MoatScopeDavid Park
Growth & Quality Metrics
David focuses on quality scoring, return on capital, profitability trends, and what makes a stock worth holding for the long run.
Articles (78)
What Is Fiscal Dominance?
Understand what happens when government debt levels become so large that they constrain central bank policy — and what it means for stock and bond investors.
How MoatScope's Quality Score Works: Seven Pillars
A deep dive into the seven pillars that make up MoatScope's Quality Score — from Returns on Capital to Moat & Position.
What Is a Holding Company?
Learn how holding companies work, why they exist, how they differ from conglomerates, and how to evaluate them as investments.
How Demographics Affect the Stock Market
Understand how population aging, birth rates, immigration, and generational wealth transfer shape long-term stock market returns and sector performance.
Why the US Dollar Is the World's Reserve Currency
Understand what a reserve currency is, why the US dollar holds that status, how it affects American investors, and what could change it.
Small Cap Stock Screener: Finding Hidden Quality
How to screen small cap stocks for quality — the extra filters you need, the risks to manage, and the tools that work best for small caps.
High Quality Growth Stocks: How to Screen for Compounders
How to screen for high-quality growth stocks — compounders that combine strong competitive moats with durable earnings growth at reasonable prices.
Best Stock Screener for Swing Trading
The best stock screeners for swing trading in 2026 — tools that combine technical filters with fundamental quality for multi-day to multi-week trades.
How Earnings Season Works
Everything investors need to know about earnings season — when it happens, what to look for in reports, and how to use earnings data in your analysis.
Yahoo Finance Stock Screener: Honest Review for 2026
A straightforward review of the Yahoo Finance stock screener — what it does, its limitations, and better alternatives for serious investors.
The Altman Z-Score: Predicting Bankruptcy Before It Happens
The Altman Z-Score predicts financial distress using five ratios. Learn how to calculate it, interpret the zones, and use it as a screening tool.
Google Finance Stock Screener: What Happened to It?
Google Finance once had a popular stock screener. Here's what happened to it, what replaced it, and the best alternatives in 2026.
US Stock Screener: Best Tools for US Equities
The best US stock screeners for filtering American equities by fundamentals, quality, and valuation — free and paid options compared.
TradingView Screener: Strengths and Weaknesses
A complete review of the TradingView stock screener — charting integration, filters, global coverage, and where quality-focused investors need more.
Best Stock Screeners in 2026: A Complete Guide
The best stock screeners of 2026 compared — from free tools like Finviz to quality-focused platforms. Find the right screener for your investing style.
AI Stock Screeners: How They Work and Which Are Worth It
AI stock screeners use machine learning to analyze stocks beyond simple filters. Learn how they work, their limits, and which ones deliver real value.
Free Alternatives to Morningstar Premium
The best free alternatives to Morningstar Premium for stock research — moat ratings, fair value estimates, and quality analysis without the $249 price tag.
Finviz Stock Screener: Full Review and Best Alternatives
A complete review of the Finviz stock screener — its strengths, limitations, free vs Elite, and the best alternatives for different investing styles.
Morningstar Alternatives: 7 Tools Worth Trying
The best Morningstar alternatives for stock research in 2026 — free and paid tools for moat analysis, fair value, and quality screening.
What Is the Velocity of Money? How Fast Cash Moves
The velocity of money measures how quickly money circulates in the economy. Learn what it reveals about economic health and why it matters for inflation.
The Middle-Income Trap: When Growth Stalls Out
The middle-income trap occurs when developing countries stall before reaching wealthy status. Learn why it happens and what it means for EM investors.
What Is a Current Account Deficit? Trade Imbalances
A current account deficit means a country imports more than it exports. Learn why deficits form, whether they're dangerous, and what they mean for markets.
What Is the Phillips Curve? Inflation vs. Unemployment
The Phillips Curve shows an inverse relationship between inflation and unemployment. Learn the theory, why it broke down, and what it means today.
What Is Secular Stagnation? The Low-Growth Trap
Secular stagnation is a prolonged period of slow growth despite easy monetary policy. Learn the theory, causes, and implications for long-term investors.
What Is Japanification? Decades of Stagnation
Japanification is the risk of an economy falling into prolonged stagnation with low growth, low rates, and deflation. Learn the lessons for investors.
What Is the Great Moderation? Stable Growth Explained
The Great Moderation was a period of unusually stable economic growth from 1984 to 2007. Learn why it ended and what it means for market expectations.
What Is a Share Repurchase? How Buybacks Work
A share repurchase is when a company buys back its own stock. Learn how buybacks work, why they matter, and when they create or destroy shareholder value.
What Is Dutch Disease? The Resource Curse Explained
Dutch disease is when a natural resource boom harms other industries. Learn how it works, real-world examples, and why diversification matters.
What Is a Reverse Stock Split? Warning Signs to Watch
A reverse stock split reduces share count to boost the stock price. Learn why companies do it, what it signals, and why it's usually a red flag.
What Is the Gold Standard? History and Modern Debate
The gold standard pegged currencies to gold reserves. Learn how it worked, why it was abandoned, and why some still advocate returning to it.
What Is the Gini Coefficient? Measuring Inequality
The Gini coefficient measures income or wealth inequality in a population. Learn how it works, what it reveals about economies, and its market relevance.
What Is Corporate Governance? Why Shareholders Care
Corporate governance is how companies are directed and controlled. Learn why it matters, what good governance looks like, and its impact on stock returns.
What Is Fiat Currency? Money Without Gold Backing
Fiat currency has value because governments declare it legal tender, not because it's backed by gold. Learn how it works and why it matters for investors.
What Are Economic Sanctions? Trade Weapons Explained
Sanctions restrict trade and finance to pressure governments. Learn how they work, their effectiveness, and how they create risks and opportunities.
What Is Protectionism? Trade Barriers and Markets
Protectionism shields domestic industries through tariffs, quotas, and subsidies. Learn why governments use it, the economic trade-offs, and stock impacts.
Debt-to-GDP Ratio: Measuring a Country's Fiscal Health
The debt-to-GDP ratio compares government debt to economic output. Learn what it measures, when it's dangerous, and how it affects financial markets.
What Is a Liquidity Trap? When Low Rates Stop Working
A liquidity trap occurs when low interest rates fail to stimulate the economy. Learn how it happens, Japan's example, and what it means for investors.
What Is a Zombie Company? When Firms Can't Cover Debt
A zombie company earns too little to cover its debt payments. Learn how they form, why they persist, and why quality investors should avoid them entirely.
What Is Capital Flight? When Money Leaves a Country
Capital flight is the rapid outflow of money from a country. Learn what triggers it, its economic consequences, and how it affects global stock investors.
What Is Austerity? When Governments Cut Spending
Austerity cuts spending and raises taxes to reduce deficits. Learn why it's controversial and how it affects economic growth and stock markets.
What Is Supply-Side Economics? Tax Cuts and Growth
Supply-side economics argues that tax cuts and deregulation drive economic growth. Learn the theory, the debate, and what it means for stock investors.
What Is a Currency Peg? Fixed Exchange Rates Explained
A currency peg fixes one currency's value to another. Learn how pegs work, why countries use them, why they break, and what happens when they do.
What Is a Sovereign Debt Crisis? When Nations Default
A sovereign debt crisis occurs when a country can't repay its debts. Learn what triggers them, historical examples, and how they ripple through markets.
What Is Hyperinflation? When Money Becomes Worthless
Hyperinflation destroys a currency's value in weeks or months. Learn what causes it, historical examples, and how investors protect wealth during collapse.
What Is Globalization? Trade, Investment, and Markets
Globalization connects economies through trade, investment, and technology. Learn how it shaped markets, its recent retreat, and what it means for stocks.
The Wealth Effect: How Asset Prices Change Spending
The wealth effect means people spend more when their assets rise in value. Learn how it works, why it matters for stocks, and its limits.
What Is a Reserve Currency? The Dollar's Global Role
A reserve currency is held by central banks worldwide. Learn why the US dollar dominates, what threatens its status, and how it affects US stocks.
What Is Monetary Policy? How the Fed Moves Markets
Monetary policy is how central banks control money supply and interest rates. Learn how Fed decisions work and why they matter for every stock investor.
What Is the Debt Ceiling? Why Markets Watch It Closely
The debt ceiling limits how much the US government can borrow. Learn why it exists, what happens when it's breached, and how it rattles financial markets.
What Is Insider Trading? Legal vs. Illegal Explained
Insider trading can be legal or illegal depending on context. Learn the difference, why it matters, and how legal insider activity signals stock quality.
What Is a Trade Deficit? Imports, Exports, and Markets
A trade deficit means a country imports more than it exports. Learn what drives trade imbalances, why they're debated, and how they affect stock investors.
What Is Fiscal Policy? Government Spending and Markets
Fiscal policy uses government spending and taxation to shape the economy. Learn how it works, how it differs from monetary policy, and its stock impact.
What Is TAM? Total Addressable Market for Investors
TAM estimates how large a company's market opportunity is. Learn how it's used in stock analysis, when to trust it, and when it's misleading.
What Are Tariffs? How They Affect Stocks and the Economy
Tariffs are taxes on imported goods. Learn how they work, why governments impose them, and how they ripple through the stock market and corporate profits.
25 Warren Buffett Quotes Every Investor Should Know
Buffett's quotes distill decades of wisdom into memorable phrases. Here are 25 of his best — with context on what each one means for your investing.
What Is GDP? Why Investors Track Economic Growth
GDP measures the total output of an economy. Learn what it is, how it's calculated, why it matters for stock markets, and what it can't tell you.
What Is a Conglomerate? Benefits, Risks, and Investing
A conglomerate owns businesses across unrelated industries. Learn how they work, why they trade at discounts, and when they're quality investments.
What Is a Proxy Statement? Reading Between the Lines
The proxy statement reveals executive pay, board composition, and shareholder votes. Learn what it is, what to look for, and why quality investors read it.
Buffett's Circle of Competence: Invest in What You Know
Buffett only invests in businesses he understands. Learn what the circle of competence means, how to define yours, and why it prevents costly mistakes.
What Is a Cyclical Stock? Risks and Opportunities
Cyclical stocks rise and fall with the economy. Learn which industries are most cyclical, how to value them differently, and when quality investors buy.
What Is a Growth Trap? When Growth Destroys Value
Not all growth creates shareholder value. A growth trap lures investors with rising revenue while destroying returns. Learn the warning signs.
What Is a Stock Screener? How to Use One Effectively
A stock screener filters thousands of stocks by criteria you choose. Learn how screeners work, the best filters for quality investors, and common mistakes.
What Is the Federal Reserve? Why Investors Care
The Federal Reserve controls interest rates and money supply. Learn how the Fed works, why its decisions move markets, and what it means for stocks.
What Is Insider Buying? Why It's a Bullish Signal
When executives buy their own company's stock with personal money, it's a strong bullish signal. Learn what insider buying reveals and its limits.
How to Pick Stocks: A Step-by-Step Process
Stock picking doesn't require genius — it requires a repeatable process. Learn the steps that quality investors follow to select winning stocks.
Quality vs. Momentum: Which Factor Wins?
Quality investing buys the best businesses. Momentum buys stocks going up. Learn how each works, their track records, and why quality is more durable.
Cost of Capital: The Hurdle Every Business Must Clear
Cost of capital is the minimum return a business must earn to create value. Learn what it is, how it connects to ROIC, and why it matters for investors.
Buy and Hold Investing: Why Patience Pays
Buy and hold means buying quality stocks and holding them for years. Learn why this simple strategy beats most active approaches over the long run.
How to Research Stocks Online: Tools and Resources
Free tools make stock research more accessible than ever. Learn the best online resources for financial data, analysis, filings, and screening.
Fundamental vs. Technical Analysis: Which Is Better?
Fundamental analysis studies business quality. Technical analysis studies price charts. Learn how each works, their strengths, and which suits your style.
What Is Inflation? How It Affects Your Investments
Inflation erodes purchasing power over time. Learn what causes it, how it impacts stocks and bonds, and which investments protect against it.
What Is a 10-Bagger? How to Find Multi-Bagger Stocks
A 10-bagger returns 10× your investment. Learn what drives multi-bagger returns and the quality characteristics these stocks share.
What Is Capital Allocation? A Guide for Investors
Capital allocation is how companies deploy their cash. Learn the five options, what good allocation looks like, and why it drives long-term returns.
Why Earnings Consistency Matters More Than Growth
Consistent earnings are a hallmark of quality. Learn why steady results beat volatile growth and how to measure earnings consistency.
How to Evaluate Company Management as an Investor
Great businesses need great leaders. Learn the key signals that reveal whether management is creating or destroying shareholder value.
What Makes a High-Quality Stock?
Quality stocks share measurable traits that drive long-term outperformance. Learn how to identify and screen for high-quality stocks.
How to Analyze a Stock Before Buying
A step-by-step framework for analyzing any stock — from reading financials to assessing competitive advantage and determining fair value.
What Is a Quality Score for Stocks?
Stock quality scores measure business excellence across ROIC, margins, and competitive position. Learn how to use them to screen for quality.