Data and Statistics: Bloomberg

Bloomberg is a global financial markets database providing economic and business news, analytics, real time pricing for over 5 million securities world-wide. It also includes extensive historical pricing and stock charts.

Bloomberg terminals (computers) are available in the Financial Resources Suite, BANN 230a. You will need an individual account to use the terminal. If you do not already have an account, you can create one at the terminal.

There is a booking system in place for use of the terminal. See the ‘Booking a Bloomberg terminal’ section on the right hand side for information on how to do this.

• A "getting started" guide has been created by Bloomberg and provides an overview of, and how to navigate and search, the resource.

• The Bloomberg Market Concepts e-learning programme, with certification, is a great way to learn to use the database - see the box below for details on how to access the BMC.
• In Bloomberg, type in HELP or BU (Bloomberg University) for access to resources which can help with learning to use the terminal.
• We will be relaunching our Bloomberg LibSmart workshops soon, over Zoom. Details will be in the box below.

Bloomberg have two available certification courses

Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) is a self-paced e-learning course that provides an interactive introduction to the financial markets. The course helps you learn to use Bloomberg through an exploration of financial market concepts.

The BMC has four core modules, which must be completed to get the certificate:

• Economics
• Currencies
• Fixed Income
• Equities

Four optional modules are also available:

• Terminal Basics
• Commodities
• Equity Options
• Portfolio Management

Once you have completed these, you will be able to download a certification, which you can include on your CV and LinkedIn profile.

Environmental Social Governance (ESG)

'The Bloomberg ESG Certificate is a self-paced, interactive e-learning course that shows learners how to implement ESG strategies and prepare ESG reports for regulators through the lens of a fictitious buy-side asset management firm' (Bloomberg Finance, 2022)

• Introduction to ESG and Sustainable Finance
• Researching and Adopting ESG
• Negative Exclusionary Screening and Positive Screening
• ESG Integration - Fixed Income
• ESG Integration - Equities
• Corporate Governance and Shareholder Activism
• Reporting Sustainable Activities 

Once you have completed these, you will be able to download a certification, which you can include on your CV and LinkedIn profile.

Access

Bloomberg certifications are available through the Bloomberg Terminals on campus in BANN 230a (or contact your librarian for other options)

To get started:

• Log into a Bloomberg PC using your usual details, then double-click the green Bloomberg icon.  Click on 'Enter or Go to start' to see the login screen
• If you have already registered enter your username and password, otherwise choose the option for creating a new login
• Once you are logged in, type in the function code BCER and enter to get to a page where you can get more information and sign up, creating a Bloomberg for Education account with your Brunel email address

If you have any problems accessing certification or logging in to the Bloomberg Terminal, contact your Academic Liaison Librarian for help.

Getting Started with Bloomberg

An introduction to the financial markets database, covering: what’s available, booking a terminal and setting up an account, finding your way around, getting help. Including Equities (GP, FA, SPLC, EQS); Equity Indices (WEI); Industries (BI); Economics (ECST, BECO).

Using Bloomberg with Excel

Covering exporting data from Bloomberg, accessing the Bloomberg Excel add-in, options for downloading data to avoid exceeding the export limit (Bloomberg Query Language - BQL), using the Spreadsheet Builder to import time series and static data ans accessing templates

Attendees at this seminar should have previously attended a Getting Started with Bloomberg session, or have past experience using Bloomberg.

See below a Panopto recording demonstrating most of the content usually covered in the Using Bloomberg with Excel class:

Bloomberg certification

An overview of Bloomberg Certification and learning options, including the Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) e-learning course, the Environmental Social Governmental (ESG) course, videos, webinars and case studies.

Covering how to access and work through the certifications, and how completing them can benefit employability, especially for those seeking careers in finance and investment. 

The Financial Resource Suite is available during Library opening hours. You can book up to four hours a day, and three days in advance. Each session is an hour long. To book a terminal,

1. Go to the Booking rooms and resources page (also available by selecting Book Study Spaces under the search box on the Library homepage
2. Select Book a library seat or group study room
3. Click on the Select Location pull down arrow and select Bloomberg from the list
4. Click on the Show Availability tab
5. The sessions are set in one-hour slots. Select your times and click on Submit Times.
6. Review the terms and conditions and select Continue
7. Check your details and then select Submit my booking

Please be aware that there will be times when the Bloomberg terminals will be unavailable to book due to planned teaching sessions.

1. By making a booking you are making a commitment to use the database at the confirmed time. If you no longer need to use a booking, cancel it via the link in the confirmation email.
2. Before you start using the terminal, you must confirm your session. Follow the instructions in the booking confirmation email sent to you. 
3. You can check in up to 30 minutes before your session starts. If you have not checked in 15 minutes after your session has started, your booking will be cancelled.
4. We will get in touch with people who regularly do not check in to ensure you understand the importance of making use of the booking system. 
5. At the end of your session, close down Bloomberg so that access is available for other people who have booked, or for use in classes.