As an Australian investor, understanding how to use Google Finance can be an invaluable tool for making informed investment decisions. Google Finance provides real-time market data, news, and analysis that can help you stay up-to-date on your investments. In this guide, we’ll go through the steps for using Google Finance to help you make smarter investment decisions.
Step 1: Navigate to Google Finance
The first step is to navigate to Google Finance. You can do this by typing “Google Finance” into your web browser or by clicking on the link: https://www.google.com/finance. Once you are on the Google Finance homepage, you’ll see a search bar at the top of the page.
Step 2: Search for a stock or company
To find information about a specific stock or company, type the stock ticker symbol or company name into the search bar. For example, if you want to find information about the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, you can type “CBA” or “Commonwealth Bank of Australia” into the search bar.
Step 3: Review the stock’s performance
Once you have searched for a stock or company, you will be taken to the stock’s overview page. Here, you can review the stock’s performance over different periods, including the current day, week, month, and year. You can also view the stock’s price history over the past several years. This information can be useful in determining the stock’s overall performance and identifying trends.
Step 4: Analyse the company’s financials
To get a deeper understanding of a company’s financials, click on the “Financials” tab. Here, you can review the company’s income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. You can also view key financial ratios, such as the price-to-earnings ratio (P/E ratio), which can help you determine if the company is overvalued or undervalued.
Step 5: Stay up-to-date on news and events
To stay up-to-date on news and events related to a specific stock or company, click on the “News” tab. Here, you can review recent news articles and press releases related to the stock or company. You can also set up alerts to receive notifications when there is significant news related to the stock.
Step 6: Create a portfolio
One of the most useful features of Google Finance is the ability to create a portfolio. To create a portfolio, click on the “Portfolios” tab and then click “Create portfolio.” From there, you can add stocks to your portfolio and track their performance over time.
In conclusion, Google Finance is a powerful tool for Australian investors who want to make informed investment decisions. By following these steps, you can use Google Finance to analyse stocks, review financials, stay up-to-date on news and events, and create a portfolio. With this information at your fingertips, you can make smarter investment decisions and achieve your financial goals.