1. "Where can I find information about bonds and other fixed income securities?"
2. "How do I find time series data for indices (Dow Jones, S&P 500, Nikkei, etc.)?"
3. "Where can I find a list of constituents for an index?"
4. "Where can I obtain commodities data?"
5. "How do I find currency exchange rates?"
6. "How do I find information on mutual funds or hedge funds?"
7. "Does the library have any basic resources on understanding the stock market, or helping me with my investments?"

1.  "Where can I find information about bonds and other fixed income securities?"

Bloomberg is a good place to start when looking for data for fixed income securities. Use either the CORP or GOVT shortcut key for corporate or government securities research. Bond Market News (TOP BOND) or World Bond Monitor (WB) provides comprehensive news and data for the global bond market.

Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) provides access to CRSP (Center for Research in Security Prices) data. Part of the CRSP package is the U.S. Government Bond File, which contains data for approximately 3,100 marketable U.S. Government Securities.

Extensive bond information is availalble from Thomson One Banker, including more than 260,000 global transactions since 1970. Click the Deals tab and then follow the links for the desired bond category.

Datastream provides time series data for a wide range of global fixed income securities.

Yahoo! Finance provides a great deal of free information for fixed income securities. Their Bond Screener will allow you to screen for bonds based on type, maturity range, rating, and more.

2.  "How do I find time series data for indices (Dow Jones, S&P 500, Nikkei, etc.)?"

Bloomberg’s World Equity Indices (WEI) provides data on all of the major global indices as well as many smaller exchanges and sector indices.

For more complete time series information, Datastream contains historical data for many global indices, in an easily downloadable format.

Thomson One Banker provides an easy format for finding and downloading historical prices for most of the major global indices. Just look for the Indices tab at the top of the screen.

The web sites of some indices and exchanges will list current and historical constituents. Consult our page on Stock Index Web Sites for links to many of these sites.

3.  "Where can I find a list of constituents for an index?"

Using Mergent Online, you can quickly produce a list of constituents for most of the major global indices. After the list is generated, you can create a report that will allow you to compare the companies using selected variables.

The Indices area of Thomson One Banker will generate constituent lists for global indices and will include current pricing data and weighting percentages. You can also change the date to see the constituents on a date in the past.

The web sites of some indices and exchanges will list current and historical constituents. Consult our page on Stock Index Web Sites for links to many of these sites.

4.  "Where can I obtain commodities data?"

Datastream has good coverage of historical spot commodity prices worldwide, as well as some futures and options data (including expired options for 1-3 years).

Bloomberg has a wide variety of data available for the commodity markets, including current market monitors historical data.

The CRB Commodity Yearbook (HF1041 C73 in Ready Reference) is produced by the Commodity Research Bureau and provides an overview (including prices) of a wide range of commodities.

5.  "How do I find currency exchange rates?"

If you are looking for historical currency exchange rates, or rates against currencies other than the dollar in downloadable format, Datastream is the most user friendly library service. It provides historical cross rates and downloads in Excel format.

In Bloomberg, the Currency Market Monitor (BBC) is a good place to start searching for exchange rate data. In addition, the FXC shortcut will allow you to monitor 10 key cross-country rates.

Thomson One Banker has a Currencies area that will allow you to view currency exchange rate data, both current and historical.

Consult our list of Currency Web Sites for free online sources of currency exchange rate data.

6.  "How do I find information on mutual funds or hedge funds?"

Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) contains the CRSP Mutual Funds Annual, which covers more than 27,000 mutual funds, with data beginning in 1961.

Bloomberg provides mutual fund information, including Mutual Fund Performance (MF) and Mutual Fund Rankings (WMF).

The SEC web site has a searchable interface for mutual fund data.

Consult our list of Mutual Fund Web Sites for free online sources of mutual fund information.

For hedge fund research, Bloomberg is an excellent source, starting with their Hedge Fund Home Page (HFND). Additional information can be found for Hedge Fund Rankings (WHF) and Hedge Fund News (HEDN).

The Lipper HedgeWorld Annual Guide (HG 4530 H434 in Ready Reference) contains individual fund performance data, as well as overview chapters concerning trends in hedge fund investing.

7.  "Does the library have any basic resources on understanding the stock market, or helping me with my investments?"

The library owns several books that explain the fundamental information that a new investor should understand, as well as the intricacies of specific investment tools. How Wall Street Works (HG 4572 S37x 1999 in Reference) and The Standard & Poor's Guide for the New Investor (HG4521 M359 2004 in Ready Reference) are two examples. They cover the basics (e.g. What are stocks? What are mutual funds?) as well as how to find a good broker, how to analyze stocks, and how to succeed in online trading. Introduction to Equity Markets (HG 4551 I57x 1999) and Forbes Guide to the Markets: Becoming a Savvy Investor (HG 4523 G76x 1999) are other examples of basic investing guides.

Additional titles for basic financial market research include:

• Derivatives: An Introduction (HG6024 A3 S78x 2002)
• How Mutual Funds Work (HG 4530 F73x 1998)
• How the Bond Market Works (HG4651 H68x 2002)
• How the Stock Market Works (HG4551 D29x 2001)
• An Introduction to Bond Markets (HG4651 C6796 2006)
• An Introduction to Capital Markets (HG4523 C44 2002)
• Understanding Swaps (HG6024 A3 M373x 1993)

If you want to learn the basics online, many stock or investment-oriented sites provide guides for the new investor. The level of previous knowledge assumed differs across services. TheStreet.com provides one of the most basic and comprehensive guides to investing.

Still can't find the answer you're looking for? Send a question to Ask A Librarian or stop by the reference desk during reference hours.