Finbox Review

Finbox Introduction

Finbox.io is a stock market portfolio research and management platform designed for traders and investors focused on fundamental and quantitative analysis. The fintech revolution of convenience has transformed traditional tools with simple and intuitive design powered by sophisticated machine learning algorithms that do the heavy legwork of optimization and presentation. Finbox also creates its own fair value estimates based and updates over 100,000 models per day. The dizzying number of analysis tools is a fundamentalist’s dream. Finbox premium API lets quants and developers incorporate data into their models and algorithms.

Finbox Pricing Options

Finbox has three access plans designed to making onboarding simple and painless.

The Finbox Starter plan is free just for registering and enables unlimited watchlists, stock screens and financial models. Charts, spreadsheet add-ons and API with 5,000 data points per day and data explorer available for limited stocks.

The Finbox Free Trial costs $1 for the first month and includes everything in the Starter plan plus access to all stocks, 25,000 data points, filters, Fork Ideas, Advanced Analytics and ability to save and export data. Users can cancel and get their $1 back during the 30-days. This converts to the Finbox Premium plan after the first month at $39-per month, if not cancelled. Quarterly and Annual prepaid plans are available for immediate discounts.

Finbox Features Breakdown

Here are some of the most notable features:

Charts

Finbox is geared towards fundamental analysis, there are very limited technical analysis-based price charts. For fundamental charts, traders should check out YCharts. For technical charts, traders should check out TradingView.  

Finbox offers graphs and line charts that visualize trends, comparisons, correlations and divergences in fundamental metrics like sales and earnings growth are more prevalent.

Financial Models

Finbox has tons of pre-built financial models that users can select from or opt to refine existing models for a stock. Valuation models can even be created through the step-by-step model builder that will help users find comparable companies. Finbox does a great job of explaining the pre-built models like the Discounted Cash Flow Model. This is a good start for users that want to delve into the world of financial modeling with stocks. Users can find model templates, edit, refine and share them.

Fair Value Tool

The goal of valuation modeling is ultimately to determine what the fair value of a stock should be. For those of you that don’t want to bother with the legwork of endless researching and analysis, Finbox cuts to the chase with their own proprietary Fair Value price for every stock. It provides the metrics that it uses to arrive at that price and newbies can use this price as a starting point.

Newsfeeds

The news is generic as it’s pulled from free sites including Yahoo! Finance. This is not for active traders that want to be the first to spot a news release to get the jump on price moves. News is almost a secondary concern on this platform as quantitative financial data is the driver behind longer-term price moves. Traders seeking a news platform can check out Benzinga Pro, TradetheNews, or The Fly.

Screeners

Finbox provides a fundamental stock screener that lets users scan the markets for stocks that match specific filters. Users can compound the filters many times over to find that needle in the haystack stock.

Alerts

All watch lists enable alerts set by the user. These can be based on several criteria set from price moves to changes in specified fundamental metrics or fundamental catalysts like earnings report reminders.

Watch Lists and Ideas

Finbox has tons of pre-built watch lists that can be found in the Ideas section which include iconic fund manager portfolios (value investors to activists) and themes. Users can create watch lists by manually keying in symbols, import symbols or ‘fork’ an Ideas portfolio which creates a new watch list with the portfolio stocks. Characteristics of watch lists based on metrics, screens and an endless supply of filters can be configured seamlessly. The Ideas tabs provides portfolio ideas based on the top managers and strategies.

Data Explorer

Finbox has some of the most in-depth fundamental metrics found on any research platform. Users can navigate the Data Explorer to search for common and exotic metrics by category ranging from Popular to Valuations and Forecasts. Efficiency metrics such as Inventory Turnover or Days Payable Outstanding can be pulled up in seconds versus scouring 10-Q filings line-by-line. This is an amazing time saver. For example, Interest Expense Margin is a good way to gauge if debt-servicing fees are eating into margins and could have future impacts based on the trajectory of the metric.

API and Export Tools

Data can be exported into Microsoft Excel or Google Spreadsheets for further analysis with tools like MarketXLS.. Quants and developers will really enjoy the flexibility and access of the export tools and API for enabling users to create or refine their own models outside of the platform.

Classroom

This section contains easy to follow tutorials and videos that users can study at their own pace. I like the step-by-step format demonstrated directly on the platform, which makes it easier for users to duplicate processes. The videos are simple, short and get the job done by explaining in simple terms at a leisurely pace.

Platform Differentiators

Finbox is simple to use for the basic functions and has the depth to accommodate hardcore data junkies and financial modelers. The interface is smooth and intuitive and let’s even newbies get acclimated rapidly.

Is Finbox a Good Value?

The subscription fees are very cheap for the value it provides. It takes a bit of experience with financial modeling and spreadsheet navigation skills to take full advantage of the tools, however, much of the pre-built watch lists and ideas provide plenty of opportunities to hit the ground running. It’s prudent to make sure your to run through the tutorial videos to get acclimated quicker.

What Type of Trader Finbox Is Best For

Finbox caters to financial analysts, sophisticated investors, portfolio managers and quants that have an affinity for fundamental data. Programming proficiency is not required but very helpful nonetheless especially if utilizing the premium API.

Pros

• Easy-to-use interface lets users create and fork watch lists to prospect opportunities
• In-depth fundamental and quantitative data analytics
• Step-by-step model builder introduces newbies to the world of financial modeling
• Premium API enables quants to integrate data, metrics and strategies
• Finbox proprietary valuation tool provides a Fair Value for every stock
• Free membership and 30-day $1 trial is a great way to kick the tires
• Daily updates on over 100,000 models

Cons

• Limited technical analysis charting tools
• Limited news sources