Datastream quick guide

							                        Datastream: quick guide
Library
Services
What is Datastream?

A major source of current and historical online data on financial markets, economic
indicators, and company information.


When should I use Datastream?

If you require any of the following:
    • Economics: Country Reports and statistical data - e.g. GDP
    • Bonds (a single bond); Bond Indices (multiple bonds); Equities (share price for a
        co - e.g. BT); Equity Indices (share prices for an index - e.g. FTSE 100);
        Investment Trusts; Unit Trusts (e.g. pension schemes); Interest rates (e.g.
        LIBOR, bank base rate, mortgage); Exchange rates (e.g. £ to $); Commodities and
        Derivatives (N.B a limited amount of data - e.g. cocoa, oil)


Accessing and Booking Datastream

Access: it is only available from two terminals at Moorgate Library, one on the training desk,
and one in the group PC area. N.B Multiple login is not possible.
Booking:
  1. Go to the library catalogue: http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk/
  2. Select Online resources, Title (Datastream) and click Search
  3. Type: Datastream and click Search
  4. Click on ‘Book short loan item'
  5. Enter your University network username and password and click Submit
  6. Use the calendar to make an appointment to use it.

Login to the Datastream PC and click on the Datastream Advance 5.0 icon on the
desktop, or from the list of programs.


DataStream Categories

Datatype: There are many different types but should normally be set to DEFAULT
Date settings: You can search as far back as the data you require is available on
Datastream, or between 3 months and 20 years, or for a specific time period
Analysis types: Overview, Chart, Report, Comparison, Single or Multiple Time Series

Default Settings

The default settings are Equities, Overview of Company Performance, Single Series
and Datatype is Price adjusted and the information displayed is for one year only. These
will need to be changed if you wish to use a different type of search.

Database Guide: Datastream                                             Library Services
                                                                                  D. Kinnersley
                        Datastream: quick guide
Library
Services

Example of a search: step-by-step

   1. From Data Category (top left-hand corner) select the type of search (equities,
      economics, etc.)
   2. Select the type of series (multiple, single, etc.) from Analysis (bottom left-hand
      corner)
   3. Change the Datatype or ensure it is set to DEFAULT (upper-middle, second box)
   4. Change the time period if required or leave on base (upper-right)
   5. Change the currency or set to local currency (middle-right)
   6. Type the name of data you require (e.g. Tesco if an equity; Crude Oil if a commodity)
      using the Enter Series search box, (upper-middle, first one) and click Search
   7. The term you used will appear in a new window (the Navigator), probably more than
      once
   8. Maximise this window and click on the option with the most Yeses, also relating to
      the market (country) and currency required, preferably with no brackets after the
      title
   9. If there are too many results, click on Set criteria (top-left of Navigator window) to
      enter more options to narrow your search (e.g. by market, currency, exchange).
      Then click on the matching name from the Navigator window list, as above
   10. You are now back to the main Datastream window where you can click on the
       Settings button (top right-hand corner) to select the frequency (daily, weekly,
       monthly, quarterly or annually). N.B. this cannot be used with Overview of company
       performance as this is only available for 1 year
   11. Next click on Run Now! button (middle, right-hand corner)
   12. Your data will be displayed in the results screen (lower-middle)

Printing, emailing, saving results

   •   Data in the results screen can be exported into an Excel spreadsheet by clicking on
       the small green X (for Excel) icon on the main menu bar
   •   The Excel spreadsheet can then be saved and emailed to you or saved to your
       memory stick
   •   If you wish to print the results, go to File on the main menu bar and select print


Getting more help

Within Datastream from the top menu bar choose Help to see an online tutorial.

If you have never used Datastream before and would like an overview, or would like further
help, you can email d.kinnersley@londonmet.ac.uk with details of the date/time you’d like to
use it for a demonstration and assistance.
Database Guide: Datastream                                          Library Services
                                                                                   D. Kinnersley