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An overview of the Portfolio Model About Formulas About Functions Quick Fx Guide - detailed info about required functions How and where to go download investment data

 

Sac State Homepage | College of Business   
Getting Data for the Client Model 

The first thing you must do is get the historical data off the web. At this point, Microsoft offers the only efficient way to download information directly into an Excel spreadsheet. Microsoft makes the download option somewhat hidden and complex. They also constantly change the download procedure. Here are steps to obtain the necessary information (you may need to experiment to find any changed downloading procedures):
 

Note: The Procedure is different for those using
Windows XP and/or MS Internet Explorer 6.0
(Click the appropriate Button below)

      
 

Normal Data Collection
Note: If MSNMoney requires a  .Net Passport Registration, Click Here.

1.

Go to website:      http://www.moneycentral.msn.com
2. Click on: INVESTING tab, then Stocks
3.
 Click and follow directions: "Upgrade MSN Money Software"
NOTE: As MSN states, it might take 2-3 minutes for the software to load.
4. Click on: CHARTS on the Left Side 
5.
 Enter the first company name or Ticker (For instance: GE or General Electric) and Click Go
6. Click on: PERIOD on the new menu bar. 
Select: Custom
NOTE:  The menu bar lists "File", "Chart", "Period," etc. options located within the web page 
7. Change the settings to reflect 2 years and monthly returns.
8. Click: File and then Export Data
9. In the new Excel Spreadsheet:

a) Delete all columns except Date and  CLOSE
b) Rename  "Close" to the company's ticker (ie) GE
c) Repeat for each company/ticker.
   NOTE: For now on, delete ALL columns except CLOSE
d) Place each company's data next to the first one.
e) Right-Click the tab (Labeled Sheet 1)
    and select Rename  name it Raw Data
10. Click Save As. Name the file whatever you like. 

Note: Save as type: *.xls 
 

 

 

 

Windows XP/MSIE 6.0  Data Collection

1.

Go to website:      http://www.moneycentral.msn.com
2. Click on: INVESTING tab, then Stocks
3.
 Click and follow directions: "Upgrade MSN Money Software"
NOTE: As MSN states, it might take 2-3 minutes for the software to load.
4. Click on: CHARTS on the Left Side 
5.
 Enter the first company name or Ticker (For instance: GE or General Electric) and Click Go
6. Click on: PERIOD on the new menu bar. 
Select: Custom
NOTE:  The menu bar lists "File", "Chart", "Period," etc. options located within the web page 
7. Change the settings to reflect 2 years and monthly returns.
8. Click: File and then Export Data
9. In the new Excel Spreadsheet:

a) Delete all columns except Date and  CLOSE
b) Rename  "Close" to the company's ticker (ie) GE
c) Repeat for each company/ticker.
   NOTE: For now on, delete ALL columns except CLOSE
d) Place each company's data next to the first one.
e) Right-Click the tab (Labeled Sheet 1)
    and select Rename  name it Raw Data
10. Click Save As. Name the file whatever you like. 

Note: Save as type: *.xls