How to Cite Bloomberg in APA Format

Complete guide to citing Bloomberg in APA 7th edition with examples, unique formatting requirements, and common issues specific to this source.

Bloomberg presents unique citation challenges that require specific guidance beyond general source type rules. This page provides targeted help for finding citation information, handling Bloomberg's particular format requirements, and avoiding common mistakes specific to this platform.

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Quick Reference: Bloomberg Citations

Reference List Format:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of webpage. Site Name. https://www.example.com/page

Bloomberg-Specific Notes:
Citing Bloomberg can be unique due to its status as a financial data provider, often necessitating a different approach compared to citing traditional sources with individual or organizational authors. In APA 7th edition, when citing Bloomberg, it’s important to note that Bloomberg Terminal data, which is commonly used, may not have a specific author or a clear publication date like typical articles or books. Instead, the citation should reflect the specific type of data accessed, such as financial reports, stock information, or news articles, and should include the platform's name, i.e., Bloomberg Terminal.

A common deviation from standard citation rules is the absence of a standard author or date, which can confuse many students. Instead of an author, the name Bloomberg is used, and if no specific date is available, "n.d." (no date) can be used. The citation should also include a retrieval date, given the dynamic nature of financial data, which changes frequently. For instance, a citation might look like this: Bloomberg. (n.d.). [Description of data]. Bloomberg Terminal. Retrieved January 10, 2023, from [URL].

Best practices for citing Bloomberg include clearly identifying the type of data you are referencing and ensuring that you provide enough detail for others to locate the same data. Always remember to specify the platform (Bloomberg Terminal) in your citation, as this is crucial for distinguishing between the various services Bloomberg offers. Students should also be mindful of their institution’s specific guidelines, as some might have tailored requirements for financial data citations. To avoid common mistakes, double-check the availability of a URL or database-specific identifier and ensure that retrieval dates are current and accurate.

In-Text Citation:
- Parenthetical: ([Author], [Year])
- Narrative: [Author] ([Year])

Key Points:
- Use Webpage format with Bloomberg specifics
- Locate citation info on Bloomberg's website
- Handle Bloomberg's unique formatting requirements

Last Updated: 2025-10-30 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

Jump to Examples | Jump to Common Issues | Check Your Citation

Where to Find Citation Information on Bloomberg

When using Bloomberg's website for academic research, it is crucial to accurately locate and cite information. Bloomberg, known for its financial news and data, provides articles that are valuable for research in finance, economics, and related fields. Here's a detailed guide on finding citation information on Bloomberg's website:

  1. Title of the Article:
    - The title is prominently displayed at the top of the webpage. It is usually in large, bold text, making it the most visible part of the article. This is the first piece of information you should note when preparing your citation.

  2. Author Byline:
    - Directly beneath the article title, look for the author byline. Bloomberg typically lists the author’s name in smaller text right below the title. If the article is written by multiple authors, they will be listed in sequence. In some instances, there might be no specific author listed, especially for brief news updates or summaries.

  3. Publication Date:
    - The publication date is located just under the author byline. It includes the day, month, and year when the article was published. This information is crucial for your citation as it helps establish the timeliness of the information.

  4. URL/Access Information:
    - The URL can be found in the address bar of your web browser. Bloomberg articles typically have straightforward URLs that include the word "news" followed by the article's specific path. Copy the full URL from the browser’s address bar to ensure you have the correct link for your citation.

  5. Additional Tips:
    - Bloomberg’s layout is clean and consistent, which helps in quickly locating these elements. However, be aware that some content might be behind a paywall, requiring a subscription for full access. If you encounter a paywall, check if your institution provides access through its library services.
    - For multimedia content like videos or infographics, Bloomberg may not provide traditional authorship and dates as clearly as text articles. In such cases, note the main topic and use available metadata for citation.

By following these steps, you can effectively gather all necessary citation components from Bloomberg for your academic work. Remember, accurate citation not only gives credit to the original authors but also strengthens the credibility of your own research.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your Bloomberg Citation

What You Need

Before you begin creating a Bloomberg citation in APA style, ensure you have the following:

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Identify the Article or Webpage

Action: Navigate to the Bloomberg website and locate the specific article or webpage you wish to cite.

Verification: Ensure you are on the correct page by checking the article title and publication date.

Time Estimate: Approximately 5 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use the search function on the Bloomberg site to quickly find the article by entering keywords or the article title.

Step 2: Gather Author Information

Action: Look for the author's name on the webpage. This is typically located at the top or bottom of the article.

Verification: Confirm that you have the full name of the author, including their first initial, middle initial (if applicable), and last name.

Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: If there are multiple authors, note them all. If only one author is listed, you can proceed with that name.

Step 3: Note the Publication Date

Action: Find the publication date of the article. This information is usually displayed near the author's name or at the top of the article.

Verification: Ensure you write down the date in the correct format: Year, Month Day.

Time Estimate: 2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Make a habit of checking the publication date, as it can sometimes be found at the bottom of the webpage.

Step 4: Identify the Title of the Article

Action: Locate the title of the article. This is usually prominently displayed at the top of the page.

Verification: Make sure to write down the title exactly as it appears, including capitalization and punctuation.

Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: If the title is long, consider copying and pasting it directly into your citation document to avoid typos.

Step 5: Determine the Website Name

Action: Note that the website name for Bloomberg is simply "Bloomberg."

Verification: Confirm that you have the correct site name to include in your citation.

Time Estimate: 1 minute.

Tip for Efficiency: Remember that the website name is not italicized in APA citations.

Step 6: Gather the URL of the Article

Action: Copy the URL of the article from the address bar of your web browser.

Verification: Paste the URL into a document to ensure it is complete and correct.

Time Estimate: 1 minute.

Tip for Efficiency: To avoid long URLs, shorten them using a URL shortener if needed, but ensure that the link still directs to the correct page.

Step 7: Format the Citation

Action: Now that you have all the necessary information, format it according to the APA style template provided:

Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of webpage. Site Name. https://www.example.com/page

Verification: Double-check each component of your citation to ensure accuracy.

Time Estimate: 5 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use a citation generator tool for faster formatting, but always verify it against the APA guidelines.

Step 8: Review and Finalize

Action: Review your complete citation for typos, inaccuracies, or formatting errors.

Verification: Ensure it adheres to the APA style, as outlined in the previous steps.

Time Estimate: 3-5 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Read your citation aloud or use a checklist to ensure accuracy before finalizing it.

Example Citation

Here is an example citation to illustrate the completed process:

Smith, J. D. (2023, October 12). Understanding the global market trends. Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/market-trends

By following these steps, you will be able to create a proper APA citation for any article or webpage from Bloomberg. This structured approach not only aids in citation accuracy but also enhances your overall writing skills.

Real Examples from Bloomberg

This section provides authentic citation examples from Bloomberg using recent publications from 2023-2024.

I'm unable to access real-time content from specific websites like Bloomberg. However, I can guide you on how to format APA citations using hypothetical examples based on the type of content you might find on Bloomberg. Here’s how you can do it:

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description:
An article written by a single journalist on Bloomberg discussing the latest trends in renewable energy investments in 2023.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Smith, J. (2023, September 10). Renewable energy investments surge in 2023. Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/article-12345

In-text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Smith, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative):
Smith (2023) discusses the surge in renewable energy investments.

Notes:
This example is noteworthy because it represents a typical news article authored by a single journalist, showcasing how individual authorship is presented in APA format.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description:
A report published by Bloomberg Intelligence on the economic outlook for 2024.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Bloomberg Intelligence. (2023, October 5). Economic outlook for 2024: Challenges and opportunities. Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/report-67890

In-text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Bloomberg Intelligence, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative):
Bloomberg Intelligence (2023) provides insights into the economic outlook for 2024.

Notes:
This example illustrates how to cite content where the author is a corporate entity, rather than an individual, which is common for reports and white papers.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description:
An article co-authored by two Bloomberg journalists examining the impact of inflation on global markets.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Doe, J., & Lee, A. (2023, August 15). Inflation's impact on global markets. Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/article-23456

In-text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Doe & Lee, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative):
Doe and Lee (2023) explore the impact of inflation on global markets.

Notes:
This example is useful for demonstrating how to format citations for works with two authors, which is a common occurrence in journalistic pieces.

Example 4: Special Formatting Case

Scenario Description:
A special feature article on Bloomberg’s website with no listed author, discussing advancements in AI technology.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Bloomberg. (2023, October 20). Advancements in AI technology: A comprehensive overview. Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/article-34567

In-text Citation (Parenthetical):
("Advancements in AI Technology," 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative):
The article "Advancements in AI Technology" (2023) provides a comprehensive overview of recent technological advancements.

Notes:
This example is noteworthy for demonstrating how to handle citations for articles with no listed author, where the title of the article moves to the author position in the citation.

These examples are hypothetical and formatted based on APA 7th edition guidelines, providing a variety of citation structures you might encounter with Bloomberg content.

Common Issues When Citing Bloomberg

Issue 1: Identifying Authors

Description of the Issue

When citing Bloomberg sources, students often struggle to identify the correct authors. Bloomberg articles may be attributed to individuals, "Bloomberg News," or sometimes provide no specific author name at all.

Why It Happens

Bloomberg has a diverse range of content, from news articles to market data, which can be created by individual journalists or editorial teams. The platform sometimes lists "Bloomberg News" as the author for collaborative pieces or data-driven content, which can be confusing when trying to apply APA citation rules.

Solution

  1. Check the Byline: First, look at the article byline. If an individual journalist is listed, use their name as the author.
  2. Use "Bloomberg News": If the byline reads "Bloomberg News," use this as the author.
  3. No Author Listed: If there’s no byline, use the title of the article in place of the author in your citation.

Before: Author unknown, resulting in incomplete citation.
After: Use of the correct byline or "Bloomberg News" ensures a complete citation.

Issue 2: Date Formats

Description of the Issue

Students often face confusion about how to format dates for Bloomberg articles, especially when only partial dates are given.

Why It Happens

Bloomberg content may display only the month and year or even just the year, especially for older reports or market data summaries. APA requires as complete a date as possible, which can be challenging.

Solution

  1. Use Complete Dates When Available: If the article includes a full date, use it in the format (Year, Month Day).
  2. Partial Dates: If only the month and year are available, format it as (Year, Month).
  3. Year Only: If only the year is available, use (Year).

Before: Inconsistent date formats leading to incomplete or incorrect citations.
After: Consistent, APA-compliant date formatting.

Issue 3: URL Handling

Description of the Issue

In citations, students often question how to handle Bloomberg URLs, especially if articles have paywalls or dynamic parameters.

Why It Happens

Bloomberg URLs can be complex and may include tracking information or session identifiers. Additionally, some content is behind a paywall, complicating direct access.

Solution

  1. Clean the URL: Use the basic URL structure without tracking parameters. This generally follows the format: https://www.bloomberg.com/article-title.
  2. Access Note: If the content is behind a paywall, include a note in the citation indicating "Retrieved from Bloomberg with subscription access."

Before: Long, complicated URLs in citations.
After: Clean URLs with access notes for clarity.

Issue 4: Access Requirements

Description of the Issue

Students often wonder how to address access requirements in their citations, especially if the source is not freely accessible.

Why It Happens

Bloomberg often requires a subscription for full access to its content, which impacts how students should present their citations to readers who may not have similar access.

Solution

  1. Indicate Subscription Access: In your citation, make it clear that a subscription is required to access the full content.
  2. Library Access: If accessed through a library portal, note this in the citation with "Accessed via [Library Name] subscription."

Before: Missing or unclear access information.
After: Clear indication of access requirements, aiding reader understanding.

Conclusion

Citing Bloomberg can present unique challenges due to its specific content presentation and access issues. By understanding and addressing these common problems—author identification, date formatting, URL handling, and access requirements—students can ensure their citations are accurate and compliant with APA guidelines. This attention to detail not only upholds academic integrity but also aids readers in locating and verifying sources effectively.

Note: For general Webpage citation errors, see How to Cite Webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bloomberg

Q: How do I find citation information on Bloomberg's website for proper APA referencing?

A: Bloomberg's articles often include the author’s name and publication date at the beginning or end of the article. If this information is missing, check the article's metadata by right-clicking on the webpage and selecting "View Page Source," or contact Bloomberg support for help.

Q: How should I handle Bloomberg articles with multiple authors in APA format?

A: Bloomberg articles often feature multiple contributors. List up to 20 authors by their last name and first initials, separated by commas. Use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name. If there are more than 20 authors, list the first 19, insert an ellipsis, and then add the final author's name.

Q: How can I accurately cite the publication date of a Bloomberg article in APA format?

A: Look for the publication date at the top or bottom of the article. If only a year is available, use that in your citation. If a specific date is provided, include the year, month, and day in parentheses right after the author’s name(s).

Q: What are the URL and access requirements for citing Bloomberg articles in APA format?

A: Use the full, direct URL of the article as the retrieval information in your reference. There is no need to include a retrieval date unless the content is likely to change over time, such as a live news feed. Ensure you have access rights, as some Bloomberg content requires a subscription.

Q: How does citing Bloomberg differ from citing other webpage sources in APA format?

A: Bloomberg citations often need more attention to detail due to its unique author formats and possible subscription requirements. Unlike other webpages, Bloomberg articles may not always clearly list authors or dates, so you might need to dig deeper into the website or metadata for accurate citation information.

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