What Is CANSLIM?

CANSLIM is a system for selecting growth stocks by using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis techniques. It was created by Investor's Business Daily founder William J. O'Neil.

Understanding CANSLIM

CANSLIM, or CAN SLIM, identifies a process that investors can use to identify stocks that are poised to grow faster than average. Each letter in the acronym stands for a key factor to look for when purchasing shares.

Stocks that are CANSLIM candidates show the following attributes:

1. C: Current quarterly earnings per share (EPS) have increased sharply from the same quarter in the prior year. Generally, investors using CANSLIM want EPS growth of over 25%, but the higher the better.
2. A: Annual earnings increases over the last three years. Again, annual EPS growth should ideally be in excess of 25% over the last three to five years.
3. N: New products, management, or positive new events that push the company's stock to new highs. This type of headline news can cause short-term excitement, propelling a surge of optimism within the market and subsequent price appreciation.
4. S: Scarce supply coupled with a strong appetite for a stock creates excess demand and an environment in which share prices can soar. Companies acquiring (re-purchasing) their own stock reduces market supply and can indicate an expectation of increased demand along with insider confidence in the firm.
5. L: Laggard stocks are preferred within the same industry. Use the relative strength index (RSI) as a guide. The RSI is a momentum indicator that measures the magnitude of price changes to determine whether the price of a stock or asset is overbought or oversold. The RSI ranges from zero to 100. An RSI reading below 30 suggests that the stock is oversold and could be undervalued—creating a buying opportunity (bullish). An RSI reading of above 70 signifies that a stock could be overbought or overvalued and could be a chance to sell (bearish).
6. I: Pick stocks that have institutional sponsorship by a few institutions with recent above-average performance. For example, this could be a recently public company, still supported by a small handful of well-known private equity firms. Be cautious of stocks that are over-owned by institutions as you want to get in before the big money is fully invested.
7. M - Determine market direction by reviewing market averages daily. A market average measures the overall price level of a given market, as defined by a specified group of stocks, such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average. CANSLIM stocks tend to be over-performers in bull markets.

Advantages and Disadvantages of CANSLIM

CANSLIM is a bullish strategy for fast markets, so it is not for everyone. The idea is to get into high-growth stocks before the institutional funds are fully invested.

The elements of CANSLIM can be read like a wish list for fund managers seeking growth, so it is a matter of time until the buying demand increases. The catch is that stocks that fit the CANSLIM strategy can be among the fastest to drop if the market direction shifts and those big-spending institutional investors begin switching to safe-havens.

CANSLIM can be a good fit for an experienced investor with high risk tolerance. These stocks cannot be bought and simply held as much of the value is being priced in for future growth. Any slowing in the growth trajectory, or the market as a whole, may result in the stock being punished.

Investopedia does not provide tax, investment, or financial services and advice. The information is presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.

Correction—Dec. 2, 2022: This article has been edited to reflect that the L in CANSLIM stands for both "Leaders" and "Laggards" in the original CANSLIM model created by William J. O’Neil, and not only for "Laggards".