Hello.
These are the ticker symbols for the stock indexes:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: ^dji
S&P 500: ^spx
NASDAQ: ^ixic
Simply go to Yahoo Historical Prices:
http://chart.yahoo.com/d
Enter the appropriate start/end dates and the index symbol (i.e.,
^dji, ^spx or ^ixic ).
For example:
http://table.finance.yahoo.com/m?a=2&b=15&c=2003&d=6&e=31&f=2003&g=d&s=%5Edji
From this data, figuring out the return is simply a matter of dividing
index value for the end date (i.e., the top number) by the index value
for the start date (i.e., the bottom number), and then subtracting 1.
For example, if the Dow was 9,233.80 on July 31 and 8,141.92 on March
15, you'd divide 9233.80 by 8141.92 and then subtract 1. If you don't
have a calculator handy, you could use Google's new calculator feature
by going to Google.com entering:
9233.80 divided by 8141.92 minus 1
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=9233.80+divided+by+8141.92+minus+1&btnG=Google+Search
Thus, you'll see a return of 0.13410596 (or 13.41% if you prefer) for
the 4 1/2 month period.
search strategy:
yahoo finance, historical prices
I hope this helps. |
Request for Answer Clarification by
lucylou-ga
on
13 Sep 2003 14:19 PDT
Sorry, but this is what I already do currently. I was thinking there
must be a web site that would do the calculation for you (given it's
such a simple calculation). I often have clients on the phone wanting
a quick answer and it takes time to look up the symbol I need, enter
the symbol and dates, scroll down and get the beginning and ending
index values, find my calculator and do the calculation. I was even
hoping there might be a site where you could click on the index you
wanted vs. having to remember the various ticker symbols (we follow
about 10 different stock indices).
|
Clarification of Answer by
juggler-ga
on
13 Sep 2003 14:36 PDT
Well, I wish that you had been a little clearer about your needs. You
didn't indicate that you already had a method for obtaining the
information.
If you're interested, I could provide you with instructions on how to
manipulate BigCharts.com into giving you the information.
http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com
Considering that you'd have to set a half-dozen or so chart parameters
to get the information, I doubt that it would be less work than using
a calculator. Nonetheless, if you have your heart set on obtaining an
online method, I will gladly provide you with instructions. Let me
know.
Regards,
juggler
|
Clarification of Answer by
juggler-ga
on
14 Sep 2003 00:56 PDT
You mention that it takes time to look up the symbol that you need.
Have you considered using your browser's bookmarking feature to
"bookmark" quotes for various indexes? You could add bookmarks for:
Dow Jones
http://table.finance.yahoo.com/m?a=2&b=15&c=2003&d=6&e=31&f=2003&g=d&s=%5Edji
S&P 500
http://table.finance.yahoo.com/d?a=2&b=15&c=2003&d=6&e=31&f=2003&g=d&s=%5Espx
NASDAQ
http://table.finance.yahoo.com/d?a=2&b=15&c=2003&d=6&e=31&f=2003&g=d&s=%5Eixic
You could then use the bookmark to immediately go to the historical
quote page for the particular index and simply alter the dates to meet
your needs.
You could also bookmark a Google calculator result such as:
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=9233.80+divided+by+8141.92+minus+1&btnG=Google+Search
When you need to do a calculation, you could do simply changes the
numbers and hit the "search" button.
The whole process could be completed in a matter of seconds.
Again, though, if you'd like to do something more sophisticated using
BigCharts.com, I'll be glad to provide instructions on how to set the
parameters to produce a chart that indicates the index return for a
given period.
Thanks.
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
lucylou-ga
on
14 Sep 2003 01:38 PDT
Thank you very much for the clarification and additional information.
I will try your last recommendation, using the bookmarks and Yahoo
historical quote page. That sounds like an easier solution than Big
Charts and very quick once I set it up! Thanks again for your help.
|
Clarification of Answer by
juggler-ga
on
14 Sep 2003 10:49 PDT
You're welcome. Let me know if you need any additional assistance.
Thanks.
-juggler
|
