Introduction to Bloomberg Terminals

• Indexes aren't traded directly
• Use SECF to find all kinds of products
• UKX Index is an example index
• Use CT to view futures contracts
• Use OMON to look at options, just as for equities
• Use GIP to view intraday prices 

ETF's

• Exchange traded funds are companies that invest in an index in a predictable way, so investing in an ETF is almost the same as investing in the index
• Use SECF to find ETF's. For example you could find an ETF on the S&P 500 or on Nasdaq.

Commodity Futures

• Use SECF of course. For example you can find futures on your favourite commodities FCOJ and pork bellies.
• Use DES to find out more. The description of the product you get on the commodities market is very precise.

Currency

• Use USDEUR Curncy <Go> to find USD to EUR exchange rates. You could use SECF if you prefer.
• The Big 7 currencies are USD, GBP, EUR, JPY, CHF (Swiss Frances), AUD (Australian $) and CAD (Canadian $).
• OVML is used to price currency derivatives

Bonds

• SECF will again find you Bond prices or you can type DIS Corp <Go> to get Disney prices
• Secured Debt/Unsecured debt
• Senior Debt/Subordinated Debt
• Credit Ratings
• Coupon
• Yield
• Clean Prices and Dirty prices
• Face value
• Maturiy type (Callable=issuer can pay them off early; bullet=all paid off at once, putable=you can demand early repayment, sinkable=backed by a sinking fund)

Yield Curves

• Using ICYM to view the large number of yield curves
• Look at the yield curves for currencies/deposits/sectors/credit ratings etc.
• SWPM is used to price interest rate derivatives
• Use the risk tab to see the sensitivity to one basis point change in the yield curve
• Use the Cashflow tab to visualize the cashflows
• Use the scenarios tab to experiment with market changes
• Use the CVA tab to see the effect that the counterparties credit rating has on the price.
• Use VCUBE to see the data used to price interest rate derivatives
• The data comes from ICAP