A market screener lets users filter assets like stocks or forex by criteria such as volume, price movement, and technical indicators. Day traders can use TradingView’s screener to spot real-time trade opportunities by applying technical and fundamental filters, monitoring results, and quickly acting on high-potential setups.
Key Filters for Day Trading
Day traders should focus on filters that highlight liquidity, volatility, and momentum. Important filters include:
- Price: Filter out penny stocks if you prefer more stable price action.
- Volume: Set minimum volume (e.g., over 500K shares) to ensure liquidity.
- Change (%): Look for stocks with at least 2–3% price movement.
- Relative Volume (RVOL): Identifies unusually high trading activity.
- Volatility (ATR or StdDev): Screens stocks likely to move during the session.
- Pre-market % Change: Useful to identify early movers.
Momentum Trading Filters
Screeners are essential tools for day traders looking to identify momentum stocks; those showing strong price movement and high trading volume. By filtering for stocks with large percentage gains, unusual volume spikes, or recent breakouts above key technical levels, traders can quickly pinpoint candidates likely to continue moving in the short term. TradingView also allows customization based on indicators like RSI and MACD, helping traders refine their list to the most promising setups for intraday opportunities.
- Price Change (%): +2% to +10%
- Relative Volume: >1.5× average
- RSI: between 30 and 70 (avoid overbought/oversold extremes early)
- High beta or ATR: for volatile candidates
Example Screener Settings (Momentum Setup)
| Filter | Value / Range | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Last) | > $1 | Avoid illiquid penny stocks |
| Change (%) | > +3% (for longs), < –3% (for shorts) | Screens for strong price movement |
| Volume (Current) | > 500,000 | Ensures liquidity for entry and exit |
| Relative Volume (RVOL) | > 1.5 | Confirms abnormal trading activity |
| RSI (14) | 60–80 (longs) or 20–40 (shorts) | Validates momentum in the trend direction |
| MACD Histogram | Positive (for longs) | Indicates bullish momentum |
| Price vs. SMA 20 | Price > SMA 20 | Confirms upward trend continuation |
Breakout Setup Filters
Screeners help day traders identify breakout stocks by filtering for key technical signals, such as price moves above resistance levels, new 52-week highs, or high relative volume. By scanning for stocks that are breaking out of consolidation patterns or trading ranges, traders can spot potential entries early in a momentum surge. Many screeners allow customization based on volume, volatility, and technical indicators like Bollinger Bands or moving averages, making it easier to find stocks poised for sharp intraday moves.
- Price Near 52-Week High
- Volume Surge: >2× average
- Pre-market Gap Up: >2%
- Candlestick pattern (e.g., bull flag or inside bar breakout)
Example Screener Settings (Breakout Setup)
| Filter | Value / Range | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Last) | > $1 | Filter out low-liquidity penny stocks |
| Change (%) | ≥ +2% | Ensure strong upward movement |
| Volume (Current) | > 500,000 shares | Adequate liquidity for execution |
| Relative Volume (RVOL) | > 1.5 | Indicates unusual volume activity |
| RSI (14) | 50–70 | Supports uptrend without being overbought |
| 52-Week High Distance (%) | < 2% or “Near High” | Near key resistance zone or breakout point |
| SMA 20 vs. Price | Price > SMA 20 | Confirms price strength above short-term trend line |
| Candlestick Pattern (optional) | Bullish Engulfing, Marubozu | Optional pattern for momentum confirmation |
Reversal Setup Filters
Screeners can be used to find potential reversal stocks by filtering for signs of exhaustion in existing trends, such as extreme RSI levels, candlestick reversal patterns, or divergence between price and momentum indicators like MACD. Traders often look for stocks that are oversold or overbought and showing early signs of a shift in direction. By combining technical filters with volume spikes or support/resistance zones, screeners help day traders identify high-probability reversal setups for quick intraday opportunities.
- Oversold RSI < 30
- Hammer/Doji candlestick
- Volume divergence
Example Screener Settings (Reversal Setup)
| Filter | Value / Range | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Last) | > $1 | Avoid illiquid micro-penny stocks |
| Change (%) | ≤ –3% (for long setups) | Sharp intraday drop, potential bounce setup |
| RSI (14) | < 30 | Sign of extreme oversold condition |
| Volume (Current) | > 500,000 | Ensure liquidity |
| Relative Volume (RVOL) | > 1.5 | Unusual activity vs. average |
| Candlestick Pattern | Hammer, Doji, or Bullish Engulfing | Signs of buyer interest forming |
| SMA 20 Distance (%) | < –3% | Price stretched below short-term mean |
Use Time-of-Day Logic
To make the most of TradingView’s screener throughout the trading session, it’s important to apply time-specific logic. Market behavior tends to follow distinct patterns depending on the hour, so adapting your filters and strategies accordingly can significantly improve your edge. Here’s how to tailor your screening based on different parts of the trading day:
- Pre-Market (6–9:30 AM ET): Filter for gaps, unusual volume, and news catalysts.
- Market Open (9:30–11 AM ET): Look for momentum and volume spikes.
- Midday (11 AM–2 PM): Focus on range-bound setups or wait.
- Power Hour (2–4 PM ET): Watch for continuation or reversal setups into close.
Refine with Technical Indicators
Refining your screener results with technical indicators helps validate setups and improve timing. Use VWAP proximity to confirm whether a stock is trading above or below its average intraday value—an effective filter for trend alignment. Incorporating moving averages like the 20-day and 50-day helps you focus on stocks that are trending in your preferred direction. Momentum traders can further refine entries by looking for MACD or Stochastic crossovers, which signal potential breakouts or reversals with increasing strength.
- VWAP proximity: Popular for confirming intraday trends
- Moving Averages (MA20/MA50): Align with trend direction
- MACD or Stochastic Crossovers: Support momentum entries
News and Catalyst Checks
News and catalyst checks are critical in day trading because they help explain why a stock is moving and whether the momentum is likely to continue or fade. Price surges without news may lack staying power, while moves triggered by strong catalysts like earnings reports, analyst upgrades/downgrades, or sector-specific events (such as FDA approvals, mergers, or regulatory changes) often attract sustained attention and volume. By verifying the presence and nature of a catalyst, traders can better assess risk, avoid false breakouts, and focus on high-probability setups with real market drivers behind them.
Final Tips for Day Traders
Focus on high-quality setups that match your strategy instead of chasing every alert. Avoid over-filtering, as too many constraints can limit viable opportunities. Streamline your workflow by integrating screeners with watchlists and real-time alerts. Always backtest your filters on historical data to validate their effectiveness and ensure they stay aligned with current market conditions.