By: Charissa Roberson, Information Services Assistant
April is National Financial Literacy Month, making it the perfect time to highlight one of The Library’s free-to-access resources, Weiss Financial Ratings!
This database provides reliable information on stocks, banks, insurance companies, and more, as well as a variety of tools to help you deepen your understanding and build confidence in the world of finance. Let’s dive in and learn more about what Weiss Financial Ratings has to offer and how it can benefit you.
Weiss Financial Ratings is divided into three main categories: investments, banking & insurance, and personal finance. We’ll look at each category in turn and go over how to navigate the database to find what you need.
First, let’s look at investments. This category is divided into stocks, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Based on thousands of data points, Weiss Financial Ratings assigns these investments a BUY, HOLD, or SELL rating. A “BUY”- rated investment will have an A or B grade, indicating that Weiss would recommend purchasing shares. A “HOLD” rating with a C grade suggests keeping an eye on this investment if you have it, while a “SELL” rating with a D or E grade means that Weiss would recommend selling your shares.
These types of ratings are what Weiss calls “investment ratings.” A higher rating means you are more likely to get a good reward with minimal risk, while a lower rating means the return on your investment may not outweigh the risks involved.
You can begin your search by clicking “Start your search for stocks.” From this page, you can use the Quick Search option if you already know the name or ticker symbol of the stock you’re interested in. If you want to search more broadly, you can browse pre-prepared searches, look for stocks by sector or rating, or build your own search (called a “screener”) with personalized criteria. When you click on a stock, you can view its profile, which includes vital information about the stock, its rating history over the years, and a comparison tool where you can line stocks up side by side and compare their numbers.
The setup of these search options is the same across the entire database. Click over to mutual funds and ETFs. Notice that, while some terms may be different, the organization and functionality of the pages are the same. The same goes for the pages on banks, credit unions, and insurance companies. Once you get used to using one section of Weiss Financial Ratings, the other sections will start to feel familiar and straightforward to navigate.
The other type of rating that Weiss provides is “safety ratings.” These apply to banks, credit unions, and insurance companies and follow a letter-grade system (A-E, Excellent to Very Weak). A higher rating means the institution is more likely to remain strong and stable over time, while a lower rating suggests it might not be able to sustain economic difficulties. These ratings can help you determine what institutions to entrust with your hard-earned money.
Remember, you will find all the same sorts of search tools on these pages as you found under investments. There is a Quick Search tool, an option to build a customized search, and a selection of pre-prepared searches for your convenience. Want to view the profile of a listed bank, credit union, or insurance company? Simply click on the name. Want to compare banks or insurance companies? Use the side-by-side comparison tool.
Finally, Weiss offers a variety of educational tools to assist you on your personal finance journey. Browse their library of e-Books and learn how to become an investor, how to make and stick to a budget, how to plan for retirement, and much more. These e-Books take complicated subjects and explain them in clear, easy-to-understand language. You can even access consumer guides and printable worksheets to help you plan and organize.
Whew! We’ve just presented you with a ton of information – so if you’re still feeling uncertain, don’t worry. Weiss Financial Ratings offers FREE webinars on a variety of topics, from how to use the database to tips on shopping for insurance. All you have to do is sign up! Or you can always watch tutorials in their Video Library or type a question in their Chat service.
This April, take charge of your financial literacy and check out the wealth of resources that Weiss Financial Ratings has to offer!