How are Zen Scores calculated and how often are they updated?

The Zen Score can help you quickly understand the fundamental strengths and weaknesses of a stock in minutes.

We've taken time-tested fundamental analysis and used software to automate the process into easily digestible results and single-line explanations.

How Zen Scores are calculated:

The single Zen Score gives you an overview of a stock's fundamentals based on multiple due diligence checks run across 5 dimensions:

• Valuation – we compare the current stock price to its intrinsic value, using a number of time-tested stock valuation methods
• Financials – we analyze the company’s financial strength (or weaknesses)
• Forecast – we apply analyst estimates of future growth to key metrics and benchmarks
• Performance – we analyze the past performance of the company
• Dividends – we examine the stability and growth potential of the company’s dividends.

For each dimension, we run between 5-10 due diligence checks.

If a stock passes a due diligence check, we give it a 1. If it fails, we give it a 0. Then, for each dimension, we add up all the 1s and divided by the total number of checks within that dimension and multiply by 100.

For example, since there are 7 Valuation checks, if a stock passed 5 of those, then we would score it: 5/7 * 100 = 71 for Valuation.

The Total Zen Score is then calculated by taking the average score from the 5 dimensions, providing you a single figure which represents the holistic view of the stock's fundamentals.

For example, let's look at Apple:

AAPL is scoring 29 for Valuation, 57 for Financials, 33 for Forecast, 70 for Performance, and 60 for Dividend.

29+57+33+70+60 = 249 / 5 = a Zen Score of 50

For an even more detailed look on how we calculate the Zen Score, click here.

How often Zen Scores are updated:

Since the Total Zen Score is a composite based on the 5 dimensions, some data updates daily while some data only updates quarterly.

For example, the Valuation and Performance dimensions use the stock's current price (which fluctuates daily) in their analyses, while the inputs for the Financials and Dividend dimensions are typically only reported quarterly.

In a category of its own, the Forecast dimension is heavily reliant on analyst estimates, predictions, and recommendations, which come out on varying schedules.

So then, Zen Scores may update daily, but not every input used to calculate the Zen Score should be expected to change that frequently.

Another reason to add your favorite stocks to your watchlist:

To learn more about Zen Score

Read about it on our blog: How Zen Score Automates Fundamental Analysis Checks

Or watch this video on YouTube: This Stock Research Hack Can Save You Hours of Painful Analysis