How to Use European Broker Research Tools to Find Top Stocks and ETFs

Finding the best stocks and ETFs to invest in is easier than ever, thanks to the powerful research tools offered by leading European brokers. But to actually benefit, you need to know how to use these features effectively. In this tutorial, we’ll guide you step-by-step through screening, comparing, and analyzing investment options using the research dashboards of Trade Republic, DEGIRO, and Interactive Brokers—all with practical EUR-based examples. As we covered in our complete guide to the best European low-cost brokers, choosing the right platform is just the first step. This article focuses on getting the most from broker research tools, so you can confidently build your investment shortlist.

Step 1: Log In and Locate the Research Section

What to do: Start by logging in to your broker’s web or mobile platform. Each broker has a dedicated area for research and analysis:

• Trade Republic: Tap the Search tab in the app, then select Explore or use the search bar to find stocks or ETFs.
• DEGIRO: After logging in, navigate to Products → Stocks/ETFs, or use the Search bar.
• Interactive Brokers (IBKR): In the Client Portal, click Research or Markets from the top navigation. On the mobile app, tap More → Research.

Why it matters: These sections are where you’ll find the broadest set of screening and analysis tools. Starting here ensures you access the full range of data.

What can go wrong: If you don’t see a “Research” or “Markets” option, you may be on a limited-view account or using a simplified app version. Try switching to the desktop site or updating your app.

Step 2: Use Screening Tools to Filter Stocks and ETFs

What to do: Use your broker’s built-in screener to filter investments by region, sector, market cap, performance, and other criteria.

• Trade Republic: In the Explore area, scroll to Discover ETFs or Discover Stocks. Tap Filter to select criteria such as “Dividend Yield > 2%”, “Sector: Healthcare”, or “Country: Germany”.
• DEGIRO: Go to Products → ETF, then click Filter. Set filters such as “Domicile: Ireland”, “TER < 0.25%”, or “Asset Class: Equity”.
• Interactive Brokers: In the Research section, select Screeners → ETF Screener or Stock Screener. Apply filters like “Region: Europe”, “P/E Ratio < 20”, or “Dividend Yield > 3%”.

Why it matters: Screening allows you to quickly narrow thousands of choices to a focused list based on your investment goals. For example, if you want a low-cost global equity ETF, you can filter for “TER < 0.2%” and “Global” exposure. This is far more efficient than browsing randomly.

What can go wrong: Too many or too few filters can return either no results or an overwhelming list. Start with 2–3 major criteria, then refine.

Sample EUR-Based Scenario:

• You want a diversified, Eurozone-focused ETF with low fees for a €5,000 investment.
• In DEGIRO, set “Domicile: Ireland”, “TER < 0.2%”, and “Region: Eurozone”.
• You should now see options like the iShares Core EURO STOXX 50 UCITS ETF (Acc) (ISIN: IE00B53L3W79) with a TER of 0.10%.

Step 3: Compare Key Metrics and Analytics Dashboards

What to do: Once you have a shortlist, use the analytics dashboards to compare financials, performance, and risk metrics side-by-side.

• Trade Republic: Select an ETF or stock, then tap Details. View charts for 1Y, 5Y, and max performance, as well as data on dividends, top holdings, and sector allocation.
• DEGIRO: Click on any stock or ETF to open the Product Details page. Review charts, fund facts, and “Key Figures” like P/E ratio, dividend yield, and historical returns.
• Interactive Brokers: Use the Quote Details or Fundamentals tab to see deep analytics: price/earnings, EPS growth, volatility, Sharpe ratio, and more. For ETFs, see underlying holdings and sector splits.

Why it matters: Reviewing these metrics helps you understand both the potential return and the risks. For example, a low TER ETF may have high tracking error, or a high-dividend stock may have declining earnings.

What can go wrong: Some data, like yield or performance, may be reported gross of fees or based on different time periods. Always check the definitions (usually available as tooltips or in the “?” icons).

EUR Example: You compare the iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (Acc) (ISIN: IE00B4L5Y983, TER: 0.20%) against the Xtrackers MSCI World UCITS ETF (Acc) (ISIN: IE00BJ0KDQ92, TER: 0.19%). You see that both have similar 5Y performance, but the iShares fund has a slightly lower tracking error and broader base of assets.

Step 4: Dive into Financials and Analyst Ratings

What to do: For any stock or ETF, review the underlying financials and, where available, analyst consensus ratings.

• Trade Republic: Scroll down on the asset’s page to find “Analyst Ratings” (if available). You’ll see a summary: Buy / Hold / Sell, and sometimes price targets. For ETFs, review top holdings and sector breakdown.
• DEGIRO: Open the product page and click “Financials” for stocks. For ETFs, view “Composition” and “Key Information Document (KID)” for regulatory disclosures.
• Interactive Brokers: Use the “Analyst Ratings” tab for consensus scores from Morningstar, Reuters, or other data feeds. For financials, review Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow tabs. For ETFs, use the “Fund Reports” link for detailed fact sheets.

Why it matters: Analyst ratings and financials provide a sanity check. For example, a stock with a high dividend yield but a consensus “Sell” rating may be a value trap. For ETFs, knowing the top holdings helps you avoid unwanted concentration risk.

What can go wrong: Analyst coverage varies by stock and region. Smaller European stocks may lack ratings. For ETFs, always read the KID to understand the fund’s risks and costs.

EUR Example: In Trade Republic, you look up Siemens AG and see it has a “Buy” consensus from 18 analysts, with a median EUR 180 price target (current price: €165). Reviewing its financials, you see stable revenue growth and a 3.1% dividend yield.

Step 5: Set Up and Manage Watchlists

What to do: Save interesting stocks and ETFs to your watchlist so you can track price movements, news, and new research updates over time.

• Trade Republic: Tap the “star” icon on any asset page to add it to your watchlist. Access your watchlist from the main screen.
• DEGIRO: On the product page, click “Add to Favourites”. Your favourites are available under the “Favourites” tab.
• Interactive Brokers: Click the “+ Watchlist” button on any asset. You can create multiple watchlists (e.g., “Euro Dividend Stocks”, “Global ETFs”).

Why it matters: Watchlists help you monitor your ideas and act quickly when opportunities arise. They also make it easier to spot trends or news affecting your shortlist.

What can go wrong: If you forget to check your watchlist regularly, you might miss key events, earnings announcements, or price changes.

For deeper tracking, consider using an external portfolio tracker. See our detailed guide on the best portfolio tracking apps for European investors.

Step 6: Make Your First EUR-Based Investment (Optional)

What to do: Once you’re confident in your research, you can place a trade directly from the asset’s page.

• Trade Republic: Tap Buy, enter the amount in EUR (e.g., €500), and confirm. For ETFs, you can also set up a monthly savings plan (Portfolio → Savings Plan → Select ETF).
• DEGIRO: Click Buy, enter your order details (e.g., buy €1,000 of iShares MSCI World ETF), and review before confirming.
• Interactive Brokers: Click Trade, set the amount in EUR, and place your order. IBKR supports both “market” and “limit” orders for precision.

Expected outcome: You should see your trade confirmed, with your first ETF or stock added to your portfolio. For example, after purchasing €1,000 of iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF, you’ll see it appear in your holdings with the current EUR value.

For a broader comparison of how these brokers stack up for ETF investing, see our ultimate comparison of Trade Republic, DEGIRO, and Interactive Brokers.

Common Mistakes When Using Broker Research Tools

• Over-relying on analyst ratings: These are helpful but not foolproof. Combine them with your own analysis.
• Ignoring costs: Always check the Total Expense Ratio (TER) for ETFs and all transaction fees for stocks.
• Not reading the KID or factsheet: These contain crucial risk and cost disclosures, especially for ETFs.
• Setting too many (or too few) screening filters: This can result in missing good options or being overwhelmed by irrelevant results.
• Failing to check currency and domicile: Some ETFs are listed in USD or GBP. Always confirm you’re buying the EUR-denominated version if that’s your preference.

Next Steps

• Repeat this research process regularly—markets change, and new products appear often.
• If you want to learn about fractional investing, see our detailed guide to fractional shares for European investors.
• To compare overall broker experience, fees, and security, revisit our complete guide to Europe’s best low-cost brokers.
• Practice building and maintaining your watchlist, and consider using an external tracker as your portfolio grows.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and consider consulting a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.