Bloomberg Finance: A Beginner’s Guide to Real-Time Financial Information
By Bloomberg Finance
If you’re currently working in finance or looking to enter the industry, it’s likely that you’ve heard of the Bloomberg terminal. This guide is designed to introduce beginners to one of the finance industry’s most widely-used sources for real-time financial information in a user-friendly and search engine optimized way. The guide will provide an overview of how to use a Bloomberg terminal, starting with how to sign up for and install the program, and then covering basic navigation. It’s worth noting that navigating Bloomberg is unique in that the system uses a special keyboard with some keys that are different from those found on a standard keyboard, so we’ll be covering this in detail. After gaining a working knowledge of the basics, we will then explore some of the market and news monitor functions available on Bloomberg. Finally, we’ll provide information on analyzing securities, as well as tips and tricks for getting the most out of this impressive tool. If you’re an experienced user, or if you want to explore Bloomberg’s capabilities in more detail after reading this guide, keep an eye out for our Advanced Guide to Bloomberg.
Here are the main points to keep in mind:
- The Bloomberg Terminal is a must-have resource for financial experts, and has been for many years.
- While the terminal used to be only available as a standalone system, it can now be downloaded and run on PCs and Macs.
- The terminal provides access to a wealth of up-to-date news and headlines, real-time quotes in multiple markets, tools for fundamental and technical analysis, economic research, and much more.
Installation and Access
If you’re interested in using Bloomberg, there are a couple of options for accessing the system. The first is to subscribe to the service directly. You can get in touch with Bloomberg by calling their general contact number, and a representative will speak with you to find out what you need and have someone from the sales team get in touch with you. Keep in mind that pricing and contract terms are unique to each user and will be discussed with you by the sales team.
It’s important to note that Bloomberg is a costly system, and not everyone may find it practical to have their own terminal. If you do choose to subscribe, Bloomberg can help you install the software over the phone, or they can come out to assist you in person. The software can be installed on most PCs or Macs, but you will need a special keyboard for navigating the system.
The second way to access Bloomberg is to find a public facility that has a terminal available. Many larger libraries and universities have them, so that’s a good place to start. While you won’t be able to customize the system to your preferences, this option may be more cost-effective for some users who can’t afford their own subscription.
Once you’ve accessed the system, the next step is to learn how to navigate it. You can either schedule a visit from a Bloomberg customer service representative, or call customer service for assistance. Bloomberg is known for providing excellent technical support, and a representative should be able to help you get started with using the terminal.
