Frequently asked questions
The questions that come up most, grouped so you can find yours.
Reading the product
What a phase means
Is a phase a buy or sell signal?
No. A phase describes a company's reported results compared with its own history. Share prices depend on much more, including valuation and expectations. Many investors use the phase to decide which companies deserve a closer look.
Why is a fast-growing company in Contraction?
Phases compare a company with its own history. A company growing 28% a year that has usually grown 40%, with shrinking margins, is below its own average, even though it's still growing.
What does the Evidence score mean?
How well supported the current reading is: whether the underlying metrics agree, whether the move has lasted several quarters, and how long the phase has held. It describes the strength of the evidence. It doesn't estimate how long the phase will last.
What does Price alignment mean?
How consistently this company's share price has risen in its stronger phases and fallen in its weaker ones. Some stocks track their business closely, while others are driven by commodity prices, trial results or sentiment.
The data
Where it comes from, and what it covers
Where does the data come from?
Every figure comes from the company's 10-Q and 10-K filings with the SEC. Each company page shows the quarter its latest figures cover. Institutional holdings come from Form 13F filings.
How often is it updated?
A company updates when we process its next quarterly or annual filing. The market-wide report comes out monthly, and institutional data updates after each quarterly 13F deadline.
Which companies do you cover?
About 2,200 operating companies that file quarterly and annual reports (10-Q and 10-K) with the SEC, with at least $50 million in revenue over the last twelve months, a quarter reported in the last six months, and at least two years of quarterly history. Banks, insurers, REITs, exchanges, commodity pools and foreign companies that report once a year (Form 20-F) aren't included, because a reading on them would mislead. Plans & pricing lists what we leave out and why.
What can't 13F data tell me?
13F filings arrive up to 45 days after quarter-end, show only long positions in US-listed securities, and exclude shorts and most derivatives. An institution may have traded since the filing date.
Your account
Billing and what we don't do
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes, at any time. Open Manage billing on your Account page and cancel there. A monthly plan runs to the end of the period you have paid for. An annual plan runs to the end of its year. Cancel at least 14 days before it renews and you will not be charged again.
Do you give personal investment advice?
No. CycleIQ publishes the same research for every subscriber and doesn't know your circumstances.
Not answered here? Check the Glossary, get in touch, or start with Methodology, which covers how a phase is built.