This document provides instructions for finding information on initial public offerings (IPOs) using the Reuters 3000 Xtra database. It begins with some preliminary points and definitions of IPOs. It then outlines the step-by-step process for logging into Reuters from the UCT Libraries and navigating to the IPO information. This includes searching by company or country, filtering by date range and offering type. Details are provided on individual IPOs. The document notes the limitations on South African IPO data and provides instructions for saving information by taking screenshots.

1. Finding IPO’s on Reuters
Created by Lara Skelly, for UCT Libraries
Last updated: July 2010

2. Before we begin...some preliminary
points
• Reuters 3000 Xtra is a powerful database that
provides financial data.
• At UCT Libraries, Reuters is available on a single
stand-alone PC in the Commerce Library.
• The method of finding IPOs that is explained in
this presentation is a little complicated. If anyone
finds an easier method, please mail
Lara.Skelly@uct.ac.za.
• All comments and criticisms welcome too.

3. Definition of IPO
• IPO stands for Initial Public Offering.
• The US term for it is flotation.
• IPO is defined as “The process of launching a
public company for the first time by inviting
the public to subscribe in its shares (also
known as ‘going public’)”.*
(Smullen, J. & Hand, N. (eds.). 2005. Flotation. In Oxford Dictionary of Finance and Banking.
*
Oxford: Oxford University Press.)

4. Logging into Reuters: Open up Internet
Explorer. This page will appear.

5. Logging into Reuters at UCT: In the User name
box, type a lowercase ‘L’. The user name
library1@uct.ac.za will appear. Select it.

6. Logging into Reuters at UCT: The
password will autofill. Click on Login.

7. Logging into Reuters at UCT: This page will
appear. Click on the 3000 Xtra 501 icon.

8. Logging into Reuters at UCT: Reuters will start
loading. After a while this dialogue box will appear.
Click on ‘Ok’. Reuters will then continue loading.

9. Reuters Home Page: This page will
open. It is the Reuters Home Page.

10. Reuters Home Page: Click on File and
select New.

11. This window will open.

12. Double click anywhere on the white space
to access the menu. Select Quote.

13. Type in any RIC (Reuters Instrument Code).
The one used below is the RIC for MTN:
MTNJ.J.

14. Right click anywhere on the Quote screen
to access the next menu. Select Related
Company Data.

15. The Company Views for MTN will appear.
Click on Equity near the top right corner.

16. The Equity Offerings page will open.
Select Market Equity Offerings.

17. Next, select the country. South Africa
is used as an example below.

18. The Market Equity Offerings for the selected
country will appear. Change the date range if
necessary.

19. Select Initial Public Offering from the
Offer Type dropdown menu.

20. Once all the necessary refinements have been entered, click
Update View. The screen will then show all the offerings in
according to your selection. Click on the Detail link for more
detail on a particular offering.

21. This is what the detail page looks like.

22. Note
• For South Africa, the IPO information dates
back only as far as the beginning of 2002.

23. Saving on Reuters at UCT
• As Reuters works on its own software system,
saving is more complicated than simply clicking
File and Save as.
• To save IPO information, a screen shot should be
taken by pressing the print screen key on the
keyboard (usually reads PrtScn). This creates an
image of whatever is currently appearing on the
screen.
• This image can then be pasted into Paint or
Word.
• From there, one can save as normal.

24. Need more help? Ask a librarian. Email
Lara.Skelly@uct.ac.za or Lib-
comref@uct.ac.za.
Picture by Carlos Porto (Flickr)