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Introducing getSymbols()

The getSymbols() function from the quantmod package provides a consistent interface to import data from various sources into your workspace. By default, getSymbols() imports the data as a xts object.

This exercise will introduce you to getSymbols(). You will use it to import QQQ data from Yahoo! Finance. QQQ is an exchange-traded fund that tracks the Nasdaq 100 index, and Yahoo! Finance is the default data source for getSymbols().

You use the Symbols argument to specify the instrument (i.e. the ticker symbol) you want to import. Since Symbols is the first argument to getSymbols(), you usually just type the instrument name and omit Symbols =.

This is a part of the course

“Importing and Managing Financial Data in R”

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Exercise instructions

  • Load the quantmod package using the library() function.
  • Now use getSymbols() to import QQQ data. Make sure the data gets assigned to QQQ (auto.assign = TRUE).
  • Use the str() function to view the structure of the QQQ object that getSymbols() created. Note the src and updated attributes.
  • Use the head() function to view the first few rows of QQQ.

Hands-on interactive exercise

Have a go at this exercise by completing this sample code.

# Load the quantmod package


# Import QQQ data from Yahoo! Finance


# Look at the structure of the object getSymbols created


# Look at the first few rows of QQQ
Edit and Run Code

This exercise is part of the course

Importing and Managing Financial Data in R

IntermediateSkill Level
3.7+
3 reviews

Learn how to access financial data from local files as well as from internet sources.

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A wealth of financial and economic data are available online. Learn how getSymbols() and Quandl() make it easy to access data from a variety of sources.

Exercise 1: Welcome to the course!Exercise 2: Introducing getSymbols()
Exercise 3: Data sourcesExercise 4: Make getSymbols() return the data it retrievesExercise 5: Finding data from internet sourcesExercise 6: Find stock ticker from Yahoo FinanceExercise 7: Download exchange rate data from Oanda

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