86
1. Format cells
to negati ve
numbers.
2. Change a cell's fi ll
color.
S
tocks are the basic units of ownership in publicly traded companies. Getti ng
started in investi ng in stocks requires a lot of research and a fundamental
knowledge of how the stock market works. The Internet off ers a wealth of
informati on about investi ng, and local community schools frequently off er
inexpensive or free stock market investi ng courses and workshops. It's
tempti ng to jump right into the acti on, but because of the risk involved, an
investor really needs to do the homework. With sound decisions based on
knowledge and research, an investor's chance of success in the stock market is
greatly increased.
The following acti vity illustrates how spreadsheets can be used to determine
an investor's gains or losses from the purchase and sale of stocks.
37
1. Create a NEW spreadsheet.
Unless otherwise stated, the font should be 10 point Arial.
2. Type the data as shown.
3. Format the width of columns A and C to 26.0 and left align.
4. Format the width of column B to 8.0 and left align.
5. Format the width of columns D J to 12.0 and right align.
6. Format cells cells D4 D18 as numbers displaying 0 decimal places with a
comma separator.
7. Format cells E4 I20 as numbers displaying 2 decimal places with a comma
separator. Set the negati ve numbers to red and to display parentheses.
8. Format cells J4 J18 as percentages displaying 2 decimal places.
9. Bold rows 1, 2, and 20.
10. Underline row 2.
11. Compute the formulas for the fi rst stock as follows:
a. PURCHASE VALUE=NUMBER OF SHARES*PURCHASE PRICE > In cell F4, type
=D4*E4
b. SELLING VALUE=NUMBER OF SHARES*SELLING PRICE > In cell H4, type
=D4*G4
c. $ GAIN/LOSS=SELLING VALUE-PURCHASE VALUE > In cell I4, type
=H4-F4
d. % GAIN/LOSS=$ GAIN/LOSS / PURCHASE VALUE > In cell J4, type
I4/F4
12. Use the AutoFill feature to copy the formulas down for the remaining stocks.
Stocks
NEW SKILL
ACTIVITY
For Evaluation Purposes Only