Too Many Stocks, Not Enough Clarity? Let’s Get Organized
We hope you’ve had a chance to customize your dashboard and spend a little time with the Market Summary page since last week. Even a few minutes a day can make a big difference in how connected you feel to the market!
If this past week reminded us of anything, it’s this: the market has a talent for keeping us on our toes. One day optimism takes over, and the next day the mood shifts completely. That’s exactly why it’s so important to keep the big picture in mind.
A quick look at the one-week performance of the major indexes on the Market Summary page tells a useful story. You can instantly see which indexes pulled back and which ones held up, as well as by how much. And if the longer-term trend is still bullish, then a down week isn’t a reason to panic.
Once you have a feel for the overall market — trend direction, sector performance, market breadth, sentiment — you can narrow your focus. That’s when it makes sense to zoom in on a manageable group of individual stocks and ETFs.
This brings us to Goal #2: Get Organized.
When you’re tracking thousands of symbols, organization isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. And one of the simplest ways to stay organized on StockCharts is by creating ChartLists.
Not sure where to start? Download the ChartList Framework, and begin populating the lists with ticker symbols that matter to you.
There’s no one “right” way to organize your lists. Some investors prefer broad market views, others like to drill down by sector, strategy, or time frame. Here’s a look at how one of our contributors views ChartLists. Don’t miss the part about the Correlation View. It helps illustrate how individual stocks are performing relative to a benchmark like the S&P 500.
Professional money managers are often judged by how their portfolios perform versus a benchmark. With Correlation View, you can do the same with your portfolio. A quick comparison shows you which stocks are pulling their weight and which ones may need a closer look.
Your Assignment This Week
Set aside a little time to organize your ChartLists. A great place to start is with what you already own. These can be:
- Funds in your 401(k) or IRA
- Stocks or ETFs in accounts you manage yourself
In addition, be sure to explore our Public ChartLists. You may find a list that sparks an idea, or one you can copy and customize to fit your approach.
When you have more than 10,000 stocks to choose from, having a system helps keep emotions in check. If you’ve been investing for any length of time, you already know how dangerous emotional decision-making can be.
One More Thing...
Let’s make 2026 the year you invest with confidence and clarity. And don’t forget our Holiday Sale, which runs through the end of December. There’s no reason to wait till the last minute.
Have fun building your ChartLists, and we’ll be back next week with Goal #3.
