Last Updated: 28 Oct 2024 Views: 3167 (After reading, tell us below if this answer was helpful)

Getting help in I/B/E/S (or IBES) for historical forecast data


I/B/E/S (also written 'IBES') is the Institutional Brokers' Estimate System, a database from Refinitiv (Thomson Reuters) which is available via WRDS. There is some coverage in Datastream and Workspace too.
 

What is IBES?

  • It is a historical record of forecast data (that is, what many analysts predicted would happen to companies).
  • There are more than 20 forecast measures (e.g. revenue, EPS (earnings per share) and pre-tax profits).
  • It covers 60,000+ companies in 100+ markets, going back to up-to 1975.
  • The periods covered include annual, quarterly, semi annual forecasts and 'long-term'. So, you might have estimates for 10 years in the future, as recorded every year.
  • There are more than 3,000 estimators (brokers) firms contributing data, totalling over 30,000 individual analysts.

 

What are the different IBES databases in WRDS?

There are three different academic subscriptions:
  • IBES Historical Estimates (3rd party analysts' forecasts for companies)
  • IBES Guidance (management's own predictions on their company)
  • IBES Global Aggregates (forecasts on countries and int'l indices)
The Historical Estimates are arranged in two main data sets:
  • Detail History (analyst-by-analyst estimates)
  • Summary History (aggregated estimates)
The WRDS version is much larger than the Datastream version. WRDS have added identifiers.
  • You can link WRDS IBES to Compustat using the 'IBTIC' field in Compustat.
  • You can link WRDS IBES to CRSP using CUSIP (or via this table).

 

Can I access IBES via WRDS?

IBES via WRDS is available for AMBS Accounting and Finance researchers only. Contact the Teaching, Learning and Students team to request access.

 

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