Security analyst estimates performance viewing system and method

• US 7,167,838 B1
• Filed: 03/13/2000
• Issued: 01/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Refinitiv US Organization, LLC (Refinitiv US Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: StarMine Corp. (The Woodbridge Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Gatto, Joseph G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Subramanian; Narayanswamy
• Application Number:
  US09/524,253
• Time in Patent Office: 2,507 Days
• Field of Search: 705 35- 36 R
• US Class Current: 705/36.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/06 Asset management; Financial planning or analysis

Abstract

A system and method for measuring, analyzing, and tracking the past performance of security analysts'"'"' earnings estimates and recommendations. The present invention provides a database of historical data relating to security analyst earnings estimate predictions wherein a historical model enables users to view the historical data as a time series of earnings estimates for each analyst selected, for a selected period of time, for a predetermined earnings event. Users may define a model to automatically create enhanced composite estimates wherein an improved prediction of the quantity being estimated, such as company earnings, revenue or cash flow is obtained. Users may view performance screens and historical performance data for a particular contributor or various contributors for a given security. Other views may be available.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented system, including a user interface for use with a database of historical data relating to predictions from a plurality of sources relating to securities, the user interface comprising:

a historical view module for viewing the historical data;

wherein at least some of the plurality of sources comprise security analysts and the predictions comprise security analysts'"'"' earnings estimates, and wherein the historical view module displays simultaneously, for selected sources, a time series of earnings estimates for each selected source, for a predetermined period, for a predetermined earnings event, and the actual reported earnings for the predetermined earnings event; and

at least one graphical user interface object for selecting at least;

i) sources; and

ii) an earnings event.

2. The computer-implemented system of claim 1, wherein the time series for each selected source graphically depicts an initial estimate made by that source for the predetermined earnings event, any revisions to the initial estimate and when such revisions, if any, were made.

3. The computer-implemented system of claim 1, wherein an earnings event relates to a selected security, and wherein the display further comprises a time series display of the price of the selected security displayed in juxtaposition with the time series of earning estimates for the selected security.

4. The computer-implemented system of claim 1, wherein the historical view module comprises means for displaying historical data for a user-selected “

As of Date”

, and for simultaneously displaying summary estimate data as of the “

As of Date”

;

and means for graphically selecting the “

As of Date”

by dragging a vertical line to the date desired.

5. The computer-implemented system of claim 4, wherein the summary estimate data comprises data derived from a distribution of estimates.

6. The computer-implemented system of claim 5, wherein the summary estimate data comprises an enhanced composite estimate on an “

As Of Date.”

7. The computer-implemented system of claim 1, wherein a time discontinuity in a prediction is graphically displayed via an indicator.

8. The computer-implemented system of claim 7, wherein the indicator is a gray line.

9. A computer-implemented system including a user interface for use with a database of historical data relating to predictions from a plurality of sources relating to securities, the user interface comprising:

a historical view module for viewing the historical data;

wherein at least some of the plurality of sources comprise security analysts and the predictions comprise security analysts'"'"' earnings estimates, and wherein the historical view module displays simultaneously, for selected sources, a time series of earnings estimates for each selected source, for a predetermined period, for a predetermined earnings event; and

wherein the historical view module comprises selection means for selecting;

i) sources;

ii) a user specified period; and

iii) a user-specified earnings event; and

further comprising a display box for displaying a list of sources for which historical data is stored and an indicator of whether the source is selected for display, each source having a unique identifier associated with it, and wherein the unique identifier is associated with the time series display for that source.

10. The computer-implemented system of claim 9, wherein the time series for each selected source graphically depicts an initial estimate made by that source for the predetermined earnings event, any revisions to the initial estimate and when such revisions, if any, were made.

11. The computer-implemented system of claim 9, wherein an earnings event relates to a selected security, and wherein the display further comprises a time series display of the price of the selected security displayed in juxtaposition with the time series of earning estimates for the selected security.

12. A computer-implemented system, including a user interface for use with a database of historical data relating to predictions from a plurality of sources relating to securities, the user interface comprising:

a historical view module for viewing the historical data;

wherein at least some of the plurality of sources comprise security analysts and the predictions comprise security analysts'"'"' earnings estimates, and wherein the historical view module displays simultaneously, for selected sources, a time series of earnings estimates for each selected source, for a predetermined period, for a predetermined earnings event;

wherein the historical view module further comprises a display box for displaying a list of sources for which historical data is stored and an indicator of whether a source is selected for display, the sources comprising;

i) security analysts; and

ii) derived time series information including one or more of a high estimate, a low estimate, a mean estimate, and a predetermined number of standard deviations away from the mean estimate; and

at least one graphical user interface object for selecting at least;

i) sources; and

ii) earnings events.

13. The computer-implemented system of claim 12, wherein the time series for each selected source graphically depicts an initial estimate made by that source for the predetermined earnings event, any revisions to the initial estimate and when such revisions, if any, were made.

14. The computer-implemented system of claim 12, wherein an earnings event relates to a selected security, and wherein the display further comprises a time series display of the price of the selected security displayed in juxtaposition with the time series of earning estimates for the selected security.

15. A computer-implemented system, including a user interface for use with a database of historical data relating to predictions from a plurality of sources relating to securities, the user interface comprising:

a historical view module for viewing the historical data;

wherein at least some of the plurality of sources comprise security analysts and the predictions comprise security analysts'"'"' earnings estimates, and wherein the historical view module displays simultaneously, for selected sources, a time series of earnings estimates for each selected source, for a predetermined period, for a predetermined earnings event;

wherein the time series comprises a plurality of selectable nodes, data points or data markers, the selection of which causes a display of data associated with that node, data point or data marker, the data including one or more of the source and the value of the estimate corresponding to that node, data point or data marker; and

at least one graphical user interface object for selecting at least;

i) sources; and

ii) earnings events.

16. The computer-implemented system of claim 15, wherein the time series for each selected source graphically depicts an initial estimate made by that source for the predetermined earnings event, any revisions to the initial estimate and when such revisions, if any, were made.

17. The computer-implemented system of claim 15, wherein an earnings event relates to a selected security, and wherein the display further comprises a time series display of the price of the selected security displayed in juxtaposition with the time series of earning estimates for the selected security.

18. A computer-implemented system including a user interface for use with a database of historical data relating to predictions from a plurality of sources relating to securities, the user interface comprising:

a historical view module for viewing the historical data;

wherein at least some of the plurality of sources comprise security analysts and the predictions comprise security analysts'"'"' earnings estimates, and wherein the historical view module displays simultaneously, for selected sources, a time series of earnings estimates for each selected source, for a predetermined period, for a predetermined earnings event, wherein the time series for each source graphically depicts an initial estimate made by that source for the predetermined earnings event, any revisions to the initial estimate, and when such revisions, if any, were made; and

means for selecting sources for which estimates are to be displayed, including means to enable a user to individually select or deselect individual sources, and an option to select or deselect all sources.

19. The computer-implemented user interface of claim 18, wherein the means for selecting sources comprises a display box adjacent a time series display, for displaying a list of sources for which historical data is stored and an indicator of whether the source is selected for display.

20. The computer-implemented user interface of claim 18, further comprising means, responsive to selection of a source for highlighting a displayed time series line for the selected source.

21. The computer-implemented user interface of claim 18, further comprising a performance module means for displaying selected performance metrics for selected sources.

22. The computer-implemented system of claim 18, wherein an earnings event relates to a selected security, and wherein the display further comprises a time series display of the price of the selected security displayed in juxtaposition with the time series of earning estimates for the selected security.

23. A computer-implemented system, including a user interface for use with a database of historical data relating to predictions from a plurality of sources relating to securities, the user interface comprising:

a historical view module for viewing the historical data;

wherein at least some of the plurality of sources comprise security analysts and the predictions comprise security analysts'"'"' earnings estimates, and wherein the historical view module displays simultaneously, for selected sources, a time series of earnings estimates for each selected source, for a predetermined period, for a predetermined earnings event, wherein the time series for each source graphically depicts an initial estimate made by that source for the predetermined earnings event, any revisions to the initial estimate, and when such revisions, if any, were made;

means for displaying detail data on an analyst by analyst basis as of a selected date; and

at least one graphical user interface object for selecting at least;

i) a source; and

ii) an earnings event.

24. The computer-implemented system of claim 23, wherein an earnings event relates to a selected security, and wherein the display further comprises a time series display of the price of the selected security displayed in juxtaposition with the time series of earning estimates for the selected security.

25. A computer-implemented system, including a user interface for use with a database of historical data relating to predictions from a plurality of sources relating to securities, the user interface comprising:

a historical view module for viewing the historical data;

wherein at least some of the plurality of sources comprise security analysts and the predictions comprise security analysts'"'"' earnings estimates, and wherein the historical view module displays simultaneously, for selected sources, a time series of earnings estimates for each selected source, for a predetermined period, for a predetermined earnings event and the actual reported earnings for the predetermined earnings event, and a summary of data for an “

As Of Date”

; and

wherein the time series for each selected source graphically depicts an initial estimate for that source for the predetermined earnings event, any revisions to the initial estimate, and when such revisions, if any, were made; and

at least one graphical user interface object for selecting;

i) sources; and

ii) earnings events.

26. The computer-implemented system of claim 25, wherein an earnings event relates to a selected security, and wherein the display further comprises a time series display of the price of the selected security displayed in juxtaposition with the time series of earning estimates for the selected security.

27. A computer-implemented system, including a user interface for use with a database of historical data relating to predictions from a plurality of sources relating to securities, the user interface comprising:

a historical view module for viewing the historical data;

wherein at least some of the plurality of sources comprise security analysts and the predictions comprise security analysts'"'"' earnings estimates, and wherein the historical view module displays simultaneously, for selected sources, a time series of earnings estimates for each selected source, for a predetermined period, for a predetermined earnings event, wherein the time series for each selected source graphically depicts an initial estimate for that source for the predetermined earnings event, any revisions to the initial estimate and when such revisions, if any, were made;

wherein the historical view module comprises means for toggling between a time series estimate view and detailed data in a grid view; and

at least one graphical user interface object for selecting at least;

i) sources; and

ii) earnings events.

28. The computer-implemented user interface of claim 27, wherein the historical view module simultaneously displays summary information with the detailed data.

29. The computer-implemented user interface of claim 27, wherein the detailed data comprises analyst name, security identification, current estimate information, and previous estimate information.

30. The computer-implemented user interface of claim 27, wherein the detailed data comprises at least date of estimate, and age of estimate.

31. The computer-implemented user interface of claim 27, wherein the historical view module displays simultaneously in the grid view, historical analyst performance including historical accuracy, and how long an analyst has been following a security.

32. The computer-implemented user interface of claim 27, wherein the historical view module displays a price view of the security with the estimate view.

33. The computer-implemented user interface of claim 32, further comprising means for zooming or panning, wherein zooming or panning of the estimate view correspondingly zooms or pans the price view, and zooming or panning of the price view zooms or pans the estimate view.

34. A computer-implemented system, including a user interface for use with a database of historical data relating to predictions from a plurality of sources relating to securities, the user interface comprising:

a historical view module for viewing the historical data;

wherein at least some of the plurality of sources comprise security analysts and the predictions comprise security analysts'"'"' earnings estimates, and wherein the historical view module displays simultaneously, for selected sources, current earnings estimates for each selected source, for a predetermined period, for a predetermined earnings event and an indication of the historical accuracy of earnings estimates for each of the selected sources; and

at least one graphical user interface object for selecting at least;

i) sources; and

ii) earnings events.

35. The computer-implemented system of claim 34, wherein an earnings event relates to a selected security, and wherein the display further comprises a time series display of the price of the selected security displayed in juxtaposition with the time series of earning estimates for the selected security.