Alpha Discovery · Practical Playbook
#11 How to Turn Deep Dive Results Into Buy Candidates
04/08/2026 · 6 min read
Workflow guide based on a live Deep Dive filtering example.
📍 Home › ANALYSIS_1 › Alpha Score Top 20
0) Where to Find This Widget
From the 12-tile dashboard, open ANALYSIS_1. Use Single-Stock Deep Dive and the Alpha Discovery scanner output on that page as inputs to this workflow.
Live capture of Dashboard in Inveflo.
1) TL;DR
- This process converts scanner output into a daily Top 5 action list.
- It matters because unfiltered lists create analysis paralysis and late entries.
- Use it before market open and update after the first 30 minutes.
Key Takeaways
- PriorityScore formula: 40% ExplosiveScore + 25% CSS + 20% Composite Market Score + 15% Volume Surge Ratio. This 4-factor weighting balances momentum (ExplosiveScore), trend strength (CSS), macro regime (Composite), and volume participation (VSR) equally.
- Screen-in thresholds enforce discipline: ExplosiveScore ≥ 75 AND Composite Market Score ≥ 50 are hard gates. This dual threshold eliminates volatility-only plays and ensures macro alignment. Without both, the stock fails screening regardless of other factors.
- Volume Surge Ratio gate at 1.2+: Only Top 5 candidates with VSR > 1.2 execute. This prevents low-participation rallies where price moves without conviction. A stock ranking high on PriorityScore but with VSR < 1.2 signals weak follow-through and should be watched, not traded.
- Risk discipline over signal strength: Pre-define entry, stop, and invalidation before any order. A strong ranking without a pre-set exit plan is a setup for revenge trading and blown accounts. The workflow enforces this discipline at execution step #5.
2) Hook (Pain-Driven)
Most investors fail when they try to pick winners from too many names without hard cut rules. The result is delayed entries and poor risk-adjusted returns.
3) Problem
Deep Dive can produce many interesting symbols, but interest is not conviction. You need a repeatable filter that forces ranking discipline.
4) Solution (Widget Introduction)
Use Single-Stock Deep Dive outputs with ExplosiveScore, CSS, and Composite Market Score to shrink the list into five high-priority names.
5) Logic Breakdown (Formula + Thresholds)
- Screen-in: ExplosiveScore ≥ 75 and Composite Market Score ≥ 50
- Reject: CSS downtrend for 2+ sessions or weak participation
- Rank: PriorityScore descending
- Select Top 5: only names with Volume Surge Ratio > 1.2
- Execution plan: define entry, stop, and invalidation before order placement
6) Practical Use (IF X → THEN Y)
- If PriorityScore ≥ 80, then keep in today's Top 5 execution set.
- If score is 70-79, then keep on watch and wait for volume confirmation.
- If score drops below 70 after open, then remove from active list.
Should I buy now? Only when the name remains in Top 5 after open validation. Is this signal strong? Strong means score persistence plus participation. What should I do next? Execute the predefined plan or skip.
7) Common Mistakes
- Treating ranked candidates as automatic buy signals
- Accumulating names without clear reject rules
- Entering without predefined stop/exit logic
This is not a standalone buy signal and should be used with trend and risk confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ExplosiveScore and PriorityScore?
ExplosiveScore measures stock volatility and explosive potential (40% weight in PriorityScore formula). PriorityScore combines ExplosiveScore with CSS, Composite Market Score, and Volume Surge Ratio Scoring to rank buy candidates. PriorityScore is actionable; ExplosiveScore is one signal component.
Should I buy immediately if a stock ranks in the Top 5?
No. Top 5 ranking means the stock passed screening thresholds and earned consideration. Execution requires confirmation: pre-market validation of the ranking, market-open volume confirmation, and a predefined entry/stop plan. Only proceed if Top 5 status persists after open validation.
How often should I update the ranked list after market open?
Update immediately after the first 30 minutes of trading. ExplosiveScore, CSS, and Volume Surge Ratio change intraday. Stocks that rank Top 5 pre-open may drop below screen-in thresholds within the first half hour due to volume decline or price rejection. Second update at 60 minutes helps confirm participation momentum.
What if a stock drops below the screen-in threshold (ExplosiveScore <75 or Composite Market Score <50) mid-session?
Remove it from the active execution list immediately. The drop signals loss of the favorable condition that triggered the ranking. Do not try to salvage the trade by lowering standards. A mid-session disqualification often precedes a trend reversal or volume collapse. Wait for the next setup instead.
Related Blog Posts
- #1 Single-Stock Deep Dive Guide — Learn the foundational Deep Dive widget and ExplosiveScore formula before narrowing results.
- #2 Alpha Discovery Scanner Explained — Understand the scanner that produces the candidate list you filter with this workflow.
- #4 Breakout Radar Signal Quality — Combine this five-step filtering workflow with breakout confirmation signals for higher-confidence entries.
CTA: Check Today's Top 5 Stocks Now
CTA: Open Scanner and Find Opportunities
Scan the full S&P 500, compare quality and signal scores, and build your watch list before market open.