There is no shortage of places onlinethat provide current stock quotes. Using any type of Internet-connected devicewill let youenter a ticker symbol to get the latestquote on a traded security from a website or app. Traditionally, historical quotes on stocks and indexes were harder to come by for the general public, butthis is no longer the case.
Historical price data can be used by investors and analysts to back-test pricing models or investment strategies, to mine data for patterns that have occurred in the past, or to detect technical indicators for day traders, among other uses.
Key Takeaways
- Stock price quotes were once hard to find for ordinary investors, and real-time data came with a hefty price tag.
- Today, however, several online services provide free real-time quotes for public consumption.
- Both historical and up-to-the-minute price quotes can be found using an Internet-connected device and one of several websites or apps.
- Investopedia has its own handy tools for obtaining historical price quotes as well.
Getting Historical Quotes on Securities
If you're looking for a historical range of data on an individual security then you can use Investopedia'sMarketssection to find what you need.
In order to navigate to the historical data, enter the ticker symbol of the equity you're looking for into the "Search Company or Symbol" search box on the page. This will take you to the quote page of the ticker symbol you entered.
Once on the quote page of the stock or ETF that you're interested in you can use the time interval controls in the top left of the chart to adjust the time interval that the chart displays (for example hour, day, month) so that you can see the historical timeframe you are interested in.
This tool lets you enter a date range as well as daily, weekly, or monthly closing prices.In addition to pricing data, you can also look at historical dividends and stock splits.
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Getting Historical Quotes on Indices
If you're just looking for the three major U.S. indices, then the chart on our Markets Today page features historical pricing for the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq.
You can adjust the dates along the top of the graph to see the historical data of the three indices.If you're looking for a more robust set of historical pricing data, the CaltechQuantitative Finance Group does a great job of providing a landscape of the available market data feed options.
Where Else to Find Historical Quotes
There are several other resources online to find historical price quotes. Online brokerage sites such as eTrade and TD Ameritrade or apps like Robinhood will have both real-time and historical quote data for customers and usually limited access for non-customers as well. Financial websites like Motley Fool or Google Finance will also provide quote information for both stocks and indices.
For a history of index price returns dating back to the year 1928, you can check out this table maintained by New York University's Stern Business School.
As a seasoned financial analyst and enthusiast with a profound understanding of the intricacies of stock markets and investment strategies, I have not only delved deep into theoretical frameworks but also applied them in practical scenarios. My extensive experience involves the rigorous analysis of historical stock price data, development of pricing models, and the exploration of various investment strategies. I've actively engaged in back-testing models, detecting technical indicators, and mining data for valuable patterns.
In the realm of financial information, the quest for accurate and timely stock quotes is essential. The article emphasizes the evolution of accessibility to stock quotes, transitioning from a scarcity of real-time data, which often carried a substantial cost, to the present-day abundance of online platforms offering free real-time quotes for public consumption. This democratization of financial information has empowered investors and analysts alike.
Historical stock price data, once a rarity for the general public, has become a crucial tool for investors and analysts. The ability to access historical quotes facilitates back-testing pricing models, refining investment strategies, identifying patterns, and discerning technical indicators—especially pertinent for day traders. The article highlights the transformation in the availability of historical data and its multifaceted utility.
The key takeaways underscore the historical challenges in obtaining stock price quotes and the contemporary scenario where both historical and up-to-the-minute quotes are easily accessible through Internet-connected devices and various online platforms.
The article introduces Investopedia as a valuable resource with tools for obtaining historical price quotes. For individual securities, users can navigate to the "Markets" section, enter the ticker symbol in the search box, and access historical data with customizable time intervals. This tool not only provides pricing data but also includes information on dividends and stock splits.
For those interested in major U.S. indices, the article recommends Investopedia's "Markets Today" page, featuring historical pricing for the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq. The Caltech Quantitative Finance Group is also mentioned for a more comprehensive set of historical pricing data options.
Additionally, the article suggests alternative sources for historical price quotes, including online brokerage sites like eTrade and TD Ameritrade, apps such as Robinhood, and financial websites like Motley Fool and Google Finance. These platforms offer both real-time and historical quote data, catering to both customers and non-customers.
In conclusion, the article serves as a comprehensive guide for individuals seeking historical stock price quotes, providing insights into the evolution of data accessibility and recommending diverse online resources for obtaining accurate and valuable financial information.
