Float Shares Formula in Excel

The Float Shares formula in Excel with MarketXLS helps you quickly retrieve the number of shares available for trading for a particular stock. By using this function, you can enhance your investment analysis, monitor stocks’ liquidity, and make more informed decisions. Learn how to leverage this function for portfolio analysis and stay ahead in the market.

Understanding Float Shares

• Purpose and Use Cases: The FloatShares function is designed to return the number of shares of a company available for public trading. This metric is essential when evaluating a stock’s liquidity and overall market dynamics.
• Key Benefits:
  • Simplifies research by pulling float data directly into Excel.
  • Integrates seamlessly with MarketXLS for real-time or near-real-time updates.
  • Assists in comparing float sizes across different stocks or indices.
• When to Use: Use the Float Shares formula any time you need to evaluate a stock’s available shares in the public market—particularly useful when analyzing the impact of float on stock price volatility or preparing watchlists.

Syntax and Parameters

Below is the complete syntax for the FloatShares function in Excel:

=FloatShares(Symbol)

Return Value

• Returns the total number of shares available for trading (known as the float) for the specified symbol.
• If the symbol is invalid or a license issue occurs, the function returns NA.

Error Handling

• If an invalid symbol is provided, FloatShares returns NA.
• If your MarketXLS license is not valid, the function returns the license error message.

Special Cases and Performance

• Occasionally, float data may be delayed or unavailable for certain securities, resulting in an NA.
• This function is lightweight in terms of performance. However, frequently calling it for a large list of symbols may slightly impact Excel responsiveness.

Examples and Usage

Below are some commonly used scenarios for the FloatShares function:

1. Basic Usage

   =FloatShares("MSFT")

   Retrieves the float shares for Microsoft.

2. Indices

   =FloatShares("^SPX")

   Checks the float shares of the S&P 500 index. (Note: Indices may sometimes return NA if data is unavailable.)

3. Options

   =FloatShares("@MSFT 110122C00020000")

   Queries the float shares for a specific Microsoft option symbol.

4. Crypto

   =FloatShares("BTCUSD:DEFAULT")

   Attempts to fetch float data for the specified crypto pair (results may vary depending on data provider).

? Pro Tip: Combine FloatShares with other MarketXLS functions such as Sector or Industry for comprehensive market insights across your portfolio.

Common Questions

1. How do I fix the NA error?

   • Double-check the symbol formatting.
   • Ensure your MarketXLS license is active and valid.

2. Can I compare multiple symbols at once?

   • Yes, drag down or copy the formula across several cells for different symbols.
   • For better performance, use fewer real-time calls or schedule updates.

3. Are historical shares data available?

   • The FloatShares function pulls current data. Historical float data is not supported in this function.

?? Note: Avoid excessive calls to the function in a single worksheet to prevent performance slowdowns. Instead, schedule calculations periodically if working with numerous symbols.

• Related Functions:
  • Sector: Returns the sector of the entered symbol.
  • Industry: Retrieves the industry classification.
  • Market Capitalization: Evaluates a company’s total market value of shares outstanding.
  • Shares Owned: Shows the number of shares held by the promoters of the company.

Stay up-to-date with the latest MarketXLS features and consider pairing Float Shares with other analytics functions to create a robust, data-driven investment strategy.