Magic Formula Investing adds Screeners coverage that Value Investors Club (VIC) skips.
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ FINANCIAL TOOLS & SERVICES DIRECTORY ★
PRICE: 5 CENTS
Monday, November 10, 2025
Tool Comparison
Magic Formula Investing vs Value Investors Club (VIC) comparison
Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.
Quick takeaways
Value Investors Club (VIC) includes Forums categories that Magic Formula Investing omits.
In depth comparison
Magic Formula Investing
magicformulainvesting.com
Free stock screener based on Joel Greenblatt’s Magic Formula strategy. Covers only U.S.-listed equities, excluding financials and utilities. Users choose a minimum market cap and get either 30 or 50 ranked results. Prices are updated daily on trading mornings, and fundamentals refresh quarterly. Free registration is required.
Categories
Platforms
Web
Pricing
Free
Quick highlights
- Straightforward screener with only two inputs: minimum market cap (USD, millions) and number of results (30 or 50).
- Universe restricted to U.S.-listed equities, excluding financial and utility companies.
- Ranks companies on two factors: high earnings yield (low P/E) and high return on capital, with minor accounting adjustments.
- Update cadence: price data refreshed daily around 8:00 AM ET on trading days; financial data updated quarterly.
- Underlying data source is S&P Compustat. Official guidance suggests focusing on larger caps for less volatility and holding at least 20 stocks.
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Value Investors Club (VIC)
valueinvestorsclub.com
Hands-on review
A legendary forum for deep-dive investment write-ups, founded in 1999 by Joel Greenblatt and John Petry. Membership is free but extremely selective, with obligations to contribute original ideas to stay active. Guests can read older ideas on a delayed basis, while full members have real-time access and can join discussions. Twice a month, the best write-up earns a $5,000 prize. The site carries no ads and no paid subscriptions, emphasizing community quality over monetization.
Categories
Platforms
Web
Pricing
Free
Quick highlights
- Highly selective membership: applicants must submit a current idea to be considered; only a few hundred active members at any time.
- Members are required to post at least two ideas per year (up to six) and rate 20 ideas annually to maintain access.
- Each idea has its own discussion thread, with members able to mark certain comments as private (visible to members only).
- Guest users can browse delayed content: free signup grants access to 45-day-old ideas, while non-logged visitors see ideas after 90 days.
- Robust search and filters for idea discovery, including long/short orientation, performance, ratings, and geography.
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Where they differ
Magic Formula Investing
Distinct strengths include:
- Straightforward screener with only two inputs: minimum market cap (USD, millions) and number of results (30 or 50).
- Universe restricted to U.S.-listed equities, excluding financial and utility companies.
- Ranks companies on two factors: high earnings yield (low P/E) and high return on capital, with minor accounting adjustments.
- Update cadence: price data refreshed daily around 8:00 AM ET on trading days; financial data updated quarterly.
Value Investors Club (VIC)
Distinct strengths include:
- Highly selective membership: applicants must submit a current idea to be considered; only a few hundred active members at any time.
- Members are required to post at least two ideas per year (up to six) and rate 20 ideas annually to maintain access.
- Each idea has its own discussion thread, with members able to mark certain comments as private (visible to members only).
- Guest users can browse delayed content: free signup grants access to 45-day-old ideas, while non-logged visitors see ideas after 90 days.
Feature-by-feature breakdown
| Attribute | Magic Formula Investing | Value Investors Club (VIC) |
|---|---|---|
Categories Which research workflows each platform targets | Shared: Stock Ideas Unique: Screeners | Shared: Stock Ideas Unique: Forums |
Asset types Supported asset classes and universes | Stocks | Stocks, Bonds |
Experience levels Who each product is built for | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
Platforms Where you can access the product | Web | Web |
Pricing High-level pricing models | Free | Free |
Key features Core capabilities called out by each vendor | Unique
| Unique
|
Tested Verified by hands-on testing inside Find My Moat | Not yet | Yes |
Editor pick Featured inside curated shortlists | Standard listing | Standard listing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which workflows do Magic Formula Investing and Value Investors Club (VIC) both support?
Both platforms cover Stock Ideas workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.
Do Magic Formula Investing and Value Investors Club (VIC) require subscriptions?
Both Magic Formula Investing and Value Investors Club (VIC) keep freemium access with optional paid upgrades, so you can trial each platform before committing.
How can you access Magic Formula Investing and Value Investors Club (VIC)?
Both Magic Formula Investing and Value Investors Club (VIC) prioritize web or desktop access. Investors wanting a mobile-first workflow may need to rely on responsive web views.
What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?
Magic Formula Investing differentiates itself with Straightforward screener with only two inputs: minimum market cap (USD, millions) and number of results (30 or 50)., Universe restricted to U.S.-listed equities, excluding financial and utility companies., and Ranks companies on two factors: high earnings yield (low P/E) and high return on capital, with minor accounting adjustments., whereas Value Investors Club (VIC) stands out for Highly selective membership: applicants must submit a current idea to be considered; only a few hundred active members at any time., Members are required to post at least two ideas per year (up to six) and rate 20 ideas annually to maintain access., and Each idea has its own discussion thread, with members able to mark certain comments as private (visible to members only)..
Keep exploring
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.