Weiss Ratings Review (2026): Respected Ratings, Aggressive Newsletters

Weiss Ratings in One Minute

Weiss Ratings says it has been in business since 1971, when Dr. Martin Weiss launched the company. It's known for independent safety ratings of banks and insurers, and now rates stocks, ETFs and cryptocurrencies. It also publishes free daily emails (Weiss Ratings Daily, Weiss Crypto Daily) and paid newsletters from editors such as Sean Brodrick and Nilus Mattive.

What Weiss Rates

Weiss Ratings covers more than 65,500 stocks, funds, cryptocurrencies, banks and insurance companies, per its site. Its bank and credit union ratings and insurance company ratings are its oldest products and are widely used to check financial strength. It also publishes stock, ETF, mutual fund and crypto ratings, with a free tier and paid upgrades.

The 2006 SEC Order

In June 2006 the SEC entered a settled order against Weiss Research, Martin Weiss and an editor. The SEC found that Weiss Research acted as an unregistered investment adviser through an auto-trading service (accounts held over $30 million at the end of 2003) and that its ads overstated profits by highlighting winners and omitting losers. Weiss Research paid about $1.64 million in disgorgement and interest plus a $350,000 penalty; Martin Weiss paid a $100,000 penalty. They neither admitted nor denied the findings.

Firm disgorgement and interest$1,641,141

Firm penalty$350,000

Martin Weiss penalty$100,000

Ratings vs Newsletters

Weiss's safety ratings for banks and insurers are widely cited. Its newsletters are a separate business that uses promotional marketing like other publishers. Judge them separately.

Who Is Martin Weiss?

Martin Weiss founded the company in 1971 and became known for warning about weak banks and insurers. His newsletters, such as the long-running Safe Money Report, are known for bold forecasts about crashes and new market trends. The forecasts are marketing for paid services; the ratings are the more useful, data-driven part.

Before You Subscribe

1. Check the first-year and renewal price.
2. Note the refund deadline.
3. Track every recommendation, not just winners.
4. Keep each position small.
5. Decline upsells until the service proves useful.

Who Weiss Suits

Investors who value a safety-first viewpoint and independent ratings. Be selective with the paid trading services. See are investing newsletters worth it?

A Steadier Way to Protect Savings

Weiss has long emphasized safety and capital preservation, a concern many retirees share. Our top pick, Augusta Precious Metals, offers a free guide to the sales tactics retirement savers should watch for; our budget pick Noble Gold offers a free economic-crisis guide. Precious metals carry their own risks and costs.

Is Weiss Ratings Legit?

Yes. It's a long-established ratings firm. Its newsletter arm settled an SEC order in 2006 over unregistered auto-trading and misleading ads, so read promotions carefully. See the SEC's newsletter alert.

Pros and Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Verdict on Weiss Ratings

Respected ratings, typical newsletter marketing. Use the ratings; be choosy with subscriptions.

Precious metals prices can fall as well as rise, and a gold IRA carries setup, custody and storage fees. This page is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Consider speaking with a licensed financial professional before moving retirement savings.