Navigating Higher One Information on Google Finance

While Google Finance doesn’t explicitly list “Higher One” as a currently tracked entity (it was acquired and rebranded), understanding how it *would* have been viewed, and how you can now find related information on its acquirers/successors using Google Finance, remains valuable. Higher One, originally a financial services company focused on serving college students with banking solutions (especially refund disbursements), was a publicly traded company before being acquired.

Here’s a breakdown of how data relating to Higher One (or its current iterations) would have been (or can be) accessed through Google Finance:

Finding Historical Data (and Tracing Successors)

The key is to understand the ticker symbol Higher One used to trade under. While its historical ticker symbol may no longer directly lead to current information, Google Finance often maintains archives or provides clues. Try searching for “Higher One stock” or the name of its acquiring company (e.g., “Blackbaud”) on Google Finance. Even if Higher One itself isn’t listed anymore, Google Finance might show news articles or historical data that link to its acquisition by another company.

Once you identify the acquiring company (or companies that now offer similar services), you can use their ticker symbols in Google Finance. For example, search for Blackbaud’s ticker (BLKB) to view its stock information, news, and financials. Analyze news related to Blackbaud to see if there is any mention of integration/impact from acquiring Higher One. This is how you can infer the impact of the acquisition on the acquiring company’s performance.

Key Features to Explore on Google Finance (For Related Companies)

Assuming you’ve found the ticker symbol of a company that either acquired Higher One or now offers similar services, here are the sections on Google Finance to focus on:

• Summary: Provides a quick overview of the company’s key metrics, including stock price, market capitalization, and trading volume.
• News: This is crucial for tracking any news or press releases that relate to the acquisition of Higher One or any strategic changes affecting the business formerly conducted by Higher One.
• Financials: Examine the company’s income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement to assess its overall financial health and performance. Look for line items that might be related to the acquired assets/operations.
• Related Companies: Google Finance suggests related companies, which might include competitors or companies involved in similar financial services for students.

Why This Matters

Understanding how acquisitions and mergers affect company performance is a core part of financial analysis. By tracing the legacy of companies like Higher One through Google Finance and examining the performance of their acquirers, you gain insight into the value and impact of these corporate transactions. You also see how business models adapt and evolve within the financial landscape.

Remember, always cross-reference information found on Google Finance with official company reports and reputable financial news sources for a more comprehensive and accurate understanding.