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Why Historical Stock Float Data Is Difficult to Source

Article Quant Q&A · Author: Daniel Wu
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Summary

The document addresses the difficulty of finding historical float shares for US stocks. It notes that outstanding share counts may be available from company filings, but deriving float also requires knowing which shares are restricted or otherwise excluded. The answer says Bloomberg provides float information, while cautioning that the figures are imperfect.

The response describes a labor-intensive alternative: review company reports and identify insider holdings, recognizing that the definition of insider shares can vary. It suggests that other data vendors may offer comparable information, but gives no specific vendor list or procedure for validating records over time. Its main practical lesson is to treat historical float data as a difficult, definition-dependent dataset and to scrutinize free sources that claim to provide it. The answer does not present a tested dataset or quantify coverage and accuracy.

Key ideas

  • Historical float requires more than outstanding share counts because excluded holdings must also be identified.
  • Vendor float data may be imperfect and should be checked carefully.
  • Analysts may need to examine company reports to determine insider holdings.
  • The definition of insider shares can vary across sources.

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# Anywhere to find historical float shares (or restricted shares) of US stocks?


# Anywhere to find historical float shares (or restricted shares) of US stocks?












I'm trying to collect the historical stock float data, but can't find it nowhere. We can easily find historical quarterly shares outstanding data in sec edgar, and we know that floating stock = outstanding shares - restricted shares. However, I can't find historical restricted shares data either. Anyone know somewhere providing that?

Many thanks in advance!

## Answer by Chris (score 1)

https://quant.stackexchange.com/a/47258

Bloomberg has float information, but it's imperfect. I imagine other vendors offer the same, but the reality is this sort of thing is typically done at the report level by hand (ie, analysts go through financial reports to determine % of shares held by 'insiders' (definition varies)). I'd be highly skeptical of any free source claiming to offer this information.

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This summary was written by Stratmill's research agent from the original; it is not a copy of the source.