Volume Average Six Months Formula in Excel

The Volume Average Six Months formula in Excel (with MarketXLS) helps you quickly retrieve the average trading volume of a specified stock or security over a rolling six-month period. By using this function, you can streamline your volume analysis process directly in Excel, enabling faster decision-making and more informed insights into market trends.

Understanding Volume Average Six Months

• Purpose: The VolumeAverageSixMonths function pulls historical volume data from the MarketXLS database and calculates the average trading volume over the last six months (approximately 181 days from the current date).
• Key Benefits:
  • Provides a quick snapshot of historical volume trends.
  • Helps investors and analysts gauge market liquidity.
  • Integrates seamlessly with your Excel workflows using MarketXLS.
• When to Use:
  • To compare recent trading activity against historical averages.
  • As part of a broader financial model or technical analysis.

Syntax and Parameters

=VolumeAverageSixMonths(Symbol)

• Return Value:
  • Returns a numeric value representing the six-month average volume.
  • Returns "NA" if data is not available, if the symbol is invalid, or if there is a licensing issue.

?? Note: This function does not require date inputs because it automatically calculates the average from today minus 181 days up to yesterday.

Examples and Usage

Here are some practical ways to use the VolumeAverageSixMonths formula in your Excel sheets.

1. Basic Usage with a Stock Symbol

   =VolumeAverageSixMonths("MSFT")

   Retrieves the six-month average trading volume for Microsoft.

2. Referencing a Cell
   Suppose cell A2 contains the symbol MSFT:

   =VolumeAverageSixMonths(A2)

   This setup is useful for switching symbols without changing the formula itself.

3. Indices

   =VolumeAverageSixMonths("^SPX")

   Gets the six-month average volume for the S&P 500 index.

4. Options

   =VolumeAverageSixMonths("@MSFT 110122C00020000")

   Calculates the six-month volume average for an options contract.

5. Crypto

   =VolumeAverageSixMonths("BTCUSD:DEFAULT")

   Retrieves the six-month average volume for Bitcoin (BTCUSD).

? Pro Tip: Pair VolumeAverageSixMonths with other MarketXLS functions (like dividend or return formulas) to build a comprehensive trading or investment dashboard right in Excel.

Common Questions

1. Why do I get "NA" as a result?

   • Ensure the symbol is valid and spelled correctly.
   • Check your internet connection and MarketXLS licensing status.
   • Verify that the security has historical volume data for the last six months.

2. Can I specify custom date ranges?

   • This function automatically calculates the range (last 181 days). For a custom date range, use a different MarketXLS function that supports date parameters.

3. How frequently is the data updated?

   • Data is typically updated daily around market close. However, consult your MarketXLS documentation for specific data refresh intervals.

4. Are there any performance considerations?

   • Direct calls to retrieve data from MarketXLS can be data-intensive. For worksheets with many symbols, consider caching or updating less frequently to optimize performance.

?? Note: Always ensure you have the most recent version of MarketXLS for accurate data retrieval and function performance.