ETF Inception Date

Returns the inception date (launch date) for an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). This is the date when the ETF first began trading on an exchange.

Supported Symbol Formats

Type Format Example
US ETFs SYMBOL SPY, QQQ, VTI
Bond ETFs SYMBOL BND, AGG
Sector ETFs SYMBOL XLF, XLK
International ETFs SYMBOL VEA, EFA

Notes

  • Returns date in YYYY-MM-DD format
  • Useful for understanding ETF track record length
  • Only works for ETFs, not individual stocks

Syntax

=ETFInceptionDate(Symbol)
Excel Desktop (Windows)

Examples

=ETFInceptionDate("SPY")
S&P 500 ETF inception date
=ETFInceptionDate("QQQ")
Nasdaq-100 ETF inception date
=ETFInceptionDate("VTI")
Vanguard Total Market ETF
=ETFInceptionDate("BND")
Bond ETF inception date
Symbol from cell reference

When to Use

  • Check how long an ETF has been trading
  • Verify ETF track record length
  • Compare ETF ages
  • Research ETF history

When NOT to Use

Scenario Use Instead
Stock IPO date IPODate()
ETF yield ETFYield()
Company founding date Company profile functions
Listing date Exchange listing functions

Common Issues & FAQ

Q: Why am I getting "NA" or an error? A: Ensure the symbol is an ETF, not an individual stock. This function only works with ETFs.

Q: What format is the date returned in? A: The date is returned as YYYY-MM-DD (e.g., 1993-01-22). You can format it using Excel date functions.

Q: Can I use this for mutual funds? A: No, this function is specifically for ETFs. Mutual fund inception dates require different data sources.

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MarketXLS Excel Add-in Tutorial - How to Use ETF Inception Date and Other Financial Formulas
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