educational resources. The platform can be challenging for traders who require guidance or hand-holding
• Beginner or intermediate traders may need steeper learning curves to understand the market mechanics, trading strategies and the use of advanced trading tools
• The applicable fees and commissions can quickly add up for frequent traders

Best For

Active Short Sellers

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through TradeZero’s website

More Details

Best For

Active Short Sellers

N/A

1 Minute Review

TradeZero is an online broker and free stock trading platform that provides everything you need to successfully share and trade, including round-the-clock customer support. TradeZero provides four different trading state-of-the-art software programs with its services, a locator for sourcing shares for shorting, commission-free trades, and real-time streaming, to name a few of the features promoted on their website. The software is a unique and (potentially) affordable option for anyone interested in stock trading.

Best For

• Traders seeking high transparency and mobility in a stock trading program
• Those attracted to commission-free trades
• Those seeking a free version of a high-quality trading program

Pros

• 24/7 live customer support
• Uses ZeroWeb technology, a powerful level 2 online platform with direct market access
• Mobile app allows users to access stocks and trade in real-time while on the go

Cons

• Enforces Pattern Day Trading restrictions (accounts need to maintain a daily equity balance of at least $25k)
• Mobile app could offer more features

Best For

High-Capital Short Sellers

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through Cobra Trading’s website

More Details

Best For

High-Capital Short Sellers

N/A

1 Minute Review

Cobra Trading is a direct access broker focused on access to short opportunities and order execution. Cobra has multiple short locate sources, giving traders access to the best short opportunities in the market. Cobra Trading also specializes in offering comprehensive, responsive customer service throughout the trading day. We recommend Cobra Trading to high-volume traders and short sellers.

Best For

• Short selling
• Market access
• Ease of use

Pros

• Very Competitive Commissions and Affordable Fees
• Heavy Discounts for Active Traders
• Access to numerous and deep Short Locate Inventories
• Multiple Clearing Relationships to support customized trading setups
• Offers multiple Trading Platforms
• No Overnight multipliers charged on Overnight Borrows
• 30+ Order Routing Venues with Fast Executions
• Direct Market Access, Algo and Smart Routes
• Automated Trading through FIX DMA and API Services
• Live Support, no Phone Queues & Online Chat Available.
• All Trade Support are in-house Licensed Brokers

Cons

• No trading under 25K
• Not a self-clearing firm

The post Best Brokers for Short Selling in May 2026 by AJ Fabino appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.

Analysts are saying that Nvidia could hit $973 by 2030. Bullish on NVDA? Invest in Nvidia on SoFi with no commissions. If it’s your first time signing up for SoFi, you’ll receive up to $1,000 in stock when you first fund your account. Plus, get a 1% bonus if you transfer your investments and keep them there until December 31, 2025.

NVIDIA Corp (Nasdaq: NVDA) has grown from just a chipmaker to the backbone of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. As enterprises scale up generative AI, autonomous vehicles, and data-driven cloud infrastructure, Nvidia’s graphics processing units (GPUs) have become an essential tool across sectors. After a 171% surge in 2024 and another 39% gain in 2025, some investors may wonder whether Nvidia is now priced too high for continued upside.

This article outlines Nvidia’s current financial standing and uses a structured forecasting methodology to estimate potential price targets for 2026, 2027 and 2030. We’ll explore a blend of analyst sentiment, algorithmic projections and valuation data to frame Nvidia’s possible path over the short and long term.

Current Overview

As of April 2026, Nvidia is trading above the $201 level, up more than 6% year-to-date. The company holds a market capitalization of more than $4.90 trillion, with a trailing P/E ratio around 41.18. The figure is elevated by market standards, but it is lower than its recent historical average, which hovered closer to 68.

Nvidia’s fundamentals remain strong. Its data center division continues to drive revenue, capitalizing on surging AI demand across big tech, cloud services and emerging enterprise applications. Gross margins remain near 70%, and Nvidia consistently reports earnings surprises above consensus expectations.

From a sentiment perspective, Nvidia is still a favorite among institutional investors and analysts. According to our Analyst Ratings, analysts rate NVDA as a Buy or Strong Buy. The average 12-month price target from 35 analysts sits around $274.91, with a low target near $210 and a high at $360. Still, concerns about valuation, rising competition from AMD and Intel and regulatory scrutiny around AI infrastructure have some investors questioning how much upside remains.

Quick Snapshot Table of Predictions 

Bull and Bear Case

Bull Case

Nvidia continues to deliver industry-leading profitability, with returns on equity and assets among the best in tech. Net profit margins sit above 50%, and gross margins remain near 70%. Most analysts are bullish and valuation multiples like P/E and forward P/E have come down from their highs. The company also maintains a low debt load and strong free cash flow growth, which supports the long-term bull thesis tied to AI and data center dominance.

Bear Case

Growth is beginning to slow across several key metrics, including EPS, net income and free cash flow, all of which are now expanding at a slower pace than their 3-year averages. Some valuation indicators like PEG, EV/Sales and EV/EBITDA remain elevated versus industry peers. Nvidia’s dividend yield is minimal, and recent dividend growth has stalled. The bear case is built on decelerating financials and lingering concerns that the stock is priced for perfection.

Nvidia Stock Price Prediction for 2026

Nvidia’s outlook for 2026 remains constructive, with analysts projecting moderate upside from current levels. The company continues to trade at a premium valuation, reflecting its leadership in AI and high-performance computing. If earnings growth keeps pace with expectations, Nvidia could maintain its momentum and justify its elevated multiple.

That said, any slowdown in growth or margin compression could trigger a pullback, underscoring the stock’s sensitivity to shifts in demand for GPUs and AI infrastructure.

Nvidia Stock Price Prediction for 2027

Nvidia’s path in 2027 will likely be shaped by how well it sustains pricing power and operational scale amid rising competition. Some models suggest a moderation in performance as demand cools or valuations normalize, reflecting the risk of technical exhaustion after years of outsized gains.

At the same time, Nvidia’s entrenched role in high-performance computing and its deep integration across enterprise cloud ecosystems provide a strong counterbalance. These fundamentals could help extend revenue growth even if the broader market shows signs of cooling.

Nvidia Stock Price Prediction for 2030

Looking ahead to 2030, Nvidia’s trajectory will hinge on the depth and durability of the AI revolution. If the company can sustain its market leadership and scale earnings alongside rising demand, long-term models suggest meaningful upside potential. Conservative growth assumptions imply strong compounding returns, with the possibility of Nvidia reaching valuations well above today’s levels if execution remains consistent.

Risks remain tied to competitive pressure from AMD, Intel, and emerging challengers, as well as margin compression, cyclical product disruptions, or tighter regulatory oversight of AI. Even so, if Nvidia continues to innovate and expand its ecosystem, the stock could finish the decade as one of the most valuable names in global technology.

Investment Considerations

Nvidia fits squarely in the growth-investor category. It’s a bet on future innovation, not current yield. Institutional investors continue to hold large positions, and retail sentiment remains strong despite valuation concerns. Nvidia does pay a dividend, though at a yield under 0.02%, it functions more as a signal of financial health than an income source.

Key risks include high expectations baked into the current price, global supply chain pressure and increasing regulatory focus on AI hardware and data security. On the flip side, Nvidia’s alignment with megatrends keeps its long-term story compelling.

Earnings reports, product roadmap updates and regulatory decisions will serve as major catalysts in the months and years ahead.

The post Nvidia Stock Price Prediction: 2026, 2027, 2030 by AJ Fabino appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.

Cryptocurrency exchanges compete aggressively for new users, and sign-up bonuses have become a standard acquisition tool across the industry. These promotional offers range from small token rewards to substantial cash equivalents, designed to lower the barrier to entry for newcomers while incentivizing experienced traders to diversify across platforms.

Understanding the mechanics, requirements, and limitations of these bonuses helps investors evaluate whether a given offer represents genuine value or simply marketing noise. The following breakdown examines current sign-up promotions from major exchanges, detailing what each platform offers, what actions trigger bonus eligibility, and which user profiles stand to benefit most from each structure.

Best Free Crypto Sign-Up Bonuses in January 2026

Coinbase: Up to $200 in Crypto

Best For

Active Crypto Traders

Overall Rating

Read Review

earn free crypto securely through Coinbase’s website

More Details

Disclosure: Sum of median estimated savings and rewards earned, per user in 2021 across multiple Coinbase programs (excluding sweepstakes). This amount includes fee waivers from Coinbase One (excluding the subscription cost), rewards from Coinbase Card, and staking rewards. ³Crypto rewards is an optional Coinbase offer. Upon purchase of USDC, you will be automatically opted in to rewards. If you’d like to opt out or learn more about rewards, you can click here. The rewards rate is subject to change and can vary by region. Customers will be able to see the latest applicable rates directly within their accounts.

Best For

Active Crypto Traders

N/A

1 Minute Review

Coinbase is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges by trading volume, serving customers in over 100 countries and supporting hundreds of crypto coins and tokens. The platform features a user-friendly interface with options like staking and earning, as well as a “learn and earn” feature where users watch educational videos and answer questions to earn crypto assets. Trading fees can be high on the basic platform, but users can access the advanced platform for free.

Best For

• Coinbase is best for beginners because of its user-friendly interface.
• The availability of over 30 products caters to the needs of traders of every mindset.

Pros

• Coinbase offers a learn and earn program.
• You can earn coins and tokens by watching tutorials and answering crypto-related questions. This platform lets you earn crypto just by spending your fiat via a debit card as you normally would when you use Coinbase’s Visa debit card.
• Offer a wide variety of altcoins.
• Ideal for new investors.

Cons

• Complicated fee structure
• Does not support margin trading (only 3x on Pro version)

Coinbase operates as the largest regulated cryptocurrency exchange in the United States and maintains the highest brand recognition among retail investors new to digital assets. The current promotional structure offers new users up to $200 in cryptocurrency after completing account registration and executing their first trade of any size. The bonus amount is determined by a randomized digital wheel mechanism, with most outcomes falling between $3 and $10, though the platform advertises a maximum payout of $200.

The entry requirement involves minimal financial commitment, as Coinbase does not mandate a minimum trade size to trigger bonus eligibility. Users can execute a transaction as small as $2 and still qualify for the promotional spin. This low threshold makes the offer accessible to cautious newcomers testing cryptocurrency markets for the first time. However, the randomized payout structure means most participants receive significantly less than the advertised maximum, and the odds of winning $200 are not disclosed.

Coinbase supplements its sign-up bonus with an educational rewards program called Coinbase Earn, which compensates users for watching short videos about specific blockchain protocols and answering quiz questions. These learning modules typically award between $2 and $5 worth of the featured token per completed course. While the amounts are modest, they provide a risk-free method to accumulate small positions across multiple cryptocurrencies without deploying additional capital.

The platform imposes no holding period on bonus funds, allowing immediate withdrawal or conversion to other assets. This liquidity advantage distinguishes Coinbase from competitors that lock bonuses behind trading volume thresholds or time-based vesting schedules. The absence of withdrawal restrictions makes the offer particularly suitable for users who want to test platform functionality without long-term commitment. The randomized nature of the reward also means outcomes vary widely, and users should not base platform selection solely on the possibility of receiving the maximum bonus.

Coinbase’s structure favors cryptocurrency beginners who prioritize regulatory compliance, user interface simplicity, and educational resources over bonus size. The platform’s higher trading fees compared to alternatives like Coinbase Advanced Trade or standalone exchanges mean frequent traders may find the initial bonus insufficient to offset long-term cost differences. For users making a single exploratory trade, however, the combination of a guaranteed bonus and educational rewards provides a low-risk introduction to cryptocurrency markets.

eToro: $10 Bonus in Crypto or Cash

Best For

Social Investing

Overall Rating

Read Review

Discover eToro securely through eToro’s website

More Details

Disclosure: Take 2 mins to learn more at https://etoro.tw/44JRWLY. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Cryptocurrency is offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk

Best For

Social Investing

N/A

1 Minute Review

eToro crypto offers access to wide range of tokens, investment opportunities and educational tools for investors of all styles and levels of experience.

Best For

• Investors looking to CopyTrade other traders
• Simple user interface

Pros

• Several major cryptocurrencies and altcoins
• Expansive network of social trading features
• Large client base for new traders to imitate
• 100+ coins available

Cons

• PayPal and Credit Card are not available for UK and FCA users

eToro combines cryptocurrency trading with social investment features, allowing users to replicate the portfolios of successful traders through a copy-trading mechanism. The platform offers a $10 bonus for new users who deposit and trade at least $100, with the bonus available as either cryptocurrency or cash depending on jurisdiction. United States users typically receive cash bonuses, while international participants may receive cryptocurrency.

The $100 combined deposit and trading requirement represents a moderate entry threshold comparable to Gemini’s structure. Users must execute trades worth at least $100 in total volume, which can be achieved through a single transaction or multiple smaller trades. The bonus is credited automatically after meeting requirements, with no additional claims process or manual verification needed.

eToro’s referral program provides an additional $30 bonus when both the referrer and referred friend complete the $100 deposit and trading requirement. This structure doubles the potential return for users able to coordinate with others entering the platform simultaneously. However, referral bonuses are subject to the same withdrawal conditions as the base sign-up bonus, meaning both parties must meet any imposed holding or trading requirements.

The platform’s social trading features distinguish it from pure cryptocurrency exchanges, but also introduce complexity for users unfamiliar with portfolio copying mechanics. eToro’s fee structure includes spreads on cryptocurrency purchases rather than transparent per-trade commissions, making exact cost comparisons difficult. Users should verify current fee schedules before assuming the $10 bonus offsets trading costs for their intended activity level.

eToro’s offer suits users interested in combining cryptocurrency exposure with stock or ETF investments on a single platform. The social trading features appeal to beginners willing to allocate capital based on the performance of experienced traders. The relatively small bonus size means the offer should not be the primary factor in platform selection, though it provides a modest incentive for users already considering eToro for its multi-asset capabilities.

Gemini: $15 to $75 in Bitcoin

Best For

New Investors

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through Gemini Crypto’s website

More Details

Best For

New Investors

N/A

1 Minute Review

Gemini Trust Company LLC is a cryptocurrency exchange that supports trading in over 70 assets. While its selection of cryptocurrencies is limited compared to some competitors, Gemini excels in account security and regulatory compliance. The platform offers additional features such as a cryptocurrency rewards credit card, a built-in hot wallet, and the ability to pay crypto at various retailers. These tools and services make Gemini a robust choice for both new and experienced traders seeking a secure trading environment.

Best For

• Beginner-friendly platform offering handsome educational resources.
• Strong security features, including staking options.

Pros

• Gemini operates as a fully regulated cryptocurrency exchange.
• It accepts clients from the U.S.
• The platform employs stringent cybersecurity measures to protect users’ funds.
• Gemini is well-capitalized and adheres to banking regulations.

Cons

• Gemini is available in 60 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea.
• It offers fewer crypto assets to trade, with just over 70 available.

Gemini positions itself as a security-focused exchange founded by the Winklevoss twins, emphasizing regulatory compliance and institutional-grade custody solutions. The platform offers new users a flat $15 bonus in Bitcoin after trading at least $100 within three days of account creation. An additional referral program allows existing users to earn $75 in cryptocurrency when a referred friend completes the same $100 trading requirement within 30 days.

The $100 minimum trade requirement represents a moderate entry barrier compared to Coinbase’s zero-threshold structure but remains accessible for most retail investors. Users must complete this trade within 72 hours of registration, creating urgency that may push some participants to act before fully evaluating platform fees or alternative options. The bonus is credited in Bitcoin regardless of which cryptocurrency was traded to meet the threshold, ensuring all participants receive exposure to the most liquid digital asset.

Gemini imposes no holding period on bonus Bitcoin, allowing immediate withdrawal to external wallets or conversion to other cryptocurrencies. This immediate liquidity mirrors Coinbase’s approach and contrasts with platforms that lock bonuses behind vesting schedules or additional trading requirements. The lack of restrictions makes the offer suitable for users who want to claim the bonus and immediately move funds to cold storage or alternative platforms.

The referral component of Gemini’s program provides a significantly larger payout than the base sign-up bonus, but requires coordination with another individual who is also willing to complete the $100 trading threshold. This structure favors users with social networks interested in cryptocurrency but excludes those without referral candidates. The $75 referral bonus is split equally between referrer and referee in some versions of the program, though terms vary based on promotional periods.

Gemini’s offer best serves users who prioritize security infrastructure and regulatory standing over bonus size or fee minimization. The platform’s fees are higher than discount brokers but lower than Coinbase’s standard retail interface. The Bitcoin-denominated bonus appeals to users building long-term Bitcoin positions, while the referral structure benefits those able to coordinate with friends or family members entering the market simultaneously.

KuCoin: Up to 10,800 USDT

Best For

Experimenting Investors

Overall Rating

Use Code rJYAWN7 securely through KuCoin’s website

More Details

Best For

Experimenting Investors

N/A

1 Minute Review

KuCoin is an exchange that appeals to traders and investors of all levels of experience and risk appetite. The platform has a simple interface that allows users to navigate through the various features of the platform on desktop, Android and iOS. KuCoin helps users gradually learn how to use the different instruments by offering beginner settings and gamified applications like Futures Brawl. Overall, it’s a strong platform for anyone looking to explore the variety of trading products that aren’t offered by other exchanges.

Best For

• Beginners and experienced traders
• Investors seeking a wide selection of tokens, including newer, smaller projects
• Investors experimenting with tools like trading bots, lending and futures trading

Pros

• Competitive trading and withdrawal fee structure
• Over 770+ trading pairs available
• No KYC required to begin trading but needed for credit or debit card use
• Engaging features like lending, customizable trading bots, futures and margin trading
• Ample security features like 2-factor authentication (2FA) and email notifications

Cons

• Because of the high level of functionality, new users may experience some difficulty interacting with certain features, but this can be avoided through proper research

KuCoin operates as a global cryptocurrency exchange headquartered outside the United States, offering access to hundreds of altcoins unavailable on U.S.-regulated platforms. The sign-up bonus structure uses a tiered system ranging from 100 USDT for basic account creation to 10,800 USDT for meeting cumulative deposit and trading volume milestones. The entry-level tier requires only completing Know Your Customer verification and executing a single trade of any size.

The upper reward tiers demand substantial capital deployment, with the highest bonuses reserved for users depositing tens of thousands of dollars and executing millions in trading volume. For example, depositing $10,000 and trading $500,000 in cumulative volume within 30 days might unlock an additional 1,000 USDT bonus. These thresholds position the maximum rewards as accessible primarily to professional traders or institutional participants rather than retail investors.

KuCoin supplements cash bonuses with promotional staking products offering dramatically elevated annual percentage rates for limited periods. New users may access 200% APR on select tokens for the first seven days after deposit, though these rates apply only to small principal amounts and revert to standard market rates afterward. The combination of cash bonuses and staking incentives creates a complex incentive structure requiring careful calculation to determine actual value.

Bonus funds on KuCoin are typically subject to trading volume requirements before withdrawal, meaning users must execute additional trades to unlock the promotional USDT. These turnover requirements vary by bonus tier and can range from 10x to 50x the bonus amount. Users should verify current terms before assuming immediate access to bonus funds, as unexpected lockup periods can negate the perceived value of larger bonuses.

KuCoin’s structure favors experienced traders seeking access to obscure altcoins or those willing to maintain high trading activity to unlock tiered bonuses. The platform’s regulatory status outside the United States means it lacks certain consumer protections available on domestic exchanges. The complexity of the bonus structure requires careful review of terms to avoid misunderstanding eligibility requirements or withdrawal conditions.

Bybit: Up to $30,020 in Bonuses

Best For

API Trading

Overall Rating

get started securely through ByBit’s website

More Details

Best For

API Trading

N/A

1 Minute Review

Founded in 2018, Bybit is a Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange offering derivatives in 17 different trading pairs. Available to clients around the world, Bybit has over 2 million users trading traditional futures contracts and perpetual contracts with no expiration. Spot trading is available on the platform, which features a compatible mobile app for download on both iOS and Android devices. Bybit has reliable customer service, sophisticated trading tools, and a wealth of knowledge in its education libraries. However, US residents are shut out from its services.

Best For

• Cryptocurrency traders of all levels
• Affordable trading fees
• API trading
• Multiple order types

Pros

• Fast server with no downtime
• Accessible customer support
• Can make deposits with more than 50 different currencies
• Intuitive platform with mobile functionality

Cons

• Not available to residents of the US, Quebec, Singapore, or China
• Spot trading only available to whitelist clients

Bybit operates as a derivatives-focused cryptocurrency exchange popular among futures and margin traders, though it also supports spot trading for users preferring simpler transaction types. The platform advertises a total bonus package worth up to $30,020, combining a flat $20 welcome bonus for new registrations with tiered rewards based on deposit size and trading volume. The entry-level bonus requires no deposit, making it the most accessible component of the package.

The tiered structure begins with a $15 bonus for depositing $100 and scales upward to $30,000 for users executing $150 million in trading volume within a specified promotional period. These upper tiers target institutional traders or market makers rather than retail participants, and the vast majority of users will qualify only for the lower bonus levels. The advertised maximum serves primarily as a marketing figure rather than a realistic outcome for typical users.

Bybit’s bonus funds are credited as USDT, providing liquidity and stability compared to volatile altcoin bonuses. However, most bonus tiers impose trading volume requirements before withdrawal, often demanding cumulative trades worth 20 to 50 times the bonus amount. These turnover requirements mean a $100 bonus might require $2,000 to $5,000 in trading volume before the funds become withdrawable, effectively functioning as a rebate for active traders rather than free capital.

The platform offers additional incentives for derivatives traders, including reduced fees on futures contracts and leverage bonuses for margin accounts. These products introduce significant risk and are unsuitable for cryptocurrency beginners unfamiliar with liquidation mechanics or funding rates. Users should evaluate whether they intend to use Bybit’s derivatives features before prioritizing the platform based solely on bonus size.

Bybit’s structure serves high-volume traders and derivatives users willing to meet substantial trading thresholds in exchange for bonus unlocks. The platform’s focus on futures and margin products makes it less suitable for buy-and-hold investors or those seeking simple spot trading. The complexity of bonus terms requires careful reading to understand actual eligibility and withdrawal conditions.

Crypto.com: $50 in CRO Tokens

Best For

Sign Up Bonuses

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through crypto.com’s website

More Details

Best For

Sign Up Bonuses

N/A

1 Minute Review

Crypto.com strives to make cryptocurrency a part of everyday life by offering a full suite of services for crypto users. The company offers a Crypto.com App, Exchange, Visa Card, DeFi swap, DeFi Wallet, DeFi Earn, Crypto.com Price, staking, crypto lending, and many other services. What really sets them apart, however, is the combination of super low fees and incredibly generous rewards programs for their users.

Best For

• Traders who want access to a secure, low-cost cryptocurrency exchange
• Passive investors who want to earn interest on their balance without frequent trading
• Mobile investors who prefer to handle all their crypto needs via their phone or tablet

Pros

• Low fees
• High security
• One-stop shop for all your crypto needs (wallet, trading, spending, and more)
• Lots of ways to earn interest, rewards, and rebates

Cons

• Low privacy
• Customer service response time could be improved

Crypto.com operates as a comprehensive cryptocurrency platform offering exchange services, a debit card program, and native token staking rewards. New users can earn $50 in CRO tokens by completing three sequential requirements: verifying identity through Know Your Customer procedures, executing a first trade worth at least $25, and establishing a recurring purchase schedule. The multi-step process ensures users engage with core platform features before receiving bonus funds.

The $25 minimum trade requirement is among the lowest thresholds in the market, making the offer accessible to cautious newcomers testing cryptocurrency exposure with minimal capital. The recurring purchase requirement encourages dollar-cost averaging behavior, which can benefit users building long-term positions but may feel restrictive to those preferring discretionary trading. The recurring schedule can typically be canceled after the initial setup without forfeiting the bonus.

Bonus funds are credited as CRO tokens, Crypto.com’s native cryptocurrency, rather than Bitcoin or stablecoins. This structure creates immediate exposure to a specific altcoin that may not align with users’ investment preferences. CRO’s value fluctuates with market conditions and platform-specific developments, introducing volatility not present in stablecoin bonuses. Users should evaluate whether they want CRO exposure before prioritizing this offer.

The platform imposes no explicit holding period on bonus CRO tokens, allowing immediate conversion to other cryptocurrencies or fiat withdrawal after receipt. However, network fees and spread costs for small conversions may consume a meaningful portion of the $50 value. Users planning to immediately convert bonus CRO should calculate whether transaction costs leave sufficient value to justify the effort.

Crypto.com’s offer favors users interested in the platform’s broader ecosystem, including its debit card program and staking products. The CRO-denominated bonus aligns with users building positions in the native token to access higher card tiers or staking rewards. The recurring purchase requirement makes the offer less suitable for traders seeking maximum flexibility, though the low $25 trade threshold maintains accessibility for most participants.

The post Best Free Crypto Sign-Up Bonuses in January 2026 by AJ Fabino appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.

Futures trading continues to attract retail and institutional investors in 2025, offering a blend of risk, strategy and real-world market exposure. From hedging against inflation to riding geopolitical headlines, futures provide a high-octane corner of the financial markets. 

But while the upside potential is massive, so is the volatility – making it critical to pick the right contracts and brokers.

Top Futures to Watch in 2025

• Crude Oil (WTI) Futures
• Gold Futures
• Natural Gas Futures
• Copper Futures
• Soybean Futures

Whether new to futures or a seasoned trader, the five contracts below capture outsized attention this year due to macroeconomic trends, tariff policy shifts and global market volatility.

1. Crude Oil (WTI) Futures

Crude oil remains a powerhouse contract in 2025. With ongoing geopolitical tensions, surprise OPEC+ production decisions and a continued tariff chess match between the U.S. and China, WTI futures have become a real-time barometer for macro risk sentiment.

Why Trade It?

• High volatility and strong directional movement
• Proxy for inflation, geopolitical tension and global demand
• Available on major platforms like Plus500 with tight spreads and built-in risk tools

2. Gold Futures

Gold continues to glitter as inflation fears, Fed rate cuts and global instability make investors flock to safety. In 2025, central banks are buying gold at record levels and the dollar’s recent softness has only amplified demand.

Why Trade It?

• A classic hedge against uncertainty
• Responds quickly to macro events and currency movements
• Liquid and widely accessible through brokers like Plus500

3. Natural Gas Futures

This year, natural gas is seeing major volatility due to climate unpredictability, green transition turbulence and shifting export flows. It’s one of the most reactive contracts on the board, which means both risk and opportunity.

Why Trade It?

• Major upside potential with every weather or inventory surprise
• Tied to global energy flows and political disruption
• Plus500 allows natural gas trading with real-time risk management

4. Copper Futures

Copper prices are bouncing between optimism and recession risk. As a barometer for industrial demand, copper is tightly correlated to infrastructure spending, China’s economic recovery and the EV supply chain.

Why Trade It?

• Strong macroeconomic signal
• Opportunities tied to global infrastructure and EV demand
• High liquidity and manageable contract size for retail traders

5. Soybean Futures

Soybeans are up this year thanks to unpredictable weather, trade tensions and demand from China. Agricultural commodities like soybeans are no longer niche – they’re essential in a world where food security is front-page news.

Why Trade It?

• Sensitive to global supply-demand shocks
• Affordable entry point with sharp price action
• Relevant geopolitical and economic exposure

Best Brokers for Futures Trading in 2025

• Best for Mobile Users: Plus500
• Best for Fund Investing: Charles Schwab
• Best for Premium Futures Platforms and Low Margins: Optimus Futures
• Best for Active and Global Traders: Interactive Brokers
• Best for Futures Trading: TradeStation
• Best for Advanced Futures Trading: NinjaTrader

Before diving into futures, picking the right broker – especially one that aligns with your strategy and risk tolerance is essential. Here’s a fresh look at Benzinga’s top broker picks for 2025:

Best for Mobile Users: Plus500

Best For

Overall

Overall Rating

Read Review

Get Started securely through Plus500’s website

More Details

Disclosure: Trading with leverage carries a high risk and may not be suitable for everyone. 81% of trading accounts lose money.

Best For

Overall

N/A

1 Minute Review

Plus500 is a holistic investment platform that offers futures trading along with other options like crypto, options, stocks, ETFs and much more. Keep in mind that Futures are available through the Plus500 Futures platform, stocks are available through Plus500 Invest and CFDs are available through their Plus500 CFD platform. Futures are available for U.S. residents only.

Best For

• Mobile users
• Market access
• Variety of assets

Pros

• Quality website and mobile app
• Low fees
• Many other opportunities to invest
• Plus500 offers three platforms: Plus500 Futures, Plus500 Invest and Plus500 CFD.

Cons

• You may prefer a platform that is less complex
• Futures are only available to U.S. residents while CFDs are not available for U.S. residents.

Plus500 offers one of the most intuitive mobile platforms for futures trading. With access to commodity, crypto, index and energy futures, it’s a great entry point for retail traders who want flexibility and speed.

Pros:

• Low minimum deposit
• Access to diverse futures products (crypto, metals, indices, more)
• Transparent commission structure (e.g., $0.49 for micro contracts)

Cons:

• Limited advanced research tools compared to institutional platforms

Best for Fund Investing: Charles Schwab

Best For

Fund Investing

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through Charles Schwab’s website

More Details

Best For

Fund Investing

N/A

1 Minute Review

Charles Schwab is a solid choice for traders of all skill levels. It offers full access to the U.S. equity and options markets as well as 30 international markets. Traders can create a diverse portfolio with $0 commissions and no account minimums. Schwab’s margin trading is expensive but Schwab makes up for it with affordable futures and options trades, along with a comprehensive mobile offering.

Best For

• 3 trading platforms perfectly in sync makes matching your platform to your skill level a snap
• Excellent futures trading education for new traders
• $0 account minimum means anyone can start trading

Pros

• Wide range of available assets to trade, including futures and 30 global markets
• SmartStreet Edge platform is powerful enough for advanced traders, yet easy enough for new traders to utilize
• Unique educational resources (like infographics and podcasts) make learning fun

Cons

• Margin rates are more expensive than competitors
• More limitations on available margin than competitors
• Expensive mutual funds

Schwab brings trust, scale and service. If you’re a long-term investor dabbling in futures, this full-service platform makes blending futures into a broader portfolio easy.

Pros:

• Robust customer support
• Low fees and smart advisory services

Cons:

• Limited crypto access

Best for Premium Futures Platforms and Low Margins: Optimus Futures

Best For

Premium Futures Platforms and Low Margins

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through Optimus Futures’s website

More Details

Best For

Premium Futures Platforms and Low Margins

N/A

1 Minute Review

Optimus Futures is a leading discount futures broker offering highly customized trading solutions geared towards cost-conscious retail traders with an eye for technology and personal service. Customers gain access to premium tools at no additional cost such as depth-of-market surface, footprint charting, and real-time news alerts along with a fully integrated trading journal. 

Users can register a trial version of their software to take a test-drive of the platform, unlocking many of the analysis and charting features including unlimited simulated trades. Traders can also leverage Optimus Futures 3rd party app integration, allowing you to choose the futures trading platform best suited for you.

Optimus Futures has won the Benzinga Chairman’s Award for “Best Software for Trading Futures” for 3 consecutive years (2023, 2024 & 2025)

Best For

• Futures & micro futures traders
• Low account minimums, commissions, and margins
• Beginner futures traders

Pros

• Unlimited simulated trading
• Low day trading margins
• Highly experienced and competent technical support
• Customizable data fees and order clearing

Cons

• Limited to derivatives trading like futures
• The selection of data feeds and clearing firms can be overwhelming for newer traders

Optimus Futures is a futures brokerage that delivers access to professional-grade trading platforms including Rithmic, CQG, Trading Technologies, and its award-winning Optimus Flow. With ultra-low latency execution, advanced charting, and direct market access, the broker appeals to both active traders and institutions.

Recognized with Benzinga’s Best Software for Trading Futures award for Optimus Flow in 2023, 2024 & 2025, Optimus also stands out with competitive per-contract pricing — $0.25 per side for micros and $0.75 for standard contracts — and some of the lowest intraday margin rates in the industry.

Pros:

• Access to multiple platforms, including Optimus Flow, Rithmic, and CQG
• Benzinga Fintech Award winner (2023, 2024 & 2025) for Best Software for Trading Futures
• Ultra-low latency and advanced order-routing tools
• Competitive pricing and margins

Cons:

• Multiple platform choices can be overwhelming for beginners\

Best for Active and Global Traders: Interactive Brokers

Best For

Active and Global Traders

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through Interactive Brokers’s website

More Details

Best For

Active and Global Traders

N/A

1 Minute Review

Interactive Brokers is a comprehensive trading platform that gives you access to a massive range of securities at affordable prices. You can buy assets from all around the world from the comfort of your home or office with access to over 150 global markets. Options, futures, forex and fund trading are also available, and most traders won’t pay a commission on any purchase or sale.  

IBKR is geared primarily toward experienced traders and investors but now with the availability of free trades with IBKR Lite, casual traders can also acclimate to IBKR’s offerings.

Best For

• Futures traders
• Trading futures 24/7
• Sophisticated investors
• Access to international markets

Pros

• Buy & sell futures at lowest commission rates
• Hedge positions or act on price movements in 150 financial markets worldwide
• Trade futures side by side on a single screen w/ substitute asset classes in stocks, bonds, options

Cons

• Beginner investors might prefer a broker that offers a bit more hand-holding and educational resources

IBKR remains a favorite among global traders thanks to low fees, expansive market access and a deep toolbox.

Pros:

• $0.85 futures commissions
• Low margin rates
• 50+ order types and global exchange access

Cons:

• Platform complexity may overwhelm beginners

Best for Futures Trading: TradeStation

Best For

Futures Trading

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through TradeStation’s website

More Details

Best For

Futures Trading

N/A

1 Minute Review

TradeStation is for advanced traders who need a comprehensive platform. The brokerage offers an impressive range of investable assets as frequent and professional traders appreciate its wide range of analysis tools. TradeStation’s app is also equally effective, offering full platform capabilities.

Best For

• Advanced traders
• Options and futures traders
• Active stock traders

Pros

• Comprehensive trading platform and professional-grade tools
• Wide range of tradable securities
• Fully-operational mobile app

Cons

• Confusing pricing structure to leave new traders with a weak understanding of what they pay
• Cluttered layout to make navigating TradeStation’s platform more difficult than it should be

TradeStation excels with its futures-specific accounts (TS GO and TS Select), deep product list and 24/7 access.

Pros:

• Dedicated account types for futures traders
• Access to 150+ futures products

Cons:

• Limited to no forex exposure

Best for Advanced Traders: NinjaTrader

Best For

Advanced Futures Trading

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through NinjaTrader’s website

More Details

Best For

Advanced Futures Trading

N/A

1 Minute Review

NinjaTrader is a powerful derivatives trading platform specializing in futures, forex and options. The platform has a number of unique trading tools. A free version does exist without the extra goodies provided by Trader + and OrderFlow + but users can still break down charts, backtest strategies and trade without upfront payment. NinjaTrader hosts its own brokerage services but users have their choice of several different brokerage options. Accounts have minimums depending on the securities traded and commissions vary depending on the version of the platform. Advanced derivatives traders will have endless fun with the platform’s mighty array of tools and analyzers.

The free version, which is included with all brokerage accounts is a great starting platform for new traders without the financial commitment. As you grow in your trading and are ready for more tools and functionality, you can add more complexity.

Best For

• Futures Traders
• Traders looking for 24/7 action
• Advanced Traders

Pros

• Powerful analysis tools
• Free download and simulated trading
• Open source trading apps to enhance experience

Cons

• Can only trade derivatives like futures and options

NinjaTrader is tailored for the experienced crowd. It offers low commissions, algorithmic trading support and a powerful charting suite.

Pros:

• $0.09 commissions on micro contracts
• Huge third-party ecosystem for custom tools

Cons:

• More advanced than some users require
• High withdrawal fee

How to Start Trading Futures in 2025

Futures trading demands preparation. Begin by choosing a reputable broker (like those listed above), open a futures-enabled account and spend time in a simulator if you’re new to the game. Understand contract sizes, margin requirements and market hours.

Use tools like stop-loss orders, trailing stops and take-profit levels to manage your risk. Platforms like Plus500 offer these features intuitively tailored to mobile and desktop users alike.

As always, the key to futures success isn’t just picking the right contract – it’s executing with discipline.

Futures Are Fast, but They’re Not for Everyone

In 2025, futures remain one of the fastest, most responsive ways to engage with macroeconomic trends. But volatility is a double-edged sword. Whether you’re trading oil, gold, soybeans or index futures, know your market, strategy and broker.

Plus500, Interactive Brokers, Schwab and others give traders of all levels the tools they need to participate – but you will only thrive with a solid risk strategy.

Curious about how futures work or how to develop your approach? Explore Benzinga’s Futures & Options Courses and take your trading to the next level.

The post Best Futures to Trade in 2026 by AJ Fabino appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.

If you’re searching for the “best VPN for Polymarket in the U.S.,” it’s important to clear up a major misconception right away.

A VPN does not make Polymarket legal for U.S. residents, and using one to bypass geo-restrictions violates Polymarket’s Terms of Use and can result in frozen funds or permanent account closure.

That doesn’t mean VPNs have no place in the conversation. It just means the framing matters.

Polymarket’s global platform is currently unavailable to U.S. residents, following its post-2022 CFTC settlement.

The site actively blocks U.S. IP addresses and explicitly prohibits the use of VPNs, proxies, or other tools to misrepresent a user’s location.

Until Polymarket’s separate, fully regulated U.S. product launches via its CFTC-licensed exchange (QCEX), Americans are not permitted to trade on the international interface.

So what is a compliant use case?

• Non-U.S. residents who are physically located in a supported country
• Travelers who are temporarily abroad in a supported jurisdiction
• Users who want general privacy and security (Wi-Fi protection, ISP shielding, reduced tracking) — not geo-evasion

In those scenarios, a VPN functions as a privacy tool, not a location spoofing workaround.

NordVPN

NordVPN is consistently ranked as the top overall VPN for traders and prediction-market users who are operating from countries where Polymarket is legally accessible.

Its standout advantage is speed.

The proprietary NordLynx protocol (built on WireGuard) delivers extremely low latency, which matters when markets move quickly and order execution timing is important.

From a privacy standpoint, NordVPN checks all the right boxes.

It operates under a strict, independently audited no-logs policy, uses AES-256 encryption, and includes a reliable kill switch to prevent accidental IP leaks if the VPN connection drops mid-session.

Its massive server network, spanning more than 100 countries, makes it easy for travelers to connect to nearby, supported jurisdictions without unnecessary routing delays.

Crucially, NordVPN should be used only as a security layer when you are physically present in an allowed country, not to pretend you are somewhere you are not.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is often described as the “set it and forget it” option, and that reputation holds up for Polymarket users abroad.

It’s known for extremely consistent performance across regions, with fast connection times and minimal speed degradation even on long-distance routes.

Security is where ExpressVPN really leans premium. Its RAM-only TrustedServer architecture ensures no data is ever written to disk, and its no-logs policy has been audited multiple times.

The Lightway protocol delivers a strong balance between speed and encryption, making it well-suited for users who trade while moving between hotels, airports, and cafés.

For travelers who prioritize reliability and ease of use, and who want zero tinkering with settings, ExpressVPN is one of the safest choices when used within Polymarket’s rules.

Surfshark

Surfshark stands out for one simple reason: unlimited simultaneous connections.

If you trade on a laptop, monitor markets on a tablet, and keep a phone connected while traveling, Surfshark lets you cover everything with a single plan.

Performance is solid, particularly on nearby European servers commonly used by Polymarket participants.

Surfshark also maintains a no-logs policy, uses strong encryption, and includes features like a kill switch and CleanWeb for tracker blocking.

While it may not quite match NordVPN or ExpressVPN in raw speed consistency, Surfshark is an excellent value pick for users who want flexibility across devices without juggling multiple subscriptions.

CyberGhost

CyberGhost is frequently recommended for users who want simplicity. The apps are intuitive, setup is fast, and the interface clearly labels server locations, which is helpful for travelers connecting from supported countries.

Its large global server network and generous money-back guarantee (up to 45 days on longer plans) make it appealing for short-term or trip-based use.

While it’s not the fastest option on this list, CyberGhost delivers dependable performance for general trading activity and emphasizes user-friendly design over advanced configuration.

For newer VPN users who want straightforward protection while abroad, CyberGhost remains a practical choice.

IPVanish

IPVanish appeals to users who like having more control over how their VPN behaves.

It supports WireGuard, delivers consistently low latency on many routes, and allows unlimited devices under one subscription.

One notable differentiator is infrastructure ownership. IPVanish owns and operates its own server network rather than relying heavily on third-party hosting, which can reduce certain privacy risks.

For technically inclined users who want to fine-tune settings while maintaining solid speeds, IPVanish offers a strong balance of performance and transparency.

Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) has long been popular among privacy purists.

Its no-logs policy has been tested in court, and its apps are open-source, allowing independent scrutiny of how the software works.

PIA offers one of the largest server networks available and gives users granular control over encryption strength and protocol selection.

That flexibility is valuable for users who want to optimize performance based on location and connection quality.

While its interface is less polished than some competitors, PIA is a solid budget-friendly option for users who care deeply about transparency and configurability.

VPNs Don’t Make Polymarket Legal in the U.S.

It’s worth stating clearly: using a VPN to access Polymarket from inside the U.S. is a Terms-of-Service violation, even if it appears to work temporarily.

Polymarket uses IP screening, device fingerprinting, and KYC-related checks, and accounts flagged for circumvention can be placed in close-only mode, suspended, or permanently banned — sometimes with funds locked.

If you are traveling into the United States from a supported country, the compliant options are simple:

• Pause activity on the global Polymarket platform while in the U.S.
• Use a VPN only for general privacy and security, not location spoofing
• Transition to Polymarket’s forthcoming regulated U.S. platform once it launches
• Consider U.S.-approved alternatives such as regulated prediction markets

The post Best VPN for Accessing Polymarket in the U.S. by AJ Fabino appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.

Analysts are saying that Lucid Group could hit $11.43 by 2030. Bullish on LCID? Invest in Lucid Group on SoFi with no commissions. If it’s your first time signing up for SoFi, you’ll receive up to $1,000 in stock when you first fund your account. Plus, get a 1% bonus if you transfer your investments and keep them there until December 31, 2025.

Shares of Lucid have traded unevenly into year-end as investors balance soft luxury EV demand against the company’s deep Saudi backing and an extended liquidity runway. The story right now is less about whether Lucid can survive and more about whether production constraints and sentiment fatigue will keep the stock capped until clearer execution progress shows up.

Against that backdrop, we ran Lucid through an AI price-prediction agent powered by OpenAI’s GPT. The goal wasn’t to map out Lucid’s long-term EV ambitions (we have that here), but to generate a short, data-driven outlook that blends price action, technical signals, and the current narrative around output, cash burn, and liquidity.

What the AI model is actually predicting

The agent was fed recent price action and a focused set of inputs to produce a short-term outlook. At the time of the run, Lucid traded at $11.81. For the period from Dec. 16 through Jan. 6, the model’s base-case projection came out to:

• Average predicted price: $12.00
• Implied move: roughly 1.61% higher into early January
• Signal snapshot: MACD remains flat, while RSI swings sharply and ends on a lower note, pointing to choppy, sentiment-driven trading

In plain language, the AI is saying the most likely path for Lucid over the next few weeks is a modest grind higher rather than a decisive breakout or breakdown. That reflects a market that isn’t ready to re-rate the stock aggressively, but also isn’t pricing in immediate financial stress.

Fundamentally, Lucid continues to face production limits that cap near-term upside despite improving deliveries. The company reported higher year-over-year revenue and vehicle deliveries in its most recent quarter but trimmed full-year production guidance to roughly 18,000–20,000 vehicles, reinforcing concerns about output scalability into 2026.

Liquidity remains a key stabilizing factor. Lucid ended the quarter with access to roughly $5.5 billion in liquidity, supported by expanded financing arrangements tied to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which continues to anchor the company’s balance sheet and extend its operational runway into 2026 and beyond.

December price action reflects that push and pull. Shares have swung sharply on relatively thin volume, with rallies fading as RSI momentum rolls over, while the flat MACD suggests a lack of strong directional conviction. That behavior underscores how heavily LCID trades on sentiment rather than steady fundamental progress.

Think of this AI outlook as a short-term temperature check.

The model isn’t delivering a verdict on Lucid’s long-term positioning in the luxury EV market. Instead, it’s estimating how the stock is likely to trade while investors wait for clearer signals on production cadence, demand durability, and the timing of Lucid’s next growth phase. In this run, the agent leans slightly constructive, but cautious.

For longer-term investors, a 1.6% move over a few weeks is largely noise. For traders, it’s a reminder that the next meaningful move in Lucid will likely require a new catalyst. Either tangible progress on scaling production or clearer signs that luxury EV demand is stabilizing.

The post ChatGPT Thinks Lucid Stock Will Close At This Price By The End of 2025 by AJ Fabino appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.