Simple functions & Datastream - Addendum

In an earlier post I said that the asterisk is necessary when doing a combined download that includes one or more functions and/or data types. The last few days when I do the same search in Datastream it seems the asterisk is not necessary.

The search example *LOG#(14352P(RI)), *14352P(RI) can be done as follows: LOG#(14352P(RI)), 14352P(RI)

I do not know why the asterisk is no longer necessary but it seems like this is a good thing. If in future, the searches no longer work I will, however, try including an asterisk again to see if this works instead.

A similar search can also be done for a group of equities by selecting the equities in the Navigator and putting the following in the field for the Data type: LOG#(X(RI)), X(RI)

The X here, stand for each separate equity.

Author information: LinkedIn

08:30 PM - 23 February 2010

Currency conversion in Datastream - Supplement

When downloading data it is important to find out first if the data you are downloading can be meaningfully converted into a different currency. It is, to name a fictive example, not very meangifull to convert a series of numbers into dollars if these numbers are, for instance ratio's. The components of calculated data (ratio's), however, may of course be converted if you want to recalculate data using numbers based on a different currency.

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06:08 PM - 20 January 2010

Currency conversion and CDS in Datastream

I Recently looked for data on Credit Default Swaps (CDS) in datastream to download data. When I tried to download data for the CDS Datastream worked fine and I got the information I wanted. When I tried to convert some CDS time series from Dollars into Euros using the Currency conversion option ~E I could not get any data from Datastream. Somehow Datastream refused to convert the original numers into a different currency. The example I used and tested was the Ford Motor company 5 Years CDS with the mnemonic: F....S5

I also tried different time priods and different data types (for instance SB, SM and SR). Nothing seemed to work. Through the Thomson Financial helpdesk I learned that there was a technical issue with converting CDS and this does not work for now. I have no idea when and if this issue will be resolved.

The only option that is left is to convert the currencies yourself. When you want to recalculate Datastream curency information you need to download and use the World Market Reuters (WMR) series for the currencies you need. Datastream uses these same exchange rates for its own automated currency conversions. In a previous post you can read more on exchange rates in Datastream.

Author information: LinkedIn

12:37 PM - 19 January 2010

The Russell CUSIP Key in Datastream

Datastream contains several identification codes that identify equities in the databases. Some of these identification codes can be used to search for more data in other databases like Compustat, SDC Platinbum or Amadeus. In an earlier post I have said something about this and also presented an overview of identification codes for some databases.

One of the codes that can be downloaded is the CUSIP code. The CUSIP code (Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures) is assigned by the CUSIP Global Services bureau. More information on this code can be found on their company website.

CUSIP codes can be downloaded from Datastream through WorldScope. This database has the 9-digit Cusip code. An alternative source in Datstream is the Russell database (Russell Investments). From this database the Russell Cusip Key can be downloaded using the Mnemonic RSCUID. CUSIP codes from Russell are 8-digit and have the letter U in front of them. The Russell CUSIP Key looks as follows: U8579Y101. A search on the data type Cusip in Datastream should get you this:

If you want to use this key you need to delete the first letter because this is not actually part of a regular CUSIP number. You can use Excel to do this automatically using the text function/formula right() (in the Dutch language version of Excel: Rechts(Cell;8). Below you can see an example of this:

For some databases you may need to add the nineth digit to the CUSIP code. You should make a list of codes in Excel, save them as a text file and then use the CUSIP calculator to get that digit. The calculator can be found on an earlier post in this Blog.

11:07 AM - 4 December 2009

Simple functions in Datastream

Using the Excel version of Datastream it is fairly easy to search using functions. You can also combine searches to get the original data as well as the calculated data. A combination download for the Total Return of an equity and also the lOG of the Total Return would look like this: *LOG#(14352P(RI)), *14352P(RI)

Note: The asterisk is required otherwise this search will not work!
 
You can also search for the LOG of two or more equities or indexes by combining it in a single search as follows: *LOG#(14352P(RI)), *LOG#(865169(RI))

If you want to download calculated values for a larger number of equities the best way to do this is:

1) Make a selection of the equities using the Datastream Navigator

2) Export these equities to get a list of codes (the export button to Excel in the Navigator may be handy here). The codes that can best be used are DS Codes (Datastream codes) or ISIN codes (International Securities Identifying Number).

3) Add the necessary functions in Excel. The example here is the LOG function and the Data type I am using here is the Total Return = RI. Save the new list in Excel as a text file (tab-delimited) and open it again in Excel. The sample movie shows how this can be done in Excel:

4) Next use the Datastream List wizard Tool to create a local list from this. The list would then look similar to this example:

LOG#(14352P(RI))
LOG#(865169(RI))
LOG#(887189(RI))
LOG#(154629(RI))
LOG#(312367(RI))
LOG#(982095(RI))
LOG#(749382(RI))
LOG#(314926(RI))

Note: Use the list picker button to select the local list. Select the period and frequency you need and start downloading. In this case you do not need to select a data type because this is part of the functions in the list that was uploaded.

Author information: LinkedIn

11:23 PM - 14 October 2009