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Finding data

A guide to financial and socio-economic data such as Compustat, LSEG Workspace, SDC Platinum, WRDS, and CRSP

I/B/E/S/

Access

Important: Starting at January 1st 2024, the I/B/E/S/ data will become available through LSEG Workspace. This database does not offer the exact same coverage as before through WRDS (prior to 2024). The aggregate (consensus) time series data can be downloaded through the Workspace Excel add-in.

Content

This source provides current and historical consensus data and forecasts from security analysts, for companies worldwide. Forecast items include earnings per share, revenue, cash flow, long-term growth projections, and stock recommendations. Data are available in multiple frequencies as well as covering shorter or longer time frames.

There are different sections / datasets that are part of I/B/E/S/ Academic subscription:

  • The Summary History consists of a snapshot of the consensus level data taken monthly. The U.S. data cover reported earnings estimates and results since January 1976, while the international data start in 1987.
  • The Detail History (Analyst Earnings Estimate History) is a timeline of individual analysts' earnings forecasts (daily records at the analyst level). The U.S. data start in 1983, while the International data start in 1987.
  • There is also a specific section with aggregated recommendations based on the detailed analyst data.
  • The Information section covers exchange rate type data

Documentation and manuals

Several user guides are available in the Support section of the WRDS platform. There are also some documents explaining changes in the content of the database when it was acquired by the current owner, Refinitiv.

Other information

The links below provide some practical information on using IBES: