Introduction
Most retail investors spend countless hours scrolling through stock charts, financial reports, and news headlines—yet still end up buying what’s already in the limelight. By the time they discover a “hot stock,” it’s usually too late. The smart money already bought in and moved on.
But what if you could spot hidden gems before the crowd? That’s exactly what the best Screener queries for stock selection can help you do.
Screener.in is one of the most powerful (and free!) tools available to Indian investors. Yet, most people only use it to check ratios or copy screens from others. The real edge lies in custom queries—a feature that lets you filter thousands of stocks based on the exact criteria that matter to you.
Whether you’re a value investor, a growth hunter, or a momentum trader, the right query can show you high-potential stocks in seconds—without having to dig through endless data.
In this blog, you’ll learn:
- How to write simple but powerful Screener queries
- Which 5 custom queries uncover undervalued, high-growth, or breakout-ready stocks
- How to combine these filters for even sharper results
We’ll also share real examples and tweaks to help you go beyond theory.
Let’s dive into the best Screener queries for stock selection to boost your stock-picking game.
Undervalued, High-ROCE, Debt-Free Compounders
When investors think of long-term wealth creators, they often chase popular names — but true compounders often hide in plain sight, masked by low liquidity, niche sectors, or outdated perceptions. This query is designed to unearth exactly those kinds of stocks — undervalued businesses with strong profitability, almost zero debt, and committed promoters.
Why this Screener Query Works
Market Capitalization < Net Worth AND
Return on Capital Employed > 20 AND
Debt to Equity < 0.2 AND
Promoter Holding > 50 AND
Sales growth > 10 AND
OPM > 15 AND
Price to Earning < 25Here’s what we screened for:
- Market Cap < Net Worth → Indicates that the market is undervaluing the company relative to its book value.
- ROCE > 20% → High capital efficiency — every ₹100 invested into the business earns ₹20+ in return.
- Debt/Equity < 0.2 → Near-zero debt ensures the business isn’t pressured during slowdowns or rate hikes.
- Sales Growth > 10% → Shows that the company is not just stable, but expanding.
- Operating Margin > 15% → Higher pricing power and operational excellence.
- P/E < 25 → Valuations are still reasonable.
Together, these factors narrow down a rare breed of stock: profitable, debt-free, growing, and still available at a discount.
Results Snapshot
We applied the query and found only two stocks that passed this strict filter — a sign of how rare these opportunities are:
These aren’t the usual Nifty names — and that’s the point.
What Makes These Stand Out?
- Taparia Tools is trading at a P/E of just 0.35 — yes, that’s not a typo. It’s virtually being ignored by the market, despite delivering a near-48% ROCE.
- James Warren Tea, with its over 1600% YoY profit growth, shows how some legacy businesses in niche sectors (like tea exports) can deliver surprise performances when the cycle turns.
These companies reflect the power of deep value meets operational excellence — ideal hunting ground for patient investors.
Screen for Consistent Compounders with High Promoter Confidence
When you’re looking to invest for the long term, chasing news-driven momentum or one-quarter wonders isn’t sustainable. Instead, focus on companies with a proven track record of profit compounding, backed by promoter confidence and low financial risk. These are often the quiet wealth creators in any portfolio.
In this section, we ran a precise Screener query with six powerful filters to surface these gems.
Filters Applied in Screener
Profit growth 5Years > 20
Sales growth 5Years > 15
Return on Equity > 18
Debt to equity < 0.3
Promoter holding > 65
Price to Earning < 30
These filters help us spot companies that:
- Grow both top line and bottom line steadily over 5 years
- Manage capital efficiently with high ROE
- Stay conservative on debt, reducing bankruptcy risk
- Have promoters holding a large stake, showing long-term skin in the game
- Aren’t excessively valued on earnings
Sample Screener Output (July 2025)
Here are a few companies that met our conditions. You can insert a screenshot right below this section:
These stocks don’t always make headlines, but their fundamentals speak volumes. Backtesting such screens often leads to discovering underappreciated compounders early in their wealth-creation cycle.
Export-Oriented Stocks with Strong Fundamentals
India’s export sector is booming, from pharma and auto ancillaries to chemicals and FMCG. With global supply chains realigning and India becoming a preferred export partner, businesses that generate a significant share of revenue from exports are poised for structural tailwinds.
But simply exporting isn’t enough — we want export-focused companies that are also fundamentally strong: consistently growing, efficient with capital, and backed by high promoter confidence.
That’s where this next query comes in.
Filters Applied in Screener
Market Capitalization > 1000 AND
Return on Capital Employed > 20 AND
Return on Equity > 20 AND
Profit growth > 15 AND
Sales growth > 12 AND
Debt to equity < 0.3
Why These Filters?
- Market Cap > ₹1000 Cr ensures scale and liquidity.
- ROCE > 20% & ROE > 20% highlight companies that earn high returns on both total and equity capital — a sign of business efficiency.
- Consistent growth in both sales and profits separates sustainable exporters from cyclical plays.
- Low debt reduces downside risk from interest rate swings or export volatility.
Together, these conditions help us identify export champions with both global scale and domestic resilience.
Sample Screener Output (July 2025)
Key Takeaway
Export-oriented companies with strong internal metrics can outperform domestic-only peers — especially when global demand shifts in their favor. But by applying smart filters, you don’t just bet on an “export story” — you bet on solid businesses with runway and resilience.
Pro Tip:
You can combine this export screen with additional metrics like Operating Profit Margin > 20 or Free Cash Flow > 0 to refine for high-quality, cash-generating exporters.
Free Cash Flow Kings with High ROCE
While many investors chase profit growth, savvy investors know that real wealth is built on cash flow. Profits can be manipulated through accounting adjustments—but free cash flow (FCF) shows how much cash a company actually retains after operations and investments.
Combine that with high Return on Capital Employed (ROCE), and you’ve got a recipe for capital-efficient cash generators — companies that can grow without constantly raising debt or equity.
Why This Screener Query Works
Free cash flow > 0 AND
Return on Capital Employed > 25 AND
Price to Earning < 35 AND
Debt to equity < 0.3 AND
Profit growth > 15 AND
Sales growth > 12
Let’s break down the rationale:
- Free Cash Flow > 0: Filters out companies that burn cash.
- ROCE > 25%: Picks capital-efficient businesses that extract more profit per rupee of investment.
- P/E < 35: Avoids paying too high a price for quality.
- Low debt: Focuses on financially strong, less risky firms.
- Double-digit growth: Ensures these businesses aren’t just efficient—they’re expanding.
These filters help identify the ideal combination: cash-rich, growth-focused, and prudent.
Sample Screener Output (as of July 2025)
Here’s a snapshot of what the query returned:
Why These Stocks Stand Out
- Eicher Motors remains a benchmark in operational efficiency—its cash flows support aggressive expansion without debt.
- National Aluminium combines deep value (P/E < 7!) with massive FCF — perfect for cyclical commodity investors.
- Aditya AMC & Hexaware Tech reflect growing segments (asset management and IT) with low capital intensity and consistent cash churn.
- International Geo. is a lesser-known play with 68% ROCE — suggesting a niche moat few investors have discovered.
These businesses show that quality and cash generation don’t always require sky-high valuations.
Discover High-Growth Small Caps with Strong Profitability
Most investors chase mid or large-cap stocks, assuming safety lies in size. But some of the biggest multibaggers in Indian stock market history started off as obscure small caps with solid fundamentals. This third query is crafted to find exactly those kinds of stocks — the ones quietly compounding in the background.
Screener Query Used
Market Capitalization < 1000 AND
Sales growth > 15 AND
Operating Profit Margin > 12 AND
Debt to Equity < 0.3 AND
Profit growth > 20 AND
Return on Equity > 15
Why This Query Works
We’re looking for companies that are:
- Undervalued by market size (Market Cap < ₹1,000 Cr)
- Growing fast both in sales and profits
- Financially strong with low debt and healthy ROE
- Operationally efficient, delivering OPMs over 12%
Together, these filters uncover promising businesses flying under the radar — the kind of early-stage compounders that long-term investors dream of finding.
Sample Results (July 2025)
Here are a few companies that passed this filter:
- Prime Securities – With a 0-debt balance sheet and 42% operating margins, this financial services firm is quietly compounding earnings with over 60% profit growth.
- TAC Infosec – A cyber-security player showing triple-digit growth in both sales and profits. High OPM (53%) and promoter holding near 57% signal high conviction.
- Monolithisch Industries – ROE over 50% and strong operating leverage make this industrial manufacturer worth watching.
- Owais Metal and Mineral Processing – This niche metals player posted a 166% sales growth YoY with robust 30% margins.
- Selan Exploration Tech – A small-cap oil & gas company with low debt and consistent profitability.
These aren’t the stocks you’ll see plastered on YouTube thumbnails or social media hype reels. But with strong numbers and low valuations, they hold serious upside potential — provided you’re patient and do the homework.
Pro Tip: Run this screen every quarter and track how many of these stocks consistently stay on the list. Those are your likely long-term wealth creators.
Conclusion: Turn Data into Decisions
The difference between a mediocre and a high-conviction investor often comes down to information — and how it’s filtered.
As you’ve seen throughout this blog, the Best Screener Queries for Stock Selection aren’t about throwing in fancy ratios or copying someone else’s formula. They’re about clarity. Knowing exactly what kind of company you’re looking for — be it an undervalued compounder, a consistent performer, or a fast-growing small cap — and then building your filters around it.
With tools like Screener.in, you don’t need to wait for research reports or tips. You can run your own analysis, shortlist promising stocks in minutes, and build an investing system that’s truly your own.
Here’s how to make the most of it:
- Use these Best Screener Queries for Stock Selection as templates — but tweak them to suit your goals.
- Save your queries and re-run them quarterly to catch trends early.
- Don’t just chase numbers — combine these results with qualitative research.
Ultimately, the Best Screener Queries for Stock Selection help you do what every great investor aims for: spot high-potential ideas before they become obvious.
Your edge isn’t in predicting the future — it’s in preparing for it better than the crowd.
FAQs on Best Screener Queries for Stock Selection
What is Screener.in and how does it work
Screener.in is a free web‐based stock database that lets you filter and compare listed Indian companies using custom queries built from financial metrics.
Do I need a paid account to run the queries in this blog
No. All the “Best Screener Queries for Stock Selection” shared here work on the free version of Screener.in.
How often should I run these queries
Running them once every quarter—after companies release results—helps you catch fresh ideas without information overload.
Can I combine two or more queries into one
Yes. You can merge filters from different queries inside the Screener query builder to create a tighter, more personalized screen.
Why do some queries return very few stocks
Strict filters narrow the universe to only the highest-quality matches; a small result count often indicates stronger conviction ideas.
What if a good company fails one of my filters
Use the screen as a starting list, then manually review near-miss candidates—sometimes a single outlier metric masks an otherwise solid business.
Are these queries suitable for day trading
No. They focus on fundamentals and are intended for positional or long-term investing, not intraday trades.
How do I save a query for future use
After running a screen, click “Save this query” on Screener, give it a name, and it will appear under your saved screens for quick reruns.
Can I export query results to Excel
Yes. Use the “Export to Excel” link at the top of the results page to download a spreadsheet for deeper analysis.
Is high promoter holding always good
Generally it shows management commitment, but still check corporate governance, related-party transactions, and pledge data before investing.
