Dear All,
We decided not to renew our ValueLine weekly ratings data. This weekend will be the last time we update the data.
We are very sorry about this but the return on investment is just not there.
Sincerely
Hi Marco,
Sorry to hear that but VL was poorly integrated into P123 live portfolios anyway.
Walter
Marco, are there any other subscriptions that you have which could be on the chopping block over the next 12 months? It would be great to have say 3 months notice of termination and keep it posted in a place that is easily seen. Thanks.
That is o.k. with me.
Marco, thank you for providing this magnificent service.
That’s too bad, I thought the valueline rankings were at times useful for screening in value strategies; but if ROI not there, I suppose no other choice.
Also, Thanks x 2 to Marco
I dont care/use VL, but further notice would be appreciated in future data changes.
Any news on European data? is it going to be this decade? 
Thanks
"Any news on European data? is it going to be this decade?
Not likely, if past development here on European data is the gauge.
We’re addressing the reasons why P123 is still a very niche product, so the European data is on hold for this year. Our current international users would not cover the costs, so we need to go into Europe with a product that is appealing to a wider audience. It will hopefully make sense soon.
Thank for your feedback
PS. All the side projects that we release (like stock compare) are just that , side projects to keep programmers in tiptop shape.
How much longer Marco?
Why does AAII even exist anymore?
I have respect for AAII which is the point.
I will leave the details to those smarter than me. Would you just duplicate the rules for all of their screens? Provide a basic monthly screener that–theoretically at least-- might be better than a mailed CD? Universes and rankings an upgrade? Again, I leave the details to someone smarter than me–someone who understands the cost of computer resources at least.
Assuming there is a market there, AAII should be put out of business in 6 months or forced to keep up technologically. We do all believe in markets and competition don’t we? And often, ads just inform–nothing wrong with that. But maybe they do not have many subscribers–I used to subscribe, BTW.
Make SA–with ads for it–an upgrade.
Jim - I don’t understand what you are rambling on about…
Steve, sorry. P123 should not be a “niche product.” There should not even be an AAII or a Zacks unless the word is not out or entry pricing is too high or…P123 should own those markets.
I probably do not understand what is the best target market for P123 is, however.
I do want P123 to succeed and even get European data. But who knows maybe it is best if not too many people know about it. I am certainly not complaining.
Thanks Marco for the update.
While I am sad about another European data delay, I understand you need to balance “nice to have” and financial viability.
“All the side projects that we release (like stock compare) are just that , side projects…”
What are the main projects then??
P123 barely competes with AAII or Zacks entirely due to marketing. Think about AAII - commentary from John Bogle, 2MM+ members, chapters around the country, nonprofit corporation, nearly 40 year history. Whether they are “best in class” or not, there’s a lot of credibility built in to all of those features. And by and large financial advice decisions are made on emotions like trust (and biases like loss aversion and so on).
Think about the perception of P123 Smart Alpha from an outsider’s POV, by comparison. So there’s this guy I never heard of, and he has a magical stock market model which generates a bazillion percent a year, and I can have it for only $19.99/mo. Uh… pass. And even if I do take a flyer on this nobody and his magic beans, as soon as it underperforms for more than a few months, I’m outta here (trust/credibility, loss aversion, etc).
You want P123 to take over the world it has to deal with people as they are, not as we wish they were.
I also would like to know what the Main Projects are.
Some time ago, P123 was working on making a streamlined front-end web page that would make it easy for newcomers to sign up for models without going through too much hassle. Is this still in the works? What’s the ETA?
I get the credibility part. But I was a member. I missed the great features.
And actually, when it came to putting money on their models, the credibility was missing for me.
Often there were only a few low liquidity stocks on the screen. I did not fully understand slippage then. But I new they were leaving that part out–never discussing it.
But I do agree SA alone would not attract them. It would take a low entry price screener and I personally would completely duplicate their screens. The screens were not their idea in the first place.
Possibly a monthly screener, no universe and no rank (similar to what AAII provides on a CD-or buggy download) would not strain computer resources. But I don’t know.
2 million plus?
I too am a current member of AAII and used SIPro before I found P123. I learned many shortfalls of using a screener though SIPro (unfortunately). Like a stock’s liquidity and issues of high turnover systems (their Earnings Estimates screen). And no automated way to make weekly trading easier, etc, etc.
AAII does a lot of marketing and education. I have learned from their papers and stock screen overviews. But their investing platform is not realistic, IMHO.
AAII would be doing their more sophisticated members a favor by referring them to P123 for tools instead of promoting their own SIPro. P123’s capabilities are far superior to AAIIs. And for their members who like to invest in individual stocks but don’t feel comfortable about investing in a model of their own creation, have them use an P123 SA model. Very easy to invest that way.
" nearly 40 year history". I think that P123 is on the right track of promoting in-sample. It will probably take 5 years of data before someone like Jason Zweig does an article on P123 to show its progress. So be it. Good things take time.
If P123 has to invest time to support users who are paying higher fees, than that is fine with me. Keeps my fee lower that way. So I may not agree with what P123 rolls out all the time but I get that they have to go where the money is. That is ok.