What is share price history?
Share price history is a compilation of the past prices of a security. It shows how the price has moved over days, months or years and is used to identify patterns, trends and volatility.
By analysing the share price history, investors can get a better picture of how a share has reacted to market conditions, news and economic events. Share price history is therefore an important tool in both technical and fundamental analysis.
For listed companies, share price history is collected continuously via trading venues. For unlisted companies there is often no continuous share price history, and the price development is instead based on individual transactions or valuations.
How share price history is used
Here are some common characteristics that make it easier to understand how share price history is used:
- Shows historical price development
- Used in analysis and assessments
- Helps identify trends and patterns
- Gives indications of volatility
- Often unavailable for unlisted companies
These factors help you interpret historical data and understand the limitations when you analyse a share's performance.
When analysing share price history
Worth bearing in mind
When you analyse share price history, it is important not to focus solely on price levels, but also on trends and patterns. Rises and falls can give insight into how the company has reacted to market changes, news and external events.
It is also wise to compare the share price history with relevant indices or similar companies. That makes it easier to judge whether the performance is due to company-specific factors or broader market movements. For unlisted shares, the analysis often needs to be based on previous transactions, valuations and the company's long-term development.
Frequently asked questions
What can I learn from the share price history?
You can see trends, volatility and how the share has reacted to news or market changes.
Are historical returns a guarantee for the future?
No. Share price history only describes what has happened and cannot predict future performance.
Where can I find share price history for listed companies?
At banks, trading platforms, stock exchanges and financial news services.
What do I do if the company is unlisted?
Then you have to start from previous transactions, share issues or valuations, as there is no continuous price data.
Can share price history be used for technical analysis?
Yes. It is a fundamental component of technical analysis, in which patterns and price movements are studied.