First Call

First Call is a financial service network historically used by institutional investors, financial analysts, and corporate executives for timely and accurate earnings estimates and financial data.

Definition

First Call is a comprehensive financial service that provides a platform for earnings expectations, analyst forecasts, and corporate financial data. Initially launched by Thomson Financial, First Call offers accurate, real-time financial data to aid in investment decisions. It focuses on providing consensus earnings estimates, company performance analysis, and news.

Examples

Example 1: Institutional Investors

Institutional investors, such as mutual funds and pension funds, use First Call to access timely and precise earnings estimates and corporate forecasts to guide their investment decisions.

Example 2: Financial Analysts

Financial analysts utilize First Call to compare their earnings models with consensus forecasts provided by other market professionals, aiding in refining their own predictions and recommendations.

Example 3: Corporate Executives

Corporate executives use First Call to stay informed about market expectations and analyst opinions regarding their company’s performance, allowing them to understand market sentiment and better communicate with investors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What type of information is available on First Call?

First Call provides earnings estimates, analyst forecasts, corporate performance data, and financial news.

How does First Call differ from other financial data services?

First Call is known for its timely and accurate earnings estimates and its extensive coverage of analyst forecasts.

Who benefits the most from using First Call?

Institutional investors, financial analysts, and corporate executives benefit the most by making informed decisions based on thorough and reliable financial data.

Is First Call available for individual investors?

While primarily designed for institutional use, some aspects of First Call data may be accessible through financial service providers that cater to individual investors.

How has First Call evolved over the years?

First Call has evolved by integrating more comprehensive data and analytics tools, continuously improving its technology to provide real-time insights and high precision in financial analysis.

Earnings Estimate

Earnings estimate refers to projections of a company’s future profitability provided by analysts and financial experts. These estimates predict the profit a company is expected to generate during a specific period.

Analyst Forecast

An analyst forecast is a prediction made by financial analysts regarding a company’s future financial performance based on a variety of data points and analytical models.

Consensus Estimate

Consensus estimate is the average of various analysts’ earnings estimates for a given company, providing a collective prediction of future financial performance.

Institutional Investors

Institutional investors are organizations such as mutual funds, pension funds, and insurance companies that invest large amounts of money in securities, real estate, and other investment assets.

Online References

Suggested Books for Further Studies

  1. “Analysis for Financial Management” by Robert C. Higgins.
  2. “Financial Statement Analysis and Security Valuation” by Stephen Penman.
  3. “Security Analysis” by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd.

Fundamentals of First Call: Financial Services Basics Quiz

### What is the primary use of First Call for institutional investors? - [x] Accessing timely and precise earnings estimates and corporate forecasts. - [ ] Managing company budgets. - [ ] Recruiting financial analysts. - [ ] Conducting market research for new products. > **Explanation:** Institutional investors use First Call to obtain timely and accurate earnings estimates and forecasts to guide their investment decisions. ### Who originally launched First Call? - [ ] Bloomberg - [x] Thomson Financial - [ ] Reuters - [ ] The Wall Street Journal > **Explanation:** First Call was originally launched by Thomson Financial to provide accurate financial data and earnings estimates. ### Which type of forecasts does First Call primarily offer? - [ ] Marketing forecasts - [ ] Economic forecasts - [x] Analyst forecasts - [ ] Political forecasts > **Explanation:** First Call primarily offers analyst forecasts, which are predictions made by financial analysts regarding a company's future financial performance. ### What is 'consensus estimate' as provided by First Call? - [ ] A single analyst's prediction. - [ ] A governmental forecast. - [x] The average of various analysts' earnings estimates. - [ ] Historical earnings data. > **Explanation:** A consensus estimate is the average of various analysts' earnings estimates for a given company. ### Which group specifically benefits from staying informed about market expectations via First Call? - [ ] General public - [ ] Retail store managers - [x] Corporate executives - [ ] Logistics managers > **Explanation:** Corporate executives benefit by staying informed about market expectations and analyst opinions regarding their company’s performance through First Call. ### Does First Call provide financial news? - [x] Yes - [ ] No - [ ] Only through third-party sources - [ ] Only as a supplement > **Explanation:** First Call does provide financial news along with earnings estimates and analyst forecasts. ### How has First Call improved its service over the years? - [x] By integrating more comprehensive data and analytics tools. - [ ] By decreasing the frequency of updates. - [ ] By reducing the number of analyst forecasts. - [ ] By focusing solely on historical data. > **Explanation:** First Call has enhanced its services by integrating more comprehensive data and analytics tools to provide real-time insights and increase precision in financial analysis. ### Is First Call exclusively available to institutional investors? - [ ] Yes - [ ] No - [x] Primarily, but accessible through some financial service providers for individual investors - [ ] Only for top-tier financial firms > **Explanation:** While primarily designed for institutional investors, some aspects of First Call data may be accessible through financial service providers that cater to individual investors. ### What does First Call's consensus estimate help analysts achieve? - [ ] Lower taxes - [ ] Increase company salaries - [x] Refine their earnings models - [ ] Launch new financial products > **Explanation:** Analysts use the consensus estimate to compare their calculations with collective predictions by other professionals, which helps in refining their earnings models. ### Which of the following is a key feature of First Call? - [ ] Real estate listings - [ ] Consumer product reviews - [x] Timely and precise earnings estimates - [ ] Social media trends > **Explanation:** A key feature of First Call is providing timely and precise earnings estimates, crucial for making informed financial decisions.

Thank you for immersing yourself in the detailed concepts provided in this comprehensive analysis of First Call and challenging yourself with our designed sample exam quiz questions. Excel in your journey through financial services!


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