Introduction to Bloomberg
Jiaxin Low
Research Librarian, FinanceJanuary 2017
BLOOMBERG
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
What is Bloomberg?
• A financial, news, economic database
• “Real-time” information – 15 min delay for academic subscribers (that means us)
• Scope
– Global coverage
– Includes news and analyst reports
Bloomberg keyboard
• Most recognisablefeature
• Special keyboard – from this…
Bloomberg keyboard
• …to this
• Yellow keys are for different asset classes (egequity, fixed income, commodity, etc)
• Blue “Panel” key to toggle between windows
• Enter key is known as <GO>
Where to start?
Available in the Investment Studio only
• Log in to computer with your SMU ID and password
• Click on Bloomberg icon on the desktop
• Use the unique login ID and password for each terminal http://researchguides.smu.edu.sg/login
Where to start?
• Home screen after login:
Home Screen• It is a command-and menu-based system
(command line is NOT a search box)
Using the database
• Take a top-down approach
• Begin with asset class and narrow down
Using the command line
• Start typing and wait for drop down
• Select relevant option from dropdown
Using the command line
• If you know the ticker (e.g. MSFT)
• Type “MSFT”, press“Equity” (F8) key
• Hit <GO>
Security Finder: SECF <GO>
• Allows you to filter and search for all securities available on Bloomberg
Security Finder: SECF <GO>
• Type into orange boxes to search
• Sort the column by clicking on header
1. FIND COMPANY INFORMATION
Company information
• Type Google in the command bar
• Click to view information for GOOG US Equityticker
• Shortcut: Type in GOOG into command line, press F8 key and hit <GO>
Company information
GOOG US Equity Menu Screen
Equity overview: DES <GO>
Company information
Financial Analysis: FA <GO>
Company information
Price graph (chart): GP <GO>
Company information
Price graph (table)
Company information
Historical price table: HP <GO>
Company information
Analyst recommendations: ANR<GO>
Company information
Broker/analyst reports: BRC <GO>
Company information
Broker/analyst reports: BRC <GO>
Company information
Comparable Analysis: RV <GO>
Company information
2. FIND INDUSTRY INFORMATION
Industry information
• Go to Bloomberg Intelligence
• Enter BI<GO>
• Select industry and drill down to dashboard
Industry information
Bloomberg Intelligence: BI <GO>
Industry information
Drill down to specific industry dashboard
3. EQUITY SCREENING
Equity screening
Equity screening: EQS <GO>
Equity screening
Add screening criteria (e.g. exchanges)
Equity screening
Use “Fields” button to search for screening criteria
Equity screening
Click on “Fields” button to search for screening criteria
Equity screening
Click on “Results” button
Equity screening
Results list
Equity screening
View Statistics (e.g. minimum, average, standard
deviation)
Equity screening
Analyse
Equity screening
Grouping by industry
4. BOND SCREENING
Bonds screening: SRCH <GO>
Bonds screening: SRCH <GO>
• Go to “Example Searches” tab for pre-made screens
• Load Search to view results
Bonds screening: SRCH <GO>
• Example: Dim Sum Bonds
5. OTHER USEFUL COMMANDS
Other commands to note
• Commodity Price Forecast: CPFC <GO>
Other commands to note
• Economic Forecast: ECFC <GO>
Other commands to note
• Bloomberg Resource Centre Cheatsheets with commonly used commands: BPS <GO>
Other commands to note
• Cheatsheets in PDF format, can be downloaded
Other commands to note• To register for Bloomberg seminars, use BU
<GO> for Bloomberg University
Other commands to note• Bloomberg Market Concepts BMC <GO>
• 8-hour course with 4 modules
• On the terminal: For help, press <HELP> once for help screen, and <HELP><HELP> or click on “Live Chat” button to contact helpdesk.
• Research guide: http://researchguides.smu.edu.sg/bloomberg
• Email: [email protected]
• Schedule a consultation with a research librarian: http://jiaxinlow.youcanbook.me