Google Finance and BATS: A Look at Historical Data

BATS Global Markets, now known as Cboe Global Markets (CBOE), was a significant player in the financial markets, particularly regarding exchange-traded securities. Google Finance, before its redesign, offered data related to BATS, enabling users to track stock prices and performance on that exchange. While the direct integration with BATS as a distinct entity has faded with Cboe’s acquisition, understanding its past presence on Google Finance offers insights into how market data was and is disseminated.

Historically, Google Finance provided users with access to intraday and historical stock data sourced from various exchanges, including BATS. This was valuable for traders and investors because BATS, before the acquisition, aimed to provide faster and cheaper trading than traditional exchanges like the NYSE and Nasdaq. The competitive nature of BATS meant that its trading activity could significantly influence overall market prices, making its data crucial for informed decision-making.

The types of information available on Google Finance related to BATS included:

• Real-time stock quotes: Reflecting the price of a security as traded on the BATS exchange.
• Historical data: Allowing users to analyze past price movements and trends of stocks traded on BATS. This historical data was essential for technical analysis and backtesting trading strategies.
• Trading volume: Showing the number of shares traded on BATS, providing insight into market activity and liquidity for specific stocks.
• Market capitalization: Displaying the total value of a company’s outstanding shares, as traded on BATS.

One key advantage of having BATS data on Google Finance was the ease of access. Users could quickly search for a stock and see its performance across different exchanges, including BATS, all within a single platform. This simplified the process of comparing prices and identifying potential arbitrage opportunities (though complex software and specialized feeds are generally required for actual arbitrage). Google Finance’s user-friendly interface made this data accessible to both novice and experienced investors.

With Cboe’s acquisition of BATS, the explicit distinction of “BATS” as a separate exchange source on Google Finance has largely disappeared. However, the underlying data provided by Cboe (formerly BATS) still contributes to the overall market information displayed on Google Finance. Modern Google Finance aggregates data from various sources, including Cboe, to provide a comprehensive view of stock performance.

While the direct “BATS” branding might be less prominent now, its impact on market structure and data availability remains. BATS’ earlier role in lowering trading costs and improving speed helped shape the modern landscape of electronic trading, and its data continues to inform investors through platforms like Google Finance, albeit under the umbrella of Cboe Global Markets.