VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

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Friday, December 26, 2025

Tool Comparison

FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) vs Total Real Returns comparison

Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.

Quick takeaways

FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) adds Portfolio, Watchlist, Alerts, Compounding Calculator, Screeners, ETF Screeners, Financials, Insider Data, Fund Overview, Fund Performance, Fund Holdings, and Fund Rating coverage that Total Real Returns skips.

Total Real Returns includes Risk Metrics categories that FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) omits.

FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) ships a mobile app. Total Real Returns is web/desktop only.

In depth comparison

FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times)

markets.ft.com

Hands-on review

The Financial Times’ markets portal combines global market data with watchlists, portfolios, alerts, and screeners. Free registration unlocks basic tools, while an FT subscription is needed for deeper features like director dealings, detailed company financials and forecasts, and access to the Data Archive PDFs. Market data is delayed at least 15 minutes, with equity prices sourced from LSEG and fund data provided by Morningstar.

Platforms

WebMobile

Pricing

FreeSubscription

Quick highlights

Comprehensive tools hub including watchlists, portfolio tracking, alerts, equities and fund screeners, and a compound growth calculator (beta).
Free accounts allow users to build watchlists, track portfolios, and set price or news alerts directly from instrument pages.
Portfolio tool supports manual transaction entry, shows key fundamentals, and integrates related FT news.
Alerts can be managed on-site or via myFT email preferences.
World Markets and sector pages offer interactive charts, overlays, and performance comparisons.

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Total Real Returns

totalrealreturns.com

Web tool for CPI-U inflation-adjusted ("real") and nominal total return charts with dividends reinvested, plus returns tables and drawdowns (EOD; daily updates ~8pm ET).

Platforms

Web

Pricing

Free

Quick highlights

CPI-U inflation-adjusted "Total Real Return" charts with dividends reinvested (purchasing-power view).
Toggle inflation adjustment on/off (real vs. nominal dollars) on chart pages.
Compare multiple symbols on a single chart by entering comma-separated tickers.
Controls for custom date ranges and normalization modes (Start=1, End=1, IPO=1, Off).
Per-symbol performance breakdown includes overall return, exponential trendline/annualized rates (with R^2), growth of $10,000, annual returns, and drawdowns.

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Where they differ

FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times)

Distinct strengths include:

Portfolio Watchlist Alerts Compounding Calculator Screeners ETF Screeners Financials Insider Data

Comprehensive tools hub including watchlists, portfolio tracking, alerts, equities and fund screeners, and a compound growth calculator (beta).
Free accounts allow users to build watchlists, track portfolios, and set price or news alerts directly from instrument pages.
Portfolio tool supports manual transaction entry, shows key fundamentals, and integrates related FT news.
Alerts can be managed on-site or via myFT email preferences.

Total Real Returns

Distinct strengths include:

Risk Metrics

CPI-U inflation-adjusted "Total Real Return" charts with dividends reinvested (purchasing-power view).
Toggle inflation adjustment on/off (real vs. nominal dollars) on chart pages.
Compare multiple symbols on a single chart by entering comma-separated tickers.
Controls for custom date ranges and normalization modes (Start=1, End=1, IPO=1, Off).

Feature-by-feature breakdown

Attribute	FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times)	Total Real Returns
Categories Which research workflows each platform targets	Shared: Data Visualizations Unique: Portfolio, Watchlist, Alerts, Compounding Calculator, Screeners, ETF Screeners, Financials, Insider Data, Fund Overview, Fund Performance, Fund Holdings, Fund Rating	Shared: Data Visualizations Unique: Risk Metrics
Asset types Supported asset classes and universes	Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Commodities, Currencies	Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Currencies
Experience levels Who each product is built for	Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced	Beginner, Intermediate
Platforms Where you can access the product	Web, Mobile	Web
Pricing High-level pricing models	Free, Subscription	Free
Key features Core capabilities called out by each vendor	Unique Comprehensive tools hub including watchlists, portfolio tracking, alerts, equities and fund screeners, and a compound growth calculator (beta). Free accounts allow users to build watchlists, track portfolios, and set price or news alerts directly from instrument pages. Portfolio tool supports manual transaction entry, shows key fundamentals, and integrates related FT news. Alerts can be managed on-site or via myFT email preferences. World Markets and sector pages offer interactive charts, overlays, and performance comparisons. Subscriber-only features include insider transaction data (Director Dealings), detailed company financials, and analyst forecasts.	Unique CPI-U inflation-adjusted "Total Real Return" charts with dividends reinvested (purchasing-power view). Toggle inflation adjustment on/off (real vs. nominal dollars) on chart pages. Compare multiple symbols on a single chart by entering comma-separated tickers. Controls for custom date ranges and normalization modes (Start=1, End=1, IPO=1, Off). Per-symbol performance breakdown includes overall return, exponential trendline/annualized rates (with R^2), growth of $10,000, annual returns, and drawdowns. Instrument pages include common stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and a USDOLLAR cash/currency series.
Tested Verified by hands-on testing inside Find My Moat	Yes	Not yet
Editor pick Featured inside curated shortlists	Standard listing	Standard listing

Frequently Asked Questions

Which workflows do FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) and Total Real Returns both support?

Both platforms cover Data Visualizations workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.

Do FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) and Total Real Returns require subscriptions?

Both FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) and Total Real Returns keep freemium access with optional paid upgrades, so you can trial each platform before committing.

Which tool has mobile access?

FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) ships a dedicated mobile experience, while Total Real Returns focuses on web or desktop access.

What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?

FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) differentiates itself with Comprehensive tools hub including watchlists, portfolio tracking, alerts, equities and fund screeners, and a compound growth calculator (beta)., Free accounts allow users to build watchlists, track portfolios, and set price or news alerts directly from instrument pages., and Portfolio tool supports manual transaction entry, shows key fundamentals, and integrates related FT news., whereas Total Real Returns stands out for CPI-U inflation-adjusted "Total Real Return" charts with dividends reinvested (purchasing-power view)., Toggle inflation adjustment on/off (real vs. nominal dollars) on chart pages., and Compare multiple symbols on a single chart by entering comma-separated tickers..

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