Stock Investment Tracking using Google Sheets

In today's dynamic financial landscape, staying on top of stock market trends is crucial for investors. One way to streamline this process is by utilizing the powerful combination of Google Sheets and Google Finance functions. In this article, we will explore how to use these tools to create customized watchlists and portfolio trackers. Additionally, we'll provide links to free templates created by other investors to jumpstart your stock tracking journey.

How do I track stocks in Google Sheets?

The backbone of stock tracking in Google Sheets lies in the GOOGLEFINANCE function. This super useful function enables users to pull data not only on stock prices but also on various fundamental and metadata aspects. If you understand how to use this function well, you can build powerful and customized stock trackers to fit your needs.

Let's delve deeper into the GOOGLEFINANCE function by exploring more examples related to stock prices, fundamental information like Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio, dividend details, and other key financial metrics.

1. Stock Price

The most basic use of the GOOGLEFINANCE function is to fetch the current stock price. For example:

=GOOGLEFINANCE("AAPL", "price")

This formula provides the current market price of Apple Inc. stock.

2. Historical Stock Prices

Retrieve historical stock prices within a specified date range:

=GOOGLEFINANCE("AAPL", "close", DATE(2022,1,1), DATE(2022,12,31), "DAILY")

This formula fetches the daily closing prices of Apple stock for the year 2022.

3. Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio

Get the P/E ratio, a fundamental valuation metric:

=GOOGLEFINANCE("AAPL", "pe")

This formula provides the current Price-to-Earnings ratio for Apple stock.

4. Earning per share

Retrieve earning per share of a stock:

=GOOGLEFINANCE("AAPL", "eps")

This formula displays the latest annual eps for Apple stock.

5. Market Capitalization

Obtain the market capitalization of a company:

=GOOGLEFINANCE("AAPL", "marketcap")

This formula shows the current market capitalization of Apple Inc.

6. Trading Volume

Analyze the trading volume of a stock:

=GOOGLEFINANCE("AAPL", "volume")

This formula provides the current trading volume for Apple stock.

7. Beta Coefficient

Calculate the beta coefficient, a measure of a stock's volatility:

=GOOGLEFINANCE("AAPL", "beta")

This formula displays the beta coefficient for Apple stock.

8. 52-Week High/Low

Retrieve the 52-week high and low prices:

=GOOGLEFINANCE("AAPL", "high52")
=GOOGLEFINANCE("AAPL", "low52")

This formula displays the 52-week high and low price of Apple stock.

By leveraging these functions, you can build your own watchlist and/or portfolio tracker to display almost any information you would like to see. If you want to read more on the functionality of GOOGLEFINANCE, you can visit here

How to effectively use GOOGLEFINANCE function for stock tracking?

As seen above, GOOGLEFINANCE can be quite powerful. Here are some quick tips on how to fully utilize it.

1. Dynamic Date Ranges: Utilize dynamic date ranges or cell references for start and end dates to easily update and analyze different time periods.

2. Combine Functions: Combine GOOGLEFINANCE with other spreadsheet functions to perform more complex calculations or create dynamic dashboards.

3. Multiple Tickers: Extend your analysis by using the function with multiple tickers to compare stocks or create a portfolio tracker.

4. Automation: Leverage Google Sheets' automatic refresh feature to keep your financial data up-to-date without manual intervention.

How do I create a stock spreadsheet in Google Sheets?

Armed with the GOOGLEFINANCE function discussed above, you can build a robust stock spreadsheet for personalized tracking. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a watchlist:

1. Open Google Sheets: Navigate to Google Sheets and open a new or existing spreadsheet.

2. Enter Stock Symbols: In a column, enter the stock symbols of the companies you want to track.

3. Utilize GOOGLEFINANCE: In adjacent columns, use the GOOGLEFINANCE function to pull relevant data. For example, =GOOGLEFINANCE("AAPL", "price") fetches the current price of Apple stock.

4. Customize Your Spreadsheet: Add additional columns for metrics like market cap, P/E ratio, and dividend yield. Format the sheet to suit your preferences.

By following these steps, you can create a tailored watchlist that aligns with your investment strategy.

Does Google have a stock tracker?

Yes, given that Google provides a useful GOOGLEFINANCE function, it’s no surprise that it also offers the stock tracker functionality directly. Google provides a stock tracker through the Google Finance website with a couple of functionalities, including a Watchlist and Portfolio tracker. You can begin by visiting Google Finance. Click on the hamburger icon on the left to access both the watchlist and portfolio tracking functionality. It's worth noting that Google's portfolio tracker offers a snapshot of your current holdings only. If you are interested in historical performance tracking and other in-depth analytics, consider using online portfolio trackers like Portseido. You can also see how Portseido is different from Google Finance here.

Is there a free stock tracker in Google Sheets?

Absolutely! Google does not provide a free stock tracker in Google Sheets, but many fellow investors have developed and shared free stock tracking tools utilizing Google Sheets. Here are links to the free stock trackers that we think might be valueable to you:

• Old School Value Stock Tracking Spreadsheet by Old School Value
• General Trading Stock Portfolio Template by SpreadsheetClass.com
• Stock Dashboard by Brian Turgeon

Feel free to explore these resources and choose the one that best fits your needs. Happy investing!