Bloomberg Reference Guide

Bloomberg is a self-contained, stand alone data feed which has an extremely broad array of services. Historically, it has been noted for its strength in fixed income information and pricing, but its list of products span the entire financial arena. It also has an extremely in-depth array of news categories which include great coverage of categories such as U.S. and international sports and global weather. The Bloomberg range of services is constantly growing and as such, it is impossible to make an exhaustive list of services. However, this manual should serve as a primer to orient the new user to Bloomberg in order that the user become comfortable with the system. At that point, a search for obscure information should become more of a recipe than a difficult task.  Please note that it will be helpful to read this manual in order as the easier operations are listed in the early sections and the more advanced shortcuts are listed in the later sections in order for the manual to avoid redundant instructions. The logical starting point for the tutorial is with the functional yellow keys.  In doing so, the tutorial gives instructions which use the green keys.  If a first time user would like to learn about the green keys before proceeding, then they should review the green key section and then return to the yellow keys.

Table of Contents:

GETTING STARTED
USEFUL ITEMS
FUNCTION KEYS
Yellow keys
Green keys

GETTING STARTED

 From the Start Menu, select Bloomberg.

To logon:

1. Hit the red CONNect DeFauLT key on the top right portion of the key board.
2. Type in Name: FTTC, and Password: OPEN, and then hit GO.

 USEFUL ITEMS BEFORE BEGINNING

1. Whenever in an unfamiliar screen requiring an input, look for directions from Bloomberg (upper left hand corner of the screen) as to the order of the required keystrokes. In most instances, the system will give hints.
2. If a screen is entered that was not intended, use the "menu" key to peel back to the original menu for more selections. The "menu" key usually serves just as the "escape" key would within a Windows environment.
3. If the exact command such as DES is known, there is no need to search through the menu system.  DES is the Bloomberg code for a descriptive screen of the security/commodity/index in question. It is a good idea to always view the DES before proceeding to ensure that the user's search has been successful.

Example: If the user knows the cusip of a corporate bond and wants to know the details on the bond, the key strokes will be as follows: type cusip # Corp DES - hit GO.

If the user knows that the cusip for a particular General Motors bond is 370442AX3 then by typing "370442AX3 Corp DES GO" the following screen will be retrieved.

4. If assistance is needed, hit the Help key while in the menu which is giving trouble.

FUNCTION KEYS

The functional keys guide the user through the various databases and functional analytics which Bloomberg maintains. They consist of yellow menu keys and green operational keys.

Yellow keys:

Govt | Corp | Mtge | M-Mkt | Muni | Pfd | Equity | Cmdty | Index | Crncy | Client | NRG

The yellow keys are really the doorway to the database section of Bloomberg, Each key marks the entrance to the keys description of data. It is not necessary to know where to go after entering one of the yellow sections of Bloomberg. The system will give the user the opportunity to look up the specific codes for the information in question. It will also create a menu of all the available information searches once a yellow section is entered. One piece of advice when using the Bloomberg is to follow the directions at the top of the screen and always read the available menu items which offer all of the available uses within a given yellow key.

The one exception to this rule is the energy database.  If the user wishes to find information on energy related items, the manual entering of NRG  GO will substitute for a yellow key.

The user will find that after using Bloomberg there exists a set pattern for retrieving information concerning each category of information. That set pattern will usually hold for the other yellow key database sections as well as the current yellow key use.

Equity

The Equity section of Bloomberg contains an historical, as well as intraday, price record for a particular common stock as well as information relating to options which derive their value from the underlying equity. In addition, any fundamental or SEC filed information relating to the company will also be found in the Equity section of Bloomberg.

1. To enter the Equity section of Bloomberg, do the following:
2. From anywhere in Bloomberg enter: [ticker symbol] Equity  GO.
3. Bloomberg will take the user to a menu offering all of the choices within the Equity section of the system.
4. The user may now :

1. Hit Page forward to look at additional choices within Equity, or
2. Select an option for that security by entering the corresponding number of a selection then GO, or by typing the corresponding code for the selection as listed in the menu.

Example: The user wants to look at a daily historical pricing table of IBM common stock.

1. Enter: IBM Equity GO.
2. After searching the menu, HP is found to be the correct code for a daily pricing table.
3. Enter: HP GO.
4. The daily pricing chart is brought up by Bloomberg.
5. Note that certain fields will be highlighted (dates, period, etc). By pressing the Tab key, the user will reach these fields for editing and retrieving the proper data.
6. Suppose that HP was not the correct code for the information needed. Then, press Menu and Bloomberg will bring the user back to the original Equity menu for further choices.

 Example: If the user knows that HP is the correct code for his use, then a shortcut avoiding the Menu can be done:

Enter: IBM Equity HP GO.

This will bring the user to point # 4 above.  However, if HP was not correct, entering the Menu key will still bring the user back to the Main Equity Menu for IBM.

 To find a ticker symbol:

1. Enter: Equity GO. This will bring up the Equity Menu without respect to any stock in particular.
2. Looking through the menu, the user finds that TK stands for ticker symbol lookup.
3. Enter: TK  GO.  {Note that the shortcut for steps 1 - 3 would be "EQUITY TK GO"}
4. Type the name of the company into the prompt which Bloomberg brings up and then GO.  To view the screen that corresponds with the example in step 5 below, enter INTL BUS GO at the prompt.
5. The Ticker symbol for the company (or similarly spelled  public companies) will be displayed. Now follow the directions on the screen to retrieve information concerning the company of interest.

The above information relating to Equity is enough to take the user to any portion of the equity database. The best way to learn the system is to just explore the Equity Menu (or other yellow keys) with respect to a particular equity. You will find that Bloomberg not only provides the data, but will in many cases provide analytical tools to help analyze the information which the system provides.

 What if information concerning a call option on IBM is needed?  To find the call option code: 
 
     1. Enter: IBM Equity GO.
     2. Search for OMON (stands for options monitor) and enter.
     3. Bloomberg will bring up the following screen.
 
 
 

 *** The general use of key strokes within the following security groups are just as those in the Equity section...

 M-Mkt

 This section of the Bloomberg database relates to Money Market Information with respect to Corporate issuance. For instance, should the user need to find information regarding Exxon’s commercial paper program, the information would reside in M-Mkt. This section does not contain information regarding generic rates such as Federal Funds. General Economic Rates and measures will generally be found in the Index Section.

To enter the M-Mkt function: Press the yellow M-Mkt key and then GO.
 

To find descriptive information regarding Exxon Corporation's commercial paper program:

    1.  Enter: M-Mkt TK GO.
    2.  Enter: Exxon GO.
    3.  Select Exxon Corp from the provided screen.
    4.  Enter DES GO to find information relating to Exxon Corp's CP program.

 Crncy

This section relates to the foreign currency database with information relating to spot rates, forward rates, options and has the ability to give indications concerning cross rates.

To enter the Crncy function: Press the yellow Crncy key and then GO.

Again, the system works in the same general pattern as the other yellow functional sections.
 

If the user is looking for an historical price graph of the JPY-USD (Japanese Yen vs. U.S. Dollar) relationship:

    1.  Enter JPY Equity GO.
    2.  Looking through the menu the user finds that GP is the appropriate code.  Enter: GP GO.
    3.  An historical graph with adjustable end dates and perodicity will be retrieved.

Client

The Client yellow key relates to a specialized function which is used to store information relating to the clients portfolio information. This function relates to customizing the Bloomberg portflio tracking/pricing abilities.  Upon entering the Client function, Bloomberg will provide all the instructions necessary to store private security information for easy later retrieval.

To enter the Client function: Press the yellow Client key and then GO.

Pfd

The Preferred Stock yellow key stores information relating to the Preferred Stock of public companies. Note however, that the primary database for fundamental corporate information resides in the Equity Section and not the Preferred Stock section.

To enter the Pfd function: Press the yellow Pfd key and then GO.

To find information on IBM Preferred Stock:

    1. Enter: Pfd TK GO.
    2. Enter: INTL BUS GO.
    3. Select and enter the appropriate security.
    4. Enter: DES GO for 3 pages of descriptive data concerning the security.
 

To find yield analysis information (which could be found by searching through the menu system) the user would type the following shortcut after noting the cusip number from the IBM preferred share in the above example:

     Enter: 459200309 Pfd YA GO.  The following screen will be retrieved.
 

Muni

The Municipal section of Bloomberg provides trading, descriptive and settlement information regarding municipal and state bonds. The database is detailed and will also provide pricing information regarding a large portion of the bonds covered by the database.

To enter the Muni function: Press the yellow Muni key and then GO.

Note: While in the Municipal Menu, review carefully the available selections concerning the bond in question. The user will find quite an array of analytical tools available for analyzing municipal bonds.

To find information regarding an Austin, Texas municipal bond:

    1. Enter: Muni TK GO.
    2. Enter: AUSTIN GO.  The following screen will be retrieved..
    3. Choose the line number of the correct bond (line 2).
    4. Enter: DES GO for a description of the bond.
 

Corp

The Corp section of Bloomberg provides trading, descriptive and settlement information regarding corporate bonds. The database is quite in depth and will also provide pricing information regarding a large portion of the bonds covered by the database.

To enter the Corp function: Press the yellow Corp key and then GO.

 Note: While in the Corporate Menu, carefully review the available selections concerning the bond in question. The user will find a vast array of analytical tools available for analyzing corporate bonds.

 What if in depth analysis is required on the General Motors bond mentioned earlier in the tutorial?

    1. Remember that the cusip # is 370442AX3.
    2. Note that settlement and yield information is contained in YA.
    3. Enter the shortcut: 370442AX3 Corp YA GO.
    4. The following screen will be retrieved. 
    5. If Total Return Analysis information is required, then enter: 370442AX3 Corp TRA GO.
    6. The following screen will be retrieved. 

Please note that news stories affecting General Motors can be accessed directly from the Corp section.

For example, to find news information on General Motors immediately after viewing the YA or TRA.

        Enter: CN GO.  A news page similar to the following will be retrieved.

Cmdty

The Commodity section of Bloomberg provides trading, descriptive and settlement information regarding commodities and their associated futures and options. The database is quite in depth and will also provide pricing information regarding a large portion of commodities covered by the database.

To enter the Cmdty function: Press the yellow Cmdty key and then GO.

Note: While in the Commodity Menu, review carefully the available selections concerning the commodity contract in question. The user will find an in depth archive of analytical tools available for analyzing the contract.

What if information is required with respect to a particular corn future?

To start the search process:

    1. Enter: Cmdty TK GO .
    2. Enter: CORN GO.
    3. Choose a corn future from the screen (say line 18).
    4. Enter: DES GO to view a 2 page description for available futures and options.
 

Mtge

The Mortgage section of Bloomberg provides trading, descriptive and settlement information regarding mortgages and CMO’s (collaterized mortgage obligations). The database is quite in depth and will also provide pricing information regarding a large portion of mortgages covered by the database. In addition, by changing parameters (interest rate, paydown assumptions, etc.) for a given CMO, Bloomberg can be very easily used as a teaching tool to understand how interest rates or changes in pre-payment assumptions affect the price of such instruments.

To enter the Mtge function: Press the yellow Mtge key and then GO.

Note: While in the Mortgage Menu, review carefully the available selections concerning the CMO or mortgage in question. The user will find quite an array of analytical tools available for analyzing the contract.

What if information concerning a Chase Mortgage Finance Corp CMO is needed?

    1. Enter: CMO MTGE TK GO.
    2. Page Fwd to page 12 of 72 to view the following page.
    3. Choose Chase Mortgage Finance Corp as listed (line 13) by entering: 13 GO.
    4. From the listed securities choose A1 by entering: A1 GO.
    5. Enter: DES GO for a description to view the following.

Index

The Index section of Bloomberg provides information relating to a large number of generic interest rates as well as economic indices such as CPI etc. For example, the Index section would store information relating to the generic 3 month U.S. Treasury Bill.  Note that in some instances, the user would look up the name of the index under the index section while actually retrieving information from another section of the database such as Govt.

To enter the Index function: Press the yellow Index key and then GO.

 
What if historical yield information is required for the generic 3-month U.S. Treasury Bill?

    1. Enter: Index GO.
    2. Choose Government then GO.
    3. Choose Generic Government Rates then GO.
    4. Choose Treasury bills then GO while noting that GB3 is the symbol for this rate.
    5. Enter: GB3 Govt GO.
    6. Choose Historial Prices/Yields (represented by HP as in other sections) to view the following.

or for the shortcut if the symbol is known,

    1. Enter: GB3 Govt HP GO.
 

Govt

The Government section of Bloomberg provides information pertaining to securities issued by national governments and securities issued by quasi-governmental agencies. Note that the government section provides information relating to particular issues and  generic information such as the approximate 30 year U.S. Treasury Bond rate. However, to look up the symbol for generic rates, see the Index Section .

To enter the Govt function: Press the yellow Govt key and then GO.

 What if settlement information is needed for the purchase of the 5 1/8 of Aug 31-2000 U.S. Treasury Note?

    1. Enter: Govt TK GO.
    2. Choose USA (line number 14) GO.
    3. Choose US Treasury Note/Bond (line number 15) GO from the following screen.
    4. Choose Line 15 by entering 15 Govt GO from the following screen.
    5. From the menu, choose Yield & OAS analysis by entering YA GO.
    6. The following screen will be retrieved. 
    7. Input the correct data in the highlighted sections for correct settlement information.

Or noting the cusip from step 6, a shortcut would be:

    1. Enter: 9128274Q2 Govt YA GO.
 

NRG 

The NRG  section, although not entered by a yellow key, functions exactly as the other yellow key sections.  Data covering energy related areas such as electricity, natural gas, oil, and coal resides in this section. For generic rates, see the Index Section.
 

To use the NRG function enter: NRG GO.

What if information regarding West Texas Natural Gas Prices is required?

    1. Enter: NRG GO.
    2. From the listed areas choose Natural Gas Markets & Statistics then GO.
    3. From the retrieved screen, select NATW then GO for West Texas.
    4. The retrieved screen will now list prices for West Texas Natural Gas Quotes.
 

Green keys:

News | Help | Menu | PageBack/PageFwd | Panel

News

The News key will bring the user to a menu of news categories where detailed news releases can be found. Should the user find himself in a wrong category, hit the Menu key to retrace his footsteps.

Note: The News section provides very broad news coverage. However, should the user be searching for news regarding a specific company, then the search should begin within the yellow equity section of Bloomberg.

Help

The Help key provides help to the user according to the Bloomberg functional area that the user was in when first striking the Help key. For instance, if the user was using the YA function within the CORP section then striking the Help key would bring up relevant help items to that function.

Menu

The Menu key acts much as the escape key acts within Windows. That is, striking the Menu key will bring the user one menu level back. Retreating one level at a time in that instance can reduce search time.

Page-Back/Page-Fwd

The Page-Back/Page-Fwd keys do just as they suggest within a multiple page data retrieval or news story. However, entering a number before striking one of the keys will bring the user backward/forward the corresponding number of pages.

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