The formula search tool varies from the simple search tool in that financial data can be compared to other financial data (eg. find me companies where
cash exceeds long-term debt) and also searches can be carried out using users own formulations on the data (eg. find me companies where cash exceeds
long-term debt plus provisions).
Search Steps
There are 3 steps in the Formula Search Tool:
Step 1. Section A – Search Scope (Optional)
The Search Scope defaults to include all currently listed companies. It is possible to refine your search by selecting:
All companies, both listed and delisted, or delisted only.
A specific company or companies. Enter the ASX code/codes in the box provided. If you do not know the company code then use the Code Lookup feature.
Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Sector or Industry Group. Select from the drop down boxes.
Step 2. Section B – Select Section
There are 6 components to the search criteria. The List of Search Fields link provides a full list of Sections and Subsections (this link is located at the bottom of Step B).
1. Select Section from drop down list
2. Select Subsection from drop down list
3. Select Option from drop down list. The prompts in Option will vary according to the specific Section and Subsection. Options can be text, date or a numeric value.
4. Select Term(s) or Value. Enter numeric value. A drop down list is provided for some Subsections.
5. Click on the Add Query button. Your search criteria will then be added to the Query List box in Section C.
To add to your search criteria, simply repeat steps 1 to 5. Edit or delete your search at any time by highlighting a search term in the Query List box and then selecting the Edit Field or Clear Field links (located under the Query List box).
For example, in order to find companies where cash exceeds long-term debt, populate the search screen as follows:
1st Category = Annual Balance Sheet
1st Field = cash
Option = greater than
Value = 1 *
2nd Category = Annual Balance Sheet
2nd Field = L/T debt
A third item can also be included. For example to find companies where cash exceeds long-term debt plus provisions, populate the search screen as follows:
1st Category = Annual Balance Sheet
1st Field = cash
Option = greater than
Value = 1 *
2nd Category = Annual Balance Sheet
2nd Field = L/T debt
Criteria = +
3rd Category = Annual Balance Sheet
3rd Field = provisions
Step 3. Section C – Run Search
Click on the Search button. The results page will display a list of companies that match your search criteria. Clicking on the Company Name will take you to the Corporate Details, while the Section name will take you to that specific section.
Click on the Edit Search button if you wish to edit your search criteria and rerun the search.
Notes:
Value Formatting
To make entering values into the search tool easier we have provided a number of short cuts that you can take. When entering numbers into the 'Value' field of any of the search tools you may use the following conventions:
1. Dealing with large numbers: Entering any number followed by a b will result in that number being multiplied by 1,000,000,000.
For example, entering 1.3b will be converted to 1,300,000,000. This also works for t and m to multiply your number by thousands and millions respectively.
2. Dealing with percentages: Often you have to enter a percentage as a value in your search criteria. Percentages are consistently stored in our financial database as a decimal less then 1. But to make it easier for you, if you were to enter the value in as a percentage, that number will be converted into the appropriate format.
For example, entering the value 83% will automatically be converted into 0.83 for you.