Worldscope accounting data – finding data tips

The large number of data items (datatypes) available in Worldscope can make it difficult to find the ones that you want. The following tips might help.

DS Navigator – Worldscope search (click to expand)

Using the Datastream Navigator:

1. Make sure you use reset to clear previous search criteria
2. Use menu on left to restrict scope to Worldscope
3. Try alternatives when searching by name
4. Try restricting search to just key items – (Key WS Item option)

You can also try making a static request for say all Worldscope balance sheet items for industrial companies. See screencast http://screencast.com/t/2Fl1PQszf

Remember – just because a data item exists within Worldscope does not mean that data will be available for all companies – much depends on what the company reports in its annual accounts (and when a company was included in Worldscope – WC11516 Date Added to Product)

Thomson One Banker – Worldscope definition (click to enlarge)

You can also use Thomson One Banker:

1. Hover over a value in a Worldscope report to get the definition
2. Use item lookup on Worldscope in the Report Writer (Web interface) or Report Wizard (TOB Excel add-in) – right-click to access definition
3. Access pre-defined Worldscope report in the TOB Excel add-in – select a value and the TOB worldscope name will appear in the description of the cell contents e.g.
   =PFDL(“ws.OperatingIncomeAfterDepr“, <date ref>, <comp ref>, <currency ref>)

The Worldscope data definitions guide provides the full detail of the templates for companies (Industrial, Banks, Insurance and Other Financial) and the definitions for all data items. See also:

• http://finabase.blogspot.com/2011/03/datastream-company-accounts-database.html (from Databaser blog)
• Worldscope meets Compustat: A Comparison of Financial Databases by Niels Ulbricht and Christian Weiner may be useful if you are looking to find comparable Worldscope and Compustat data items.