Shares Outstanding Common Class Only (Historical) Formula in Excel

In this guide, we explore how to use the Shares Outstanding Common Class Only (Historical) formula in Excel with MarketXLS. This powerful Excel function, hf_Shares_Outstanding_Common_Class_Only, returns the historical count of a company's common shares outstanding. By integrating it into your spreadsheets, you can quickly retrieve up-to-date or historical share data for more informed financial analysis.

Understanding Shares Outstanding Common Class Only (Historical)

The Shares Outstanding Common Class Only (Historical) formula is designed to help you:

• Obtain the total number of common-class shares a company has outstanding for specific years or quarters.
• Analyze historical trends in a company's share structure.
• Make better investment decisions by factoring share dilution or share buybacks into your research.

When do you use it?

• Use this formula when you need historical share count details to calculate metrics such as market capitalization, earnings per share, or ownership dilution over time.

Syntax and Parameters

Below is the syntax for the hf_Shares_Outstanding_Common_Class_Only function:

=hf_Shares_Outstanding_Common_Class_Only(Symbol, Year, [Quarter], [TTM])

? Pro Tip: If you need to refer to dates in multiple ways, you can also manipulate the Year parameter similarly to these examples:

• Cell references: =hf_Shares_Outstanding_Common_Class_Only("MSFT", A1)
• Direct year: =hf_Shares_Outstanding_Common_Class_Only("MSFT", "2022")
• Excel date functions: =hf_Shares_Outstanding_Common_Class_Only("MSFT", TEXT(A1,"yyyy"))

Return Value

• The function returns a numeric value representing the total number of common-class shares outstanding for the specified period. If there is an issue (e.g., invalid symbol, license not valid, or data not available), it returns "NA".

Error Handling

• Invalid Symbol: Returns "NA".
• License Not Valid: Returns a message or "NA".
• Non-numeric Year: May result in "NA" or an unexpected output. Ensure your inputs are correct.

?? Note: This function can be affected by data latency for certain symbols or time periods. Always verify the data if your analysis depends on real-time calculations.

Examples and Usage

Below are some practical examples showcasing how to use hf_Shares_Outstanding_Common_Class_Only in Excel:

1. Retrieve shares outstanding for a specific year:

   =hf_Shares_Outstanding_Common_Class_Only("MSFT", 2022)

   Returns the total common-class shares outstanding for Microsoft in 2022.

2. Retrieve value for a year and quarter:

   =hf_Shares_Outstanding_Common_Class_Only("MSFT", 2022, 2)

   Returns the total shares outstanding for the second quarter of 2022.

3. Retrieve trailing 12-month value:

   =hf_Shares_Outstanding_Common_Class_Only("MSFT", 2022, 3, "TTM")

   Returns the trailing 12-month figure for Q3 of 2022.

4. Retrieve last quarter's value:

   =hf_Shares_Outstanding_Common_Class_Only("MSFT", "lq")

   Automatically pulls the most recent quarter’s value.

5. Retrieve last year's value offset by 1 year:

   =hf_Shares_Outstanding_Common_Class_Only("MSFT", "ly-1")

   Returns the shares outstanding for the previous year relative to last year.

? Pro Tip: Use relative inputs like "lq", "ly", or "lt" to simplify comparisons over time without manually updating the formula each quarter or year.

Common Questions

1. What if I need data for a past quarter or year more than one period ago?

Use the relative syntax: "lq-2" for last quarter minus two quarters, or "ly-3" for last year minus three years, etc.

2. How often is the data updated, and can it be stale?

Historical fundamentals are usually updated after companies file their reports. There can be a delay of several days to weeks depending on the filing schedules. For highly accurate data, verify with the company’s official financial statements.

3. Why am I getting “NA” for certain companies or periods?

Possible reasons include:

• Symbol not recognized (invalid ticker).
• Data not available for that specific period.
• Your MarketXLS license plan may not support certain international or specialized data.

4. Are there any performance considerations with large batches of these formulas?

Excessive usage with many tickers and time periods might slow down Excel recalculations. Consider using faster refresh strategies or caching intermediate results.

5. Can I use the formula for indices, options, or cryptocurrencies?

Yes. Use the appropriate symbol format (e.g., "^SPX" for the S&P 500, "@MSFT 110122C00020000" for an option, or "BTCUSD:DEFAULT" for crypto) and a valid year/quarter input.

?? Note: Data availability and accuracy may vary by security type and symbol.

Thank you for learning more about the Shares Outstanding Common Class Only (Historical) formula. By using this function correctly, you can strengthen your financial models with swift and accurate historical share counts.

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