Clarion Value Screener

Clarion value screener

Implements the two-stage pipeline from docs/ALLOCATION-POLICY.md. Stage 1 (cast the net + score + sector cap + watchlist) is the script's job. Stage 2 (filing-level deep dives + thesis starters) is delegated to clarion-single-stock-eval per top candidate.

When to use

User asks any of:

• "Run a value screen."
• "Screen the S&P 500 for new candidates."
• "Screen NVDA, AAPL, ADBE."
• "What names should I be looking at right now?"

Cadence guidance (from AWB):

• Monthly — full screen
• After market drawdowns — opportunistic
• After regime changes — especially Green→Orange or Orange→Red

Decision tree

1. Resolve scope. If the user named specific tickers, use --tickers. Otherwise, the chat agent should prepare a JSON input by:

   • Running clarion-regime-check to confirm regime
   • Running clarion-expected-return-calc to confirm hurdle
   • Using WebFetch on a screener site (multpl.com / Yardeni / finviz) with regime-appropriate filters per docs/ALLOCATION-POLICY.md
   • Building a JSON file with the resulting candidates (see schema below)

2. Run the script.

   # Tickers list mode (script fetches yfinance fundamentals)
   python /home/workspace/clarion-intelligence-system/skills/clarion-value-screener/scripts/screen.py \
       --tickers NVDA,AAPL,ADBE,LULU,AOS
   
   # JSON input mode (chat agent prepared the candidates)
   python ... screen.py --input ~/clarion/queue/screen-input.json
   

3. Read the watchlist file the script wrote. Path is printed at the end. The file is the structured output; pass it through to the user verbatim for the tables, then walk them through the [TODO] sections (Sniff Test, Passed On, Existing Theses Impact).

4. Fill the Sniff Test sections by running clarion-single-stock-eval on each top-cap candidate that isn't already covered by an active thesis. Use the eval output to write the sniff-test snapshot per the AWB watchlist examples.

5. Existing Theses Impact — list any top candidate that already has a thesis in ~/clarion/theses/. If so, summarize whether the screen confirms or challenges the existing thesis.

How to run

SCREEN=python /home/workspace/clarion-intelligence-system/skills/clarion-value-screener/scripts/screen.py

# Tickers mode (most common when user names a list)
$SCREEN --tickers NVDA,AAPL,ADBE,LULU,AOS

# JSON input mode (full S&P 500 screen via WebFetch by chat agent)
$SCREEN --input ~/clarion/queue/screen-input.json

# Override context
$SCREEN --tickers NVDA,AAPL --rf-rate-pct 4.45 --sp500-cape 35.2

# Custom universe label and target size
$SCREEN --tickers NVDA,AAPL,... --universe "Russell 1000" --top-size 15

JSON input schema

{
  "screen_date": "2026-05-07",
  "context": {
    "regime_color": "orange",
    "danger_state": false,
    "rf_rate_pct": 4.45,
    "hurdle_rate_pct": 10.45,
    "sp500_cape": 35.2,
    "sp500_trailing_pe": 28.4,
    "implied_return_low_pct": 0.0,
    "implied_return_high_pct": 3.0,
    "universe": "S&P 500",
    "notes": "Mega-cap led rally; verify breadth before sizing."
  },
  "candidates": [
    {
      "ticker": "NVDA",
      "company": "NVIDIA Corp",
      "sector": "Tech",
      "pe": 35.2,
      "pfcf": 40.0,
      "roe": 0.55,
      "roic": 0.42,
      "op_margin": 0.62,
      "profit_margin": 0.55,
      "de": 0.25,
      "insider_pct": -0.2,
      "market_cap": 3000000000000,
      "price": 140.50
    }
  ]
}

Margin / yield / return fields are decimals (0.20 = 20%). Insider activity is a signed percent (positive = net buying). Any field can be omitted; the composite formula reduces its weight share when data is missing.

Voice

Lead with the regime + screening stance (one line). Then surface the top 3 by composite with the most interesting one-line take. Then point at the watchlist file for the full ranked table and detail.

When the script flags a candidate's contributing_weight as low (< 60), call it out — that means the score is based on partial data and shouldn't be over-weighted.

Hard rules

1. Never fabricate fundamental data. If the screener site or yfinance doesn't return a metric, leave it None and let the contributing-weight surface the gap.
2. Regime adjusts aggressiveness, not quality. In Red/Danger, deeper discounts required — never lower the quality bar.
3. The screener finds candidates, not positions. The output is a watchlist with thesis starters. The principal reviews and decides what gets a full thesis.
4. Document what you passed on. The "Passed On" section is as valuable as the winners.
5. Stage 2 requires filings. Don't generate a thesis starter without indexed filings — run clarion-sec-research index <TICKER> first if needed.

On error

• SCREEN_ERROR: regime unavailable — yfinance cache empty for SPY/TLT/RSP. Run clarion-regime-check first.
• SCREEN_ERROR: --tickers or --input required — supply one of them.
• SCREEN_ERROR: input file not found — check the --input path.
• _warning: yfinance fetch failed for <TICKER> — non-fatal; that ticker's score will be based on partial data. The script continues.