How to Download Historical Stock Price Data from Yahoo Finance and Google Finance

Historical stock price data is crucial for financial analysis, research, and investment decision-making. This guide will walk you through the process of downloading historical stock price data from Yahoo Finance and Google Finance.

Downloading Historical Stock Price Data from Yahoo Finance

Step 1: Visit Yahoo Finance

Start by going to the Yahoo Finance website:https://yahoo

Step 2: Search for the Stock

Use the search bar to find the stock you are interested in. For example, if you want to download data for Apple Inc., type AAPL.

Step 3: Navigate to Historical Data

Once you find the stock, click on the Historical Data or Price History tab. From there, you can view and customize the data range.

Step 4: Select Time Period

Choose the time period for which you want the data. Options such as monthly, weekly, or daily can typically be selected based on your needs.

Step 5: Download the Data

Click on the Download button, usually located just above the data table. This will download the data as a CSV file. This is a free service provided by Yahoo Finance, making it particularly user-friendly.

Using Google Finance for Historical Data

As of my last update, Google Finance does not offer a direct download feature for historical stock data similar to Yahoo Finance. However, you can use Google Sheets to access and download this data.

Step 1: Open Google Sheets

Go to Google Sheets and open a new or existing spreadsheet.

Step 2: Use the GOOGLEFINANCE Function

In a cell, use the GOOGLEFINANCE function to get historical data. The syntax is as follows:

GOOGLEFINANCE(ticker, price, start_date, end_date)

Step 3: Example for Apple Inc.

To get the historical closing prices for Apple Inc. from January 1, 2022, to January 1, 2023, you can use the following formula:

GOOGLEFINANCE(AAPL, Close, 1/1/2022, 1/1/2023)

Step 4: Adjust the Parameters

You can change the TICKER, start_date, and end_date attributes as needed to customize the data to your specific requirements.

Step 5: Extract and Save the Data

Once you have the data in Google Sheets, you can download it as a CSV or Excel file by going to File Download Spreadsheet (.csv) or Spreadsheet (.xlsx).

Summary

Yahoo Finance provides a straightforward way to download historical stock price data directly as a CSV file, making it an excellent choice for users who need simple, easy-to-use solutions. Google Finance, though lacking a direct download feature, offers extensive data through Google Sheets, allowing for flexibility in data manipulation and analysis.

Additional Resources

If you need further assistance with specific steps or data analysis, feel free to ask! Additionally, EODHistoricalData is recommended for its comprehensive and reliable nature, offering a dedicated API and subscription plans for accessing high-quality data for various financial instruments.