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Accessing WRDS (Wharton Research Data Services)

Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) is an internet-based business data research service from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. It provides access to a wide array of historical financial, accounting, banking, economics, management, marketing, and public policy databases through a uniform web interface. This page outlines how NYU Stern users can access WRDS resources.

Overview of WRDS

WRDS hosts data from various providers, offering a centralized platform for researchers. Datasets available through WRDS include, but are not limited to:

  • Bank Regulatory (formerly FDIC)
  • Capital IQ Datafeeds (Capital Structure, Key Developments, People Intelligence)
  • Compustat (North America, Global)
  • CRSP (Stock Market and Security Data, Treasuries, Mutual Funds)
  • Datastream (Equities, Economics, Commodities, Futures)
  • DealScan (Loan Market Data)
  • Dow Jones Averages
  • Federal Reserve Bank Reports (Foreign Exchange, Interest Rates)
  • I/B/E/S (Earnings Estimates)
  • IRI (Marketing Data)
  • ISS (Governance Data)
  • Mergent-FISD (Fixed Income Securities)
  • NASTRAQ (Legacy NASDAQ Trades and Quotes)
  • NYSE TAQ (Trades and Quotes)
  • SEC Order Execution Data
  • Thompson/Refinitiv datasets (Insiders Data, 13f Holdings, Lipper Hedge Fund, Mutual Funds Holdings, Refinitiv ESG, Worldscope)
  • WorldScope Fundamentals

WRDS access is primarily intended for academic research and instructional purposes.

How to Access WRDS

There are two main ways to access WRDS:

Access Without an Account

You can access the WRDS website without a personal account using WRDS Connect public workstations available at Bobst Library. This provides access to the web query interface but lacks features like personal workspace or server access.

Some datasets might also be accessible via Stern wireless networks without an account, but this is often limited compared to account access.

Access With an Account

Users with an approved WRDS account can log in directly via the Wharton Research Database Services website.

Account holders (Faculty, PhD, Research Assistant) benefit from:

  • Personal and shared workspace on the WRDS server.
  • Saved query history.
  • Secure SSH access to the WRDS Linux server (wrds.wharton.upenn.edu) for accessing data directly (e.g., SAS datasets, sequential data) and running programs (SAS, FORTRAN, C supported).

Requesting a WRDS Account

NYU faculty, administrators, staff, and students are eligible to apply for a WRDS account.

  • Faculty, PhD Students, Staff: Can apply for standard accounts.
  • Non-PhD Students: May request a Research Assistant (RA) account for a limited time if working with a faculty member on research.
  • Class Accounts: Faculty can request accounts for their classes, allowing students off-campus access for coursework.

Steps to Request an Account:

  1. Navigate to the Wharton Research Database Services website.
  2. Click the Register button located at the top of the login page.
  3. Carefully complete the registration form.
  4. Read and agree to the WRDS Terms of Use Statement.
  5. Submit the completed form.
  6. Your application will be sent to the designated NYU WRDS Representative for review.
  7. The NYU Representative will verify your affiliation with NYU.
  8. Once approved, WRDS will send you an email with instructions on how to set your account password.

Getting Help

  • NYU-Specific Questions: For general questions about WRDS access at NYU, suggestions, or comments, please contact the SCRC team at research@stern.nyu.edu.
  • WRDS Platform/Data Issues: For specific problems, questions, or suggestions regarding WRDS database access, data querying, or programming on the WRDS server:
    • Log in to the WRDS website.
    • Click the Contact or Support button (usually found at the top or bottom of the page).
    • Complete and submit the support request form directly to the WRDS team.