Review of Google Finance

Google has made a foray into the world of financial information. Google Finance (beta), launched a year ago, is the latest next big thing from the Internet giant, whose shares closed in on the $675 mark last week. At first glance, the site appears fairly simplistic, much similar to the Google home page. However, as you begin to try it out, you'll find the service is rich in features, deploying Google's repertoire of technologies to track Wall Street bustle.

It is fresh, fluid, and fairly easy to use. It is the perfect tool for the at-home investor, with several key features that make keeping up-to-date with your investments a cinch.

Key Features

• Home Page - The main page has an updated summary of the North American markets, with recent quotes and related news, charts of the major indexes, information on bonds, big movers and shakers, and key financial news of the day. There is also a sector summary which shows how key industries are performing, along with currency conversion and a video section. All of this is easy to read, free of the clutter found on other finance websites, and automatically updated.
• Search - Coming from Google, you know it had to be something special - and it is. With the help of AJAX technology, the search feature on Google Finance allows you to quickly find what your looking for, with search results displayed as you type. No need to fuddle around with symbols - a search of a company name brings up a list of results with similar spellings and symbols, for quick and easy access. Can't find what your looking for? Entering a search brings back results similar to a Google search, with suggestions for typos, and similar company links.
  
• Up-to-date info - Upon landing on a stock's page, you'll find all the information you need, in an easy to read format. The share price of the specific stock is in large and bold, with key stats clearly displayed. All of this is automatically updated. The share price and change is also displayed in the taskbar, which allows you to see the price even if the window is minimized.
  
• Advanced Charts - With the help of Adobe Flash, Google has provided the best chart on the web. Users can fluidly zoom in and out of the chart being viewed by using the scroll of their mouse, adjusting the timeline along the bottom to show a customized range, or by clicking on key intervals. Added to this are news flags, which provide insight into why the stock moved the way it did, a comparison tool, for quick comparing between stocks and indexes, dividend markers, and access to historical prices.
  
• Wealth of information - To the left hand side you'll find information on related companies, key financials and stats, along with access to other resources. Along the right hand side are links blog posts, moderated discussions, a company overview, upcoming company events (that can be added to your Google Calendar) and a management summary with pop-up bios.
• Portfolio - Easily track your investments by signing up to access the free portfolio feature. You can add and remove your stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, set quantities, initial cost, and track performance overall, with daily and cumulative losses/gains tabulated. Logging in displays your portfolio on the front page.
• Integrated with Google Accounts - You can access your portfolio as easily as you can change between Gmail and Calendar. Charts can also be displayed on your customized home page.
  

Overall, Finance (beta) is a simple, yet powerful tool. It combines Google's plethora of resources to deliver an easy-to-follow interactive application, with updated detailed information on your investments.

Learn more. Give it a spin.