GGP (General Growth Properties) & Google Finance

While the stock ticker GGP is no longer active on Google Finance, it historically represented General Growth Properties, a major real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in the ownership, management, and development of shopping malls in the United States. Understanding GGP’s history and its presence on Google Finance is useful for learning about the REIT sector and how financial platforms track such companies.

GGP: A Brief History

GGP was a significant player in the US mall landscape for decades. It owned and operated a vast portfolio of regional malls, often anchored by department stores. The company experienced a high-profile bankruptcy during the 2008 financial crisis, but successfully restructured and emerged stronger. Ultimately, GGP was acquired by Brookfield Property Partners in 2018. Because of this acquisition, GGP’s stock ceased trading on major exchanges, which is why it’s no longer actively tracked on Google Finance.

GGP on Google Finance (Historically)

Before its acquisition, GGP’s stock performance was readily available on Google Finance. Users could have accessed a range of information, including:

• Stock Price Chart: A visual representation of GGP’s stock price fluctuations over different time periods (daily, weekly, monthly, annually).
• Key Statistics: Important financial metrics like earnings per share (EPS), price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, dividend yield, market capitalization, and beta. These stats helped investors assess GGP’s valuation and risk profile.
• News & Analysis: A feed of news articles, press releases, and analyst reports related to GGP, providing insights into the company’s performance, industry trends, and future prospects.
• Financial Statements: Access to GGP’s income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, allowing for a deeper dive into the company’s financial health.
• Competitors: A list of GGP’s main competitors in the REIT sector, such as Simon Property Group, allowing users to compare key metrics and performance.

Why GGP Disappeared from Google Finance

The primary reason GGP is no longer actively listed on Google Finance is its acquisition by Brookfield Property Partners (BPY). When a company is acquired, its stock is typically delisted from exchanges, and its trading history is often archived or removed from active tracking on financial platforms like Google Finance. While historical data might still be accessible, the ticker symbol (GGP) would no longer return current price information or news updates.

Lessons Learned

GGP’s story and its presence on Google Finance highlights several key points:

• Dynamic Nature of the Stock Market: Companies can be acquired, go bankrupt, or restructure, leading to changes in their stock listings.
• Importance of Due Diligence: Thoroughly research a company’s financial health, industry trends, and potential risks before investing.
• Use of Financial Platforms: Google Finance and similar platforms are valuable tools for tracking stock performance, accessing financial data, and staying informed about market news.
• REIT Sector Considerations: REITs are sensitive to interest rate changes and economic cycles. Analyzing their performance requires understanding these factors.

Although GGP as a publicly traded entity no longer exists, its history serves as a case study for understanding REITs, market dynamics, and the information available on platforms like Google Finance. Researchers and students of finance can still leverage archived data to analyze GGP’s past performance and draw valuable lessons.