A visual way to rank the relative attractiveness of companies is by using ShareScope’s Ranking Histograms. Look at the example below:

This histogram shows how the company ranks for various metrics against the companies in its subsector, sector and across the market in general. The fuller the histogram, the more attractive the value. For example, a full P/E histogram means a low (good) P/E value.

You can display ranking histograms for the company’s sub-sector, sector, industry and for the full market. However, to save you screen real-estate, if you hover your mouse over any of these histograms, ShareScope will display the full ranking data across each classification level.

You can add ranking columns for a wide range of fundamental metrics enabling you to build up either snapshot or in-depth visual guides to a company’s financial health or attractiveness as an investment.

Ranking histograms can be added as columns in a List or as a panel on the Details page.

You can also use company ranking in data mining filters. For example, you could search for companies in the top quartile in their sector for rolling P/E and projected yield (i.e. cheap price and high yield).

See the examples below:

Here, the ranking histograms have been incorporated into a larger Details view.

In the example above, a Details window just displaying ranking histograms has been incorporated into a multi-window layout. To create this, first select or open a Details window (Gold users: go to Details view). Next select a blank Details setting from the Details Settings menu. Right click in the Details screen and select New List Box.

An empty box will be created. Right click on the box and select New List Box Item and then Add Rank Item from the submenu. A dialog box will open which enables you to select dozens of different ranking criteria. Note that the Add now button in the dialog enables you to add multiple columns one after another. To change the colour of the histograms, right click in the List box and select List Box Design. Near the bottom of the dialog you will find an option to change the histogram colour.

In this Table, Rank columns have been used alongside columns containing actual data values. To add a Rank column, right click in one of the column headings and select Add Rank Column....

A dialog box will open which enables you to select dozens of different ranking criteria. Note that the Add now button in the dialog enables you to add multiple columns one after another.

To change the colour of the histograms in a column, right click in the column heading and select Borders & shading....

In this Data Mining filter, ShareScope has found all FTSE 350 companies which are in both the top quartile (i.e. cheapest) for rolling P/E and top quartile for projected yield in their sectors.

This gives you a list of mid to large cap stocks offering high yields at a low price. To add a Rank criterion, click on Add Criterion and select Rank in sector from the Data Mining Wizard.

Remember if you have any trouble finding or using any of these features, please don’t hesitate to call our Customer Support team on 020 7749 8504. They will be delighted to help.