Yahoo! Stock Ticker Project: Build a Live Market Display with Arduino and Python

Necessary tools and machines

3D Printer (generic) For the LCD case (Optional)

About this project

For this project you will need a Python 2.7 IDE. I recommend using Enthought Canopy for this project. Next, you will need the Yahoo Finance API library. To do this, type:

pip install yahoo_finance

into your command prompt or shell. Additionally, install PySerial for communication with your Arduino. Type:

pip install pyserial

into your command prompt. Then copy and paste the code into the editor. In the Stock names list, you can add any other stock names you want. Make sure the serial port is the same as your Arduino board's, or else it won't connect. You can edit this in the line that says:

ser = serial.Serial('COM<port name>',9600)

Next, open up your Arduino IDE to copy-paste your code into the editor. From there just upload and enjoy! 

If you want to get fancy, I linked a 3d-printed case for the LCD.

Code

• Python Side for Stock Ticker
• Arduino Side for Stock Ticker

Python Side for Stock TickerPython

from yahoo_finance import Share
import time
import serial
StockShares = ['DOW','YHOO','BAC','F','JPM','TWTR','CHK','PBR','FIT','COG','ABX','FCX','GE','TRGP','CNX','BSX','MRC','NKE','NEM','PBRA','HST','BP','MRK','HON','MET','CLR','WPX' \
,'EXC','JCP','YELP','GNC','TSLA','VRX','P','NFLX','CMG','SM','WYNN','SHAK','ICON']

ser = serial.Serial('COM1',9600)
def printShare(share,name):
    ser.write(name + ': *' + share.get_open()+','+share.get_price())
    print name + ': *' + share.get_open()+','+share.get_price()
    time.sleep(.1)
def mainProgram():
    for i in StockShares:
        name = i
        s = Share(i)
        printShare(s,name)
        s.refresh()
        time.sleep(9.5)
    mainProgram()
mainProgram()

Arduino Side for Stock TickerC/C++

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
String str = "";
float o;
float c;
String s;
LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 5, 4, 3, 2);
void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:
Serial.begin(9600);
lcd.begin(16, 2);
lcd.setCursor(0,0);
delay(1000);
}

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
if (Serial.available()>0){
  s = Serial.readStringUntil('*');
  o = Serial.parseFloat();
  c = Serial.parseFloat();
 
}
lcd.print(s + "open:" + o);
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
lcd.print("current:");
lcd.print(c);
delay(2000);
for (int positionCounter = 0; positionCounter < 17; positionCounter++) {
lcd.scrollDisplayLeft();
delay(200);
}
delay(500);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0,0);
lcd.print("change: ");
lcd.print(c-o);
delay(2000);
for (int positionCounter = 0; positionCounter < 17; positionCounter++) {
lcd.scrollDisplayLeft();
delay(200);
}
lcd.clear();
}

Custom parts and enclosures

Schematics