Buzz
The Bloomberg Terminal serves as a sophisticated yet remarkably potent tool for discovering and manipulating data. It encompasses details relevant to every publicly traded security along with a plethora of macro and microeconomic datasets. The Bloomberg Terminal is a computer preloaded with specialized software and hardware (dual screens and a modified keyboard). Access to a Bloomberg Terminal with the specialized keyboard and a Bloomberg account is necessary.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Loading a Security into the Bloomberg Module
Initiate login by pressing the 'Enter' key or 'GO' button on your Bloomberg Terminal, then proceed to log in.
Enter the name or ticker symbol of the publicly traded company in the search bar located at the top of your screen.
Scroll down using the arrow keys on your keyboard until the desired company is highlighted under the 'Securities' section. Then press the GO key on your keyboard.
- This action will display a menu screen with various modules available for this security.
- The selected security is now loaded into the window on your Bloomberg Terminal, and any modules opened thereafter will have that security loaded unless specified otherwise.
Utilizing Bloomberg Features
Access the DES - Description Module. From the menu window, type 'DES' and press GO.
- This will bring up the description page for your selected security, allowing quick access to key information such as market capitalization, trading statistics, analyst recommendations, and more.
- From this page, you can delve deeper by clicking on specific headings or by entering the corresponding numbers into the search bar and pressing GO.
- To navigate back, use the green menu key on your keyboard until you return to the DES home page or the security menu.
Utilize the GP - Graph Module. To access the Graph Module, enter 'GP' into the search bar and press GO.
- This will display a line chart depicting the price movement of your selected security over a chosen time frame.
- You can adjust the timeline at the top left of the graph, ranging from 1D (one day) to 1M (one month), 1Y (one year), or YTD (Year To Date).
Explore HP - Historical Pricing. To access the Historical Pricing Module, input HP in the search bar and press GO.
- This page enables you to view and, importantly, extract historical trading data on your security into Excel.
- Select your desired date range for the data extraction at the top left.
- Choose two data fields for extraction from the drop-down menus next to Market at the top left.
- Click on the red 'Export to Excel' button or enter 96 and GO into the search bar.
- Bloomberg will automatically launch Excel on your computer and load the data.
Assess FA - Financial Analysis. To access the Financial Analysis Module, input FA in the search bar and press GO.
- This module provides quick access to financial statements and metrics for your company.
- Navigate through the pages by clicking on the gray tabs at the top of the screen to access income statements, balance sheets, and cash flows.
- To visualize data for any metric, click on the bar graph icon to the left.
- Add metrics by checking the corresponding boxes.
- Once done, press the menu key on your keyboard to return to the Financial Analysis Module home page.
Recommendations
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If you need assistance or additional information about a module you're using, simply click on the question mark in the top right corner of your screen.
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If you're a student, your university may provide access to a Bloomberg Terminal and login account for its students.
