Retrieve the Number of Earnings Estimates from Three Weeks Ago

The EarningsEstimates_numberofestimateshistory_weeks3Ago function (fn_00895) pulls the count of analyst earnings estimates for a specified stock from three weeks ago, directly within Excel. By simply passing your desired ticker symbol, you gain access to vital historical estimate data for your US market research. This helps traders and analysts track how estimate counts evolve over time, making it ideal for advanced analysis or verifying consensus trends.

Why Use This Function?

• Ideal for Historical Analysis: Quickly examine how analyst estimates have changed over the last few weeks.
• Saves Time: Automate data retrieval directly in Excel without navigating external websites or APIs.
• Supports Trading Strategies: Incorporate consistent estimate trends into swing trades, longer-term holds, or fundamental-based strategies.
• Seamless Integration: Combines effortlessly with other MarketXLS functions and Excel formulas.
• Data at Scale: Handle multiple tickers, each returning unique estimate counts based on the underlying JSON structure from the backend.

How to Use in Excel

=EarningsEstimates_numberofestimateshistory_weeks3Ago("Symbol")

1. Type the formula directly into a cell.
2. Replace "Symbol" with the valid ticker symbol for the company you are interested in (e.g., "AAPL" or "MSFT").
3. Press Enter, and MarketXLS retrieves the number of analyst estimates from three weeks prior.

MarketXLS checks the validity of your symbol and license behind the scenes. If the symbol or license is invalid, or if there’s an issue connecting to the data source, “NA” is returned instead of a numeric value.

Parameters Explained

Example Usage

Basic Examples

1. =EarningsEstimates_numberofestimateshistory_weeks3Ago("AAPL")

   • Returns the number of earnings estimates reported three weeks ago for Apple.
   • If the symbol is recognized and data is available, you’ll see a numeric result (for instance, 32). Otherwise, you get “NA”.

2. =EarningsEstimates_numberofestimateshistory_weeks3Ago("MSFT")

   • Displays the 3-weeks-ago estimate count for Microsoft.
   • Useful for verifying changes alongside today’s estimates.

3. =EarningsEstimates_numberofestimateshistory_weeks3Ago("INVALID")

   • Demonstrates the edge case: returns “NA” because the ticker symbol is not valid.

Advanced Scenarios

• Comparing Past and Present Estimates

• Use a second MarketXLS function (e.g., EarningsEstimates_numberofestimates("Symbol")) in another cell to compare the current number of estimates with the three-week-old data. This can reveal how analyst coverage is changing over short periods.

• Integrating with Other Excel Functions

• Combine with conditional formatting or VLOOKUP to quickly highlight stocks whose estimate counts have changed significantly.
• Example: =IF(EarningsEstimates_numberofestimateshistory_weeks3Ago("AMZN") < 40, "Fewer Estimates", "More Estimates")

• Expanded Dashboard for Multiple Symbols

• Anchor the function across a range of cells in Excel to see historical estimate counts for multiple tickers at once. Great for portfolio management or watchlist analysis.

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

• Why do I sometimes get “Refreshing”?

• This indicates MarketXLS is still gathering data. Another call is placed in the background waitlist. Once data is updated, re-calculate the sheet.

• Why does the function return “NA” instead of valid data?

• An invalid or unrecognized ticker symbol.
• A temporary license validation issue.
• A missing data entry for that company.

• Can I pass in references to a cell as the symbol parameter?

• Absolutely. Example: =EarningsEstimates_numberofestimateshistory_weeks3Ago(A2) if A2 contains a ticker symbol.

Remember:

• Always use valid US market tickers.
• If your license is expired or invalid, you will see an error message or “NA.”
• Refresh your workbook if data is initially unavailable.
• Pair with other MarketXLS functions for deeper insights into earnings trends.