Retrieve the Most Recent Earnings Estimate Date from 3 Weeks Ago

The EarningsEstimates_dateMostRecentEstimate_weeks3Ago function in MarketXLS lets you easily display the date of the most recent earnings estimate from three weeks prior. This is especially useful for comparing changes in analyst sentiment over time, quickly identifying momentum stock opportunities, and ensuring that your investment decisions are based on the latest market data. By returning either a valid date string or a status indicator (e.g., “NA” if no data is available, “Refreshing” during data updates), it helps you maintain a clear, real-time picture of earning estimates while streamlining your Excel-based workflow.

Why Use This Function?

• Monitor Shifts in Analyst Estimates: Determine how analyst estimates might have changed over recent weeks, essential for momentum or swing trading strategies.
• Quick Validation of Market Sentiment: Spot whether new estimates appear earlier or later than expected, flagging potential trading signals.
• Eliminate Manual Searches: Automatically pulls data from MarketXLS APIs, saving time versus public websites or manual data entry.
• Seamless Excel Integration: Works within your existing Excel environment, so no external coding is required. Simply enter the function as you would any other formula.
• Data Caching & Refresh Handling: The function may return “Refreshing” if data is currently being updated, ensuring stability and prompt feedback in fast-moving markets.

How to Use in Excel

=EarningsEstimates_dateMostRecentEstimate_weeks3Ago("Symbol")

1. In an empty Excel cell, type “=EarningsEstimates_dateMostRecentEstimate_weeks3Ago(”
2. Inside the parentheses, provide a valid US stock ticker symbol as a text string (e.g. “MSFT”).
3. Press Enter to retrieve the date of the most recent earnings estimate as of three weeks ago.
4. The function will return a date string (e.g., "2023-09-25"). If data is not available or if the symbol is invalid, it returns “NA.”

Parameters Explained

Example Usage

Basic Examples

1. =EarningsEstimates_dateMostRecentEstimate_weeks3Ago("AAPL")
   • Returns the date of Apple’s most recent earnings estimate from three weeks prior.
   • The function will display “NA” if Apple’s data is unavailable or if the symbol is invalid.

2. =EarningsEstimates_dateMostRecentEstimate_weeks3Ago("MSFT")
   • Shown in a cell (e.g., D2), retrieves the date string (like “2023-08-30”) reflecting Microsoft’s earnings estimate from three weeks ago.
   • Ideal for monitoring changes ahead of quarterly results.

3. =EarningsEstimates_dateMostRecentEstimate_weeks3Ago("INVALID")
   • Returns “NA,” indicating no data is found for that symbol or the symbol format is incorrect.

Advanced Scenarios

1. Portfolio Watchlist:

   • If you have a watchlist of tickers in cells A2:A10, you could quickly fill down the function in adjacent cells, retrieving each symbol’s date for the earnings estimate from three weeks ago.
   • This approach helps you analyze multiple stocks at once and spot shifting market sentiment.

2. Integration with Conditional Formatting:

   • Apply conditional formatting to highlight function results in red if the estimate date is older than a certain threshold or in green if it shows recent activity.
   • Helps rapidly identify potential trades that need closer attention.

3. Combining with Other Excel Functions:

   • Nest this function within IF statements or combine with other MarketXLS functions (e.g., for real-time price checks).
   • Example: “=IF(EarningsEstimates_dateMostRecentEstimate_weeks3Ago("AMZN")="NA", "No Data", "Available")”

4. Trading Strategy Timelines:

   • Track patterns in how estimates from three weeks ago compare to the latest earnings dates or upcoming announcement schedules.
   • Useful in calendar-based trading strategies or smoothing out the effects of short-term volatility.

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

• Why do I get “NA” instead of a date?
  This error occurs when an invalid symbol is entered, if there is no available data for that ticker, or if your MarketXLS license status needs verification.
• What does “Refreshing” mean?
  When MarketXLS is actively refreshing data in the background, the function may display “Refreshing” to prevent partial or incomplete data from being returned. Once data is updated, the formula will show the correct date string.
• Can I use this for non-US stocks?
  The code primarily checks US symbols. Other markets may work if supported by your data plan, but if there is no data source, the function will return “NA.”
• How often is the data updated?
  Data caching settings can delay updates to reduce server calls. You can manage refresh intervals in your MarketXLS settings or force an immediate refresh if needed.

By leveraging the EarningsEstimates_dateMostRecentEstimate_weeks3Ago function in Excel with MarketXLS, you’ll gain powerful insights into US market earnings trends from three weeks prior—helping you efficiently monitor changing market sentiment, speed up your research, and streamline your strategy analysis.