Charles Schwab is to launch an online service designed to help subscribers build a diversified portfolio. The Stock Explorer tool is to be promoted in a 60-second ad featuring Sarah Ferguson, the erstwhile Duchess of York, which will be aired for the first time during Sunday's SuperBowl broadcast on CBS.
Schwab describes Stock Explorer as a stock screening tool that offers a selection of six well-known investment strategies and a continually updated list of equities that meet each strategy's screening criteria.
"The process of evaluating stocks can be time consuming and daunting," says Ed Rodden, senior vice president for Schwab's Help & Advice initiative. "Investors shouldn't have to fall back to making choices on nothing more than a hunch, rumour or hot tip. Stock Explorer provides sound investment strategies to help clients select individual equities as part of structuring a well diversified portfolio."
The product offers strategies for growth, value, tech companies showing profits, earnings surprise, growth with income and growth at a reasonable price (GARP). It can be used in conjunction with other Schwab research tools and advice services such as Schwab's Equity Report Card, Stock Analyzer and Portfolio Checkup.
Rival brokerage T Rowe Price also unveiled plans to launch a similar tool, Portfolio Spotlight, which advises investors on strategies for building a balanced portfolio.