BLOOMBERG BASICS

The Bloomberg Terminal

• Seamlessly integrates the very best in data, news and

analytics.
• The Terminal is a 24-hour, global financial services system
that provides transparent and reliable financial, economic
and government information covering all market sectors.
• It features company financials, market data, analysis,
research, charts, statistics, a communications platform and
current news reports.
• These are used by top financial professionals in analytical
decision making.
The Bloomberg Keyboard
The Interface…
 Running Functions

• Functions are unique Bloomberg applications that provide analysis and

information on securities, sectors, regions and more.
• Each function can be accessed by typing in its unique mnemonic (a short,
memorable name) and then pressing the <GO> key.
• There are two types of functions:
• Non-security functions provide information or analysis on an entire
market sector and do not require a loaded security e.g. WEI .
• Security-specific functions analyse a loaded security, e.g. GP (Graph
Price).
 Functions vs Securities

• Using autocomplete… E.g. Type ‘Inflation’ into the command line and
select the right function or security from the list of suggestions
• ECMX (highlighted above) is a Global Economic Matrix function used to
view Global Inflation
 Functions vs Securities

• Or select the function ‘WBI’ which is used to analyse World Bond Inflation
 Securities

• Using autocomplete for securities … Type ‘AT & T’ into the command
line and select the right security from the list of suggestions
• T US Equity (highlighted above) AT &T Inc. listed in the US
 Search Functionalities

• Search for a keyword by typing it into the command line and hitting the ‘search’ key
 Browsing Menus

• You may also navigate the system by using the menu functions as highlighted
above
 Navigating Functions

• Amber fields are editable – you may type to edit subjects but stay on the same
function
• Number Navigation – hit number and GO to go to the relevant item
• Clickable areas allow you to access more details e.g. graphs.
 Some mnemonics for popular
company analysis functions

• DES: Company Description and Overview

• CN: Company News
• HP: Historical Price Table
• GP: Historical Price Chart
• GIP: Intraday Price Chart
• DVD: Dividend Information
• ERN: Earnings Summary
 Some mnemonics for popular
company analysis functions

• FA: Fundamentals and Financial Statements

• RG: Total Return Comparison
• RELS: Capital Structure (including bonds and CDS
spreads)
• G: Technical Analysis and/or Multi-Security Charts
• Note: To access a function’s Help Page (a comprehensive
user guide), press the <HELP> key once.
• For cheat sheets that provide lists of popular analysis
functions for specific security types, enter BU <GO>,
then click the Access Training Documents link.
 Examples of ‘Securities’

• SPX <INDEX> <GO> S&P 500 index

• USURTOT <INDEX> <GO> Index tracking the US
Unemployment Rate
• EUR <CURNCY> <GO> Euro spot
• F 12 5/15/15 <CORP> <GO> Ford Motor Credit bond,
12% coupon, matures May 15, 2015
• CL1 <CMDTY> <GO> Front-month NYMEX-traded sweet
crude oil futures contract
 BLOOMBERG MARKETS
CONCEPT (BMC)
• 8 hour self-paced e-learning course that provides a visual
introduction to the financial markets.
• BMC consists of 4 modules – Economics, Currencies, Fixed
Income and Equities – woven together from Bloomberg data,
news, analytics and television.
• Normally costs $249 USD or $149 USD with an educational
email address – free for Coventry University Students.
• 120 assessment questions through the 4 modules
• All learners receive a certificate of completion after finishing
all modules
• http://about.bloomberginstitute.com/universities/
bloomberg-market-concepts/
ANY QUESTIONS?