Tip #2003-01: Bloomberg Performance Monitor
One of the most looked at and widely distributed financial information is one which compares the performance of a portfolio or
a basket of stocks against a benchmark or several benchmark indices. Preparing and updating reports, which supply this information,
is done extensively by financial market professionals. In this Willow Tip we are going to discuss how you can easily build a
portfolio performance monitor in Excel.
If you combine the power of Bloomberg’s cell referencing real-time RTD function and BLPSH historical function, creating a dynamic
self updating portfolio performance monitor in Excel is quite easy. In addition we also used the user-defined function we created
in Willow Tips 2002-9, which finds the last business day for the previous quarter. No macro code is required nor is it necessary to
retrieve large ranges of historical data. If you use Excel’s auto filter and subtotal function, which we discussed in Willow
Tips 2002-10, you can get a great deal of insight on how well or poorly your investment positions are performing in relation to a
group of benchmark indices.
We have created a workbook which displays several benchmark equity indices in one section of the worksheet. In a section immediately
below we have created a portfolio of equities. Since Bloomberg’s real-time and historical formulas use cell referencing all you need
to do to customize this application is to change the instrument codes for the benchmark indices or any of the holdings in the
portfolio. Bloomberg subscribers can download this model, make any changes and they will be automatically updated. Also in order to
use the RTD function you need to have Excel XP. For further details on the RTD function check our white paper.
Excel XP's new RTD function.
We created a workbook which displays some benchmark indices and portfolio of stocks and uses the Bloomberg’s RTD and BLPSH
functions. To help you perform what-if analysis added Excel’s Auto Filter in combination with the SUBTOTAL function. Download
this sample workbook. The workbook contains comments which guide you on how to use these features.
The Bloomberg RTD Function
Willow Solutions Inc. is a Microsoft Certified Partner with proven expertise and knowledge in developing
proprietary applications used primarily in the financial services industry. The company specializes in solutions
that combine the power of Microsoft Excel and Visual Basic, with an in-depth knowledge of financial markets.
Contact us if you would like to employ our services to help you enhance this model or help you design financial
models or customized applications.
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