The S&P 500 has delivered back-to-back 25%+ years, yet here you are researching active trading services instead of buying an index fund. That tells me something: you believe timing and selection matter, and you’re looking for an edge. IBD Leaderboard promises exactly that — a curated list of top growth stocks with precise entry and exit points, powered by William O’Neil’s legendary methodology. But at $699/year, it costs 3.5x what most stock picking services charge. The question isn’t whether the methodology works (it has a 40-year track record). The question is whether you’ll work the methodology.
Quick Verdict: Is IBD Leaderboard Worth It?
IBD Leaderboard is worth it for active traders who want institutional-quality stock selection with exact buy and sell points. At $699/year, you’re paying for a complete trading system — not just stock picks, but when to buy, at what price, and when to sell. The catch: this only works if you can actually act on alerts. If you want to buy stocks and forget them for five years, save your money and look at Stock Advisor instead.
Rating: 3.8/5 — Strong methodology, premium execution guidance, but requires active participation that most investors won’t commit to.
Best for: Active traders who want real-time alerts with entry and exit points, have a self-directed brokerage account, and can act on recommendations within hours (not days).
The IBD Methodology: 40 Years of Studying Winners
IBD Leaderboard isn’t built on hunches. It’s built on William O’Neil’s research into what winning stocks have in common before they make their biggest moves. O’Neil founded Investor’s Business Daily in 1984 after studying every major market winner going back to the 1880s. The patterns he identified became the CAN SLIM methodology — now rebranded as the “IBD Methodology.”
Here’s what makes this different from typical stock picking:
It’s systematic, not subjective. The methodology looks for stocks with:
- Strong current earnings growth
- Accelerating annual earnings
- New products, management, or price highs
- Limited supply (smaller float)
- Leading industry group
- Institutional sponsorship
- Market direction confirmation
Advanced algorithms scan thousands of stocks daily against these criteria. Then a team of market experts narrows the list to 10-15 stocks that make the Leaderboard.
The methodology has institutional credibility. Since May 2021, Investor’s Business Daily has been part of Dow Jones (News Corp family). This isn’t a newsletter run from someone’s basement — it’s backed by one of the most respected financial media organizations in the world.
The limitation: IBD doesn’t publicly disclose specific performance numbers the way some competitors do. They claim to “help you get market-beating results,” but you won’t find a “750% since inception” headline. This is a gap worth acknowledging — you’re trusting the methodology’s logic and history rather than a verified track record.
Try IBD Leaderboard — $39 Trial
What You Actually Get: The Complete Trading System
IBD Leaderboard isn’t just a list of stocks. It’s a complete trading system with four core components:
1. Curated Stock List (10-15 Picks)
At any time, the Leaderboard holds 10-15 stocks that meet the IBD criteria. These aren’t “buy and hold forever” positions — they’re actively managed based on technical and fundamental signals.
2. Exact Buy Points
This is where Leaderboard differs from most services. You don’t just get “buy XYZ stock.” You get: “Buy XYZ at $142.50, which is the breakout point from a cup-with-handle pattern.” The team studies charts to identify ideal entry points where risk/reward is most favorable.
3. Exact Sell Points
Every position comes with defined exit criteria — both for taking profits and cutting losses. O’Neil’s methodology famously advocates cutting losses at 7-8% to prevent small losses from becoming catastrophic. Leaderboard tells you exactly when to sell.
4. Real-Time Alerts
Multi-channel notifications (email, desktop, mobile) alert you when:
- A stock hits its buy point
- It’s time to add to a position
- It’s time to take profits
- It’s time to cut a loss
You don’t have to watch the market all day. But you do need to be able to act within hours — not days — when alerts hit for optimal entry points.
Bonus: Free Product Coaching
Unique to IBD, members can schedule free one-on-one coaching sessions with Leaderboard experts. This is unusual in the industry — most services charge extra for personalized guidance.
Try IBD Leaderboard — $39 Trial
How IBD Leaderboard Actually Works
The daily process looks like this:
- Algorithms scan thousands of stocks against IBD criteria
- Experts curate the top 10-15 that make the cut
- Charts are analyzed to identify precise buy points
- Alerts are sent when stocks hit actionable levels
- You execute the trade in your own brokerage account
The philosophy is straightforward: buy leading stocks in leading industry groups when they break out of proper chart patterns, and sell them when they hit profit targets or trigger stop-losses.
This is momentum investing with discipline. You’re not trying to catch falling knives or buy beaten-down value plays. You’re buying strength and riding trends until they end.
The key insight: The methodology assumes you’ll have losers. O’Neil’s research showed that even the best stock pickers are wrong 40-50% of the time. The edge comes from cutting losers quickly (7-8% loss) while letting winners run (20-25%+ gains). Asymmetric returns over time.
IBD Leaderboard Pricing: Is $699/Year Worth It?
The Cost Structure:
| Option | Price | Per Week |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | $699/year | $13.44/week |
| Monthly | $69/month ($828/year) | $15.92/week |
| Trial | $39 for 4 weeks | $9.75/week |
The Math:
Let’s be realistic about breakeven. If you invest $10,000 per Leaderboard recommendation and just ONE trade captures a 10% gain that you wouldn’t have found yourself, that’s $1,000 in profit. You’ve paid for the service for nearly 1.5 years.
But that’s the optimistic case. The realistic case: some trades lose money (the methodology expects this), some win, and over time the winners should outpace the losers. The $699 becomes trivial compared to portfolio gains — but only if you follow the system consistently.
Compared to Alternatives:
- Stock Advisor: $199/year — buy-and-hold approach, less active
- Alpha Picks: $499/year — quant-driven, monthly picks
- IBD Leaderboard: $699/year — active trading with precise entry/exit
You’re paying 3.5x what Stock Advisor costs. The question is whether you’ll use the additional features (real-time alerts, exact buy/sell points) or whether you’d be better served by a simpler buy-and-hold approach.
The Trial Trap:
The $39/4-week trial is a good way to test the service. But be warned: you must cancel at least 7 days before the trial ends to avoid being charged. The trial auto-converts to $69/month if you don’t cancel. Set a calendar reminder.
Refund Policy:
No prorated refunds. If you cancel mid-term, you retain access until your current period ends, but you won’t get money back. This is standard for the industry but worth knowing upfront.
The Trade-Offs: Pros and Cons
What Works Well
Precise execution guidance. Most stock picking services tell you what to buy. Leaderboard tells you what, when, and at what price. For active traders, this is invaluable.
Proven methodology. The IBD/CAN SLIM approach has 40+ years of history. It’s not a black box — the criteria are transparent and based on decades of research into winning stocks.
Real-time alerts. You don’t have to watch the market all day. Alerts tell you when to act.
Free coaching. One-on-one sessions with experts are included — unusual in this space.
Institutional backing. Part of Dow Jones/News Corp since 2021. This isn’t a fly-by-night operation.
What Doesn’t
Requires active participation. Despite marketing to “busy investors,” you need to act on alerts promptly. If you can’t check your phone during market hours, you’ll miss opportunities.
Higher turnover. This isn’t buy-and-hold. Expect to make trades regularly, which means more decisions and potentially more stress.
No public performance data. Unlike Stock Advisor’s “750% since 2002” claim, IBD doesn’t publish verified returns. You’re trusting the methodology, not a specific track record.
Premium pricing. At $699/year, it’s significantly more expensive than passive stock picking services.
Trial cancellation policy. The 7-day-before-end cancellation requirement is aggressive. Miss the window and you’re charged $69.
Who IBD Leaderboard Is For (And Who It Isn’t)
This Is For You If:
- You want to be an active trader but don’t have time for full-time research
- You can act on alerts within hours, not days
- You’re comfortable with higher turnover and making regular trading decisions
- You have a self-directed brokerage account and know how to execute trades
- You appreciate technical analysis and chart-based entry points
- You can handle losses — the methodology expects 40-50% of trades to lose money
This Is NOT For You If:
- You want buy-and-hold investing. Leaderboard requires active monitoring. If you want to buy stocks and forget them, try Stock Advisor instead.
- You can’t monitor alerts during market hours. Breakout points are time-sensitive. If you’re in meetings all day, you’ll miss opportunities.
- You’re outside the U.S. Services are limited to U.S. residents.
- You want guaranteed returns. No methodology guarantees profits. Historical patterns don’t ensure future results.
- You’re uncomfortable with losses. If a 7-8% loss on a position will shake your confidence, the active trading approach may not suit your psychology.
Best Alternatives to IBD Leaderboard
If Leaderboard isn’t the right fit, consider these alternatives:
For Buy-and-Hold Investors: Motley Fool Stock Advisor
Price: $199/year | Style: Long-term holdings
Stock Advisor recommends 2 stocks per month with a 5+ year holding horizon. No entry/exit points, no real-time alerts — just buy and hold. It’s returned 750%+ since 2002 vs. 170% for the S&P 500. If you don’t want to actively trade, this is the better choice at one-third the price.
For a detailed comparison of these two approaches, see our Stock Advisor vs IBD Leaderboard breakdown.
For Quant-Driven Selection: Seeking Alpha Alpha Picks
Price: $499/year | Style: Monthly quant picks
Alpha Picks uses quantitative models to select 2 stocks per month. Less active than Leaderboard but more systematic than Stock Advisor. Good middle ground if you want data-driven selection without daily alerts.
See how it stacks up in our Alpha Picks review for the full analysis.
For Research-Focused Investors: Morningstar Investor
Price: $249/year | Style: Deep research, fair value estimates
Morningstar Investor provides analyst ratings and fair value estimates for thousands of stocks. No specific buy/sell alerts, but comprehensive research for investors who want to make their own decisions.
Read our Morningstar Investor review for a complete breakdown of features and pricing.
Final Verdict: Should You Subscribe to IBD Leaderboard?
IBD Leaderboard is worth $699/year for active traders who will actually use it.
The methodology is sound — 40+ years of research into what winning stocks look like before they win. The execution guidance is excellent — precise buy points, sell points, and real-time alerts. The institutional backing (Dow Jones/News Corp) adds credibility.
But this only works if you work it. If you’ll act on alerts, follow the sell discipline, and accept that 40-50% of trades will lose money, Leaderboard can be a powerful tool. If you’ll buy stocks and then ignore the sell signals, or if you can’t check alerts during market hours, you’re paying for features you won’t use.
My recommendation: Start with the $39 trial. Use it actively for 4 weeks. If you find yourself acting on alerts and following the system, the annual subscription is worth it. If you find yourself ignoring alerts or second-guessing every recommendation, cancel before the trial ends and try a simpler buy-and-hold service instead.
The system works. The question is whether you’ll work the system.
Not sure if active trading is right for you? Compare all your options in our guide to the best stock advisors.
Start Your $39 IBD Leaderboard Trial
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IBD Leaderboard worth the money?
IBD Leaderboard is worth $699/year for active traders who want professional stock selection with precise entry and exit points. The methodology has 40+ years of history, and the real-time alerts eliminate the need to watch the market constantly. However, it’s not worth it for buy-and-hold investors who won’t act on the alerts — they’d be better served by a simpler service like Stock Advisor at $199/year.
What are the best alternatives to IBD Leaderboard?
The best alternatives depend on your investing style. For buy-and-hold investors, Stock Advisor ($199/year) offers long-term picks with a 750%+ track record. For quant-driven selection, Alpha Picks ($499/year) provides monthly data-driven recommendations. For research-focused investors, Morningstar Investor ($249/year) offers deep analysis and fair value estimates.
IBD Leaderboard vs Motley Fool Stock Advisor?
IBD Leaderboard ($699/year) is for active traders who want real-time alerts with precise buy/sell points and are comfortable with higher turnover. Stock Advisor ($199/year) is for buy-and-hold investors who want to purchase quality stocks and hold them for 5+ years with minimal monitoring. Leaderboard requires more engagement but offers more execution guidance; Stock Advisor is simpler but requires patience through volatility.
For a detailed side-by-side comparison, see our Stock Advisor vs IBD Leaderboard analysis.
How do I cancel IBD Leaderboard?
You can cancel IBD Leaderboard by calling 800-831-2525 or through your account settings at investors.com. Important: if you’re on a trial, you must cancel at least 7 days before the trial ends to avoid being charged. There are no prorated refunds — if you cancel mid-term, you retain access until your current period ends but won’t receive money back.
Does IBD Leaderboard actually work?
The IBD methodology (formerly CAN SLIM) has been used by successful traders for over 40 years. It’s based on William O’Neil’s research into what winning stocks have in common before their biggest moves. The methodology is systematic and transparent. However, IBD doesn’t publicly disclose specific performance numbers like some competitors do, so you’re trusting the methodology’s logic rather than a verified track record. Results depend heavily on whether you follow the system — including cutting losses quickly and letting winners run.
What is the IBD Leaderboard trial?
IBD Leaderboard offers a $39 trial for 4 weeks, giving you full access to the service. The trial auto-converts to a $69/month subscription unless you cancel at least 7 days before the trial period ends. This is a good way to test whether the active trading approach suits your style before committing to the $699 annual subscription.
How many stocks are on IBD Leaderboard at any time?
IBD Leaderboard maintains a curated list of 10-15 stocks that meet the strict IBD methodology criteria at any given time. The list is actively managed — stocks are added when they break out from proper chart patterns and removed when they hit profit targets or trigger stop-losses. This focused approach differs from services that accumulate hundreds of recommendations over time. The small, manageable list means you can realistically follow every position and act on alerts promptly, which is essential for the active trading methodology to work effectively.
What is the CAN SLIM methodology that IBD Leaderboard uses?
CAN SLIM is a growth stock selection methodology developed by William O’Neil after studying every major stock market winner from the 1880s through the 1980s. The acronym stands for: Current quarterly earnings (25%+ growth), Annual earnings growth (25%+ for 3-5 years), New products/management/price highs, Supply and demand (smaller float preferred), Leader in industry group, Institutional sponsorship, and Market direction confirmation. IBD Leaderboard applies this systematic framework through advanced algorithms that scan thousands of stocks daily, combined with expert analysis to identify the top 10-15 stocks that meet all criteria and are approaching ideal buy points.
Is IBD Leaderboard suitable for beginners?
IBD Leaderboard can work for motivated beginners who are willing to learn, but it has a steeper learning curve than buy-and-hold services. The methodology requires understanding chart patterns, breakout points, and position sizing — concepts that may be unfamiliar to new investors. However, IBD includes free one-on-one coaching sessions (unusual in the industry) and educational resources to help you learn the system. Beginners should expect to spend several weeks studying the methodology before trading with significant capital. If you prefer a simpler approach while learning, consider starting with Stock Advisor ($199/year) for its straightforward buy-and-hold recommendations, then transition to Leaderboard once you’re comfortable with more active trading.