Worldscope Database Datatype Definitions Guide

Issue 6
Frequently Asked Questions
closely prior to their inclusion. The main company record and the security level
records are linked by means of their Worldscope Identifier (Field 06035). Each
security-level record contains a reference to the Worldscope identifier of the main
company record in Field 06036 Primary Issue Identifier.
23. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN THE DATA SHOWN AT THE COMPANY LEVEL AND DATA
SHOWN AT THE SECURITY LEVEL?
A main company record contains all general and fundamental data along with the
combined number of shares (adjusted to like par value). Per share earnings, book
value and cash flow are based on the combined number of shares Dividends per
share and stock prices are provided for the primary share type. The selection of that
share type is described under the next question. Further details can be seen in a
footnote to Field 00000 Company Status. Typical text could read "Earnings, book
value and dividend payout are based on ordinary and preference shares combined.
Prices and dividends are for ordinary shares only" or "Prior to Jan 1997, earnings and
book value are based on ordinary and preference shares combined. Preference
shares were converted to ordinary shares in Jan 1997. Prices and dividends are for
ordinary shares only".
The main company record also contains summary data for up to seven share types
(Fields 20001-20648 as shown in the Industry Specific Templates under the heading
Multiple Share Data). This includes their Worldscope Identifier Type of Share and
other summary valuation data. These items are available for 1987 and subsequent
years.
The separate security-level records contain more detailed market, share and stock
performance data for each individual share type. Please note that data in the
Security-level record is available for 1987 and subsequent years unless otherwise
stated in the definition of the item.
24. IF A COMPANY HAS MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF SHARE, HOW DOES WORLDSCOPE SELECT
THE SHARE FOR THE MAIN COMPANY RECORD?
Worldscope selects the share to represent the company on the main company record
based on the following criteria:
1. It is available for foreign investment*
2. It is more widely traded
The share type chosen to represent the company can be found in Field 06005 Type of
Share on the main company record.
*Some markets impose restrictions on foreign ownership of shares, and they may be
required to list and trade separately from the shares owned by local investors -
especially when the ownership ceiling has been reached - although in other respects
they do not constitute a separate security class. Worldscope may choose the local
share in such cases, as this is the underlying security. Thailand and Indonesia are
examples.
25. HOW CAN I DETERMINE IF A COMPANY CURRENTLY HAS MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF SHARE?
An "X" in Field 11501 Indicator - Currently Multi-Share Company indicates that the
company has more than one type of active common or ordinary share, regardless of
whether they are trading or not.
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