Worldscope Database Datatype Definitions Guide

Introduction to Worldscope
General Description
Objective
Information Content
Issue 6
Introduction to Worldscope
The Worldscope Global Database is the financial industry’s premier source of detailed
financial statement data and profile data on public companies domiciled outside of the
United States of America. It also contains complete coverage of US companies filing
with the Securities Exchange Commission, with the exception of closed end
investment companies. Using primary source documents and news clippings,
Worldscope data analysts extract the data to global templates that are specific to
industry groups. The templates take into consideration the variety of accounting
conventions and are designed to facilitate comparisons between companies and
industries within and across national boundaries. Please refer to the Database
Methodology overview for more information regarding templated data.
Worldscope provides professional analysts and portfolio managers with the most
comprehensive, accurate and timely data on publicly quoted companies around the
world. Worldscope’s aim is to enhance the comparability of the financial data of
companies from different countries and industries and across time periods.
The total universe of companies contained on the database has grown from about
4,000 in 1987, to over 51,100 at March 2007 This includes 33,300 currently active
companies in developed and emerging markets, representing approximately 95% of
global market capitalization. Worldscope contains extinct or inactive companies, i.e.
those which have merged, liquidated or become privately held. History for these
companies remains on the database.
Over 70 countries are represented, and include all countries in targeted global indices
(FTSE All World, Dow Jones Global, MSCI World, MSCI EMF, S&P Global,
S&P/Citigroup).
The base year for the Worldscope Database is 1980, although statistically significant
company and data item representation is best represented from January 1985
forward. The following general types of information are available. The level of detail
available for each company may differ depending on update type and company type:
Company Header Information and CV Profiles
Address Officers Business Descriptions
SIC Codes Product Segments Investor Relations
Auditors Company
Status
Geographic Segments
Financial Statements
Balance Sheet Income Statement Cash Flow Statement
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