When building out an investment portfolio of individual stocks, research is a critical part of the process. Without conducting research, you are flying blind as you select stocks that could have a big impact on your financial future.
But tracking down all of the information you need to conduct research on a particular stock can be time-consuming. That’s where Zacks Stock Research can serve as a valuable tool.
If you want to streamline your access to key stock research, then Zacks Stock Research might be the solution. Let’s take a closer look to see if it’s the right fit for your situation.
Quick Summary
- Zacks Investment Research offers independent research on stock investment opportunities.
- The site focuses on earring estimate revisions. But it offers insights into individual stocks as well as mutual funds and ETFs.
- An easy-to-use ranking scale offers advice on what’s a good buy.
Zack Stock Research Details | |
|---|---|
Product Name | Zacks Stock Research |
Services | Premium Stock-Picking Newsletters |
Newsletter Types | Zacks Premium Zacks Investor Collection Zacks Ultimate |
Membership Fee | $249 to $2,995 per year |
Promotions | 30-Day Free Trial |
What Is Zacks Stock Research?
Len Zacks founded Zacks Investment Research in 1978. As a Ph.D. student at MIT, his goal with the site was to produce independent research and valuable content for investors. As an investor, you can use the research tools offered by this platform to select stocks that suit your portfolio.
What Does It Offer?
So, what does Zacks Stock Research offer you? Here are the highlights:
Zacks Rank
One of the most popular features offered through Zacks Stock Research is its ranking system that assesses the earning potential of stocks.
The site rates stocks on a scale of one through five.
Ranking System
- Strong buy
- Buy
- Hold
- Sell
- Strong sell
As an investor, you can use this ranking scale as a quick way to determine what’s a good stock for your portfolio. Since 1988, this ranking system has proven to be fairly accurate. In fact, in that timeframe ‘Strong Buys’ generated an annual average return of 25.4% That’s considerably higher than the returns of the S&P 500.
Focus On Earning Surprises
One factor within the Zacks Ranks system is a focus on surprise earnings. Specifically, Zacks looks for positive earnings surprises.
According to Zacks, “Earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices.” So when a company hits a positive surprise earning estimate, Zacks believes they are likely to make that happen again in the future.
Stock Screener
As an investor, you likely have an idea of what kind of stocks are the right fit for your portfolio. You can use the Zacks Stock Screener to quickly filter stocks based on various metrics. A few filters you can use include price changes, dividends, and return on investment.
The most basic screening metrics might be free. But you’ll need to pay for a premium package to unlock the entire potential of this tool.
Zacks Trade
If you are looking for a trading platform, Zacks Trades is an option. If you have a minimum of $2,500 in your account, you can make trades for 1 cent a piece. With the comprehensive research tools built right in, this could be the perfect place for an active trader.Are There Any Fees?
Zacks offers a free membership level with a daily newsletter about stock insights. But to get the most out of Zacks, you may want to upgrade to a paid membership.
Zacks does offer a free 30-day trial for all of their membership levels. But after that, you’ll need to commit to a premium membership. Here are the options, plus the cost:
Zacks Premium | Zacks Investor Collection | Zacks Ultimate | |
|---|---|---|---|
Fee | $249 per year | $59 per month or $495 per year | $299 per month or $2,995 per year |
Benefits | Access the full Zacks Ranking list, equity research reports, premium screening, and more. | Access to all of the premium research tools for stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds. Plus, you’ll find information about real-time buy and sell signals. | Access to expert commentary and recommendations on top of all of the Zacks tools. |
How Does Zacks Stock Research Compare?
Zacks Stock Research isn’t the only place to research stocks. Other popular options include The Motley Fool and Morningstar. The right fit for you will vary based on your needs.
You can find more affordable options, but Zacks has a long track record of success.
Header | |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
Rating | |||
Membership Fee | $249/yr | $99/yr | $199/yr |
Stock Picks? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Research Tools | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Promotions | 30-Day Free Trial | $100 Off | 14-Day Free Trial |
Cell |
How Do I Open An Account?
In order to sign up for the free version of Zacks, you’ll only need to provide an email address.
But to sign up for a paid account, you’ll need to enter your email and provide credit card information. It should only take a few minutes to run through this process. Your card will be automatically charged after your free 30-day trial.
Is It Safe And Secure?
Zacks says that the safety of your personal information is a top priority. But based on their Privacy Policy, you might not like how they share your information. You may be automatically added to telemarketing lists. However, you can unsubscribe by emailing support@zacks.com.
How Do I Contact Zacks Stock Research?
If you need to get in touch with Zacks, there are several options. You can reach out to the following numbers for different issues:
- Customer support and Zacks Premium call 312-265-9339 or email support@zacks.com
- Zacks Investor Collection and Investor Services call 312-265-9309 or email investorcollection@zacks.com
- Zacks Ultimate and Trading Services call 312-265-9309 or email ultimate@zacks.com
You can also reach out through social media on:
- Facebook @ZacksInvestmentResearch
- Twitter @ZacksResearch
- YouTube @ZacksInvestmentNews
Is It Worth It?
Zacks Stock Research offers extensive information for investors looking to build a portfolio. As a new investor, you might find this information especially useful as you start to build your portfolio. Although the paid memberships can quickly get expensive, the potential returns made from well-informed investment decisions may be well worth the cost.
Ultimately, you’ll need to decide if you are comfortable with paying for stock research tools at all. If you are, then Zacks is a viable option. If you aren’t, then no stock research service will stack up.
Zacks Stock Research Features
Services | Independent investment research firm that offers a paid membership for:
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Membership Fees |
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Wealth Management Pricing | 50,000 points after spending $1,000 (Requires a minimum bank balance of $100,000) |
Customer Service Phone Number |
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Customer Service Via Social Media |
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Customer Service Email | |
Mobile App Availability | |
Promotions | 30-Day Free Trial |
Zacks Stock Research Review
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Overall
Summary
Zacks Stock Research can serve as a valuable app to help you track down the information you need to research a particular stock.
Pros
- Zacks Ranks has a strong track record
- Screening is easy to do
- Research ETFs and mutual funds too
Cons
- Pricey
- Can find free trading opportunities elsewhere
Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer covering banking, insurance, credit cards, mortgages and student loans. She has written for numerous finance publications, including MagnifyMoney, Business Insider and ChooseFI. Her blog, Adventurous Adulting, helps young adults get a handle on their finances.
Editor: Claire Tak Reviewed by: Robert Farrington