How to Find Low-Float Stocks Before They Run

Low-float stocks can make the biggest moves of the day, but there are hundreds of them and most do nothing on any given day. The trick is to find the few that are moving on real volume, early. Here's a step-by-step way to do it with a scanner.

1. Set a float limit

Pick what "low float" means for you. Many day traders use under 20 million shares, or under 10 million for the fastest movers. (New to float? Read what float means.) In Nexus Screener, open Filters and choose a float limit: under 5M, 10M, 20M or 50M.

2. Require a move

A small float alone isn't interesting. Add % change today, at least (+5% or +10%) so only stocks already moving show up. Before the open, use Gap %, at least or the Morning Brief instead.

3. Require unusual volume

Add Relative volume, at least (2× or 5×). Time-adjusted relative volume compares today's volume with what's normal for this time of day, so a stock trading heavily at 9:45 AM stands out right away. See relative volume.

4. Sort by where the buying is

Sort by Highest RVOL or Float rotation. Float rotation is today's volume divided by the float: above 1×, the whole float has traded. Those stocks often have the most momentum, and the most risk.

5. Get alerted instead of watching

Save the scan with Save as scan. With Nexus Pro, you get a push alert whenever a new stock matches, so you hear about it as it starts moving. The one-tap Supernova preset already combines a float under 20 million with a 10%+ move and 5× relative volume.

6. Check before you trade

• The catalyst: tap the stock for today's news and its catalyst tags.
• Dilution: low-float companies often sell new shares. Check the Filings tab for recent S-3, 424B or ATM filings (why it matters).
• Liquidity: a low float with low volume is hard to get out of. Look for heavy volume, not just a small float.
• History: each stock's page shows its past runs, such as the ones listed on daily runners.

Shortcuts

See today's list on low-float stocks moving today, or open the ready-made scan from the low-float scanner page.