Profile
Bloomberg provides financial data, analytics, news, and trading technology to investment professionals worldwide, primarily through its Bloomberg Terminal subscription service.
Bloomberg L.P. is a privately held financial software, data, and media company headquartered in New York City, founded in 1981 by Michael Bloomberg, Thomas Secunda, Duncan MacMillan, and Charles Zegar. As of 2024, the company reported $15 billion in revenue, employs approximately 26,000 people across 176 offices globally, and is 88% owned by Michael Bloomberg. The vast majority of its profits fund Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Bloomberg's core product is the Bloomberg Terminal, a subscription-based platform providing real-time market data, news, analytics, and trading execution to over 350,000 financial professionals. The company also offers enterprise data feeds, regulatory reporting solutions, risk analytics, and indices through Bloomberg Index Services. Its media division includes Bloomberg News, Bloomberg Television, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Bloomberg.com.
In 2024, the company generated $15 billion in revenue, a figure that has grown steadily from $10 billion in 2018. Bloomberg has not disclosed recent funding rounds as it remains privately held and self-funded. The company faces increasing competition from rivals like Refinitiv (now part of LSEG), FactSet, and S&P Global, and is investing heavily in artificial intelligence and machine learning to maintain its edge.
In 2025, Bloomberg launched new AI-powered tools for its Terminal and enterprise data products, including natural language querying and automated surveillance features. The company has also expanded its presence in sustainable finance and ESG data. No major layoffs or leadership changes have been publicly reported for Bloomberg itself in the past year, though the broader financial services industry has seen significant job cuts driven by AI adoption.
Who buys this
- Investment banks and broker-dealers
- Asset managers and hedge funds
- Corporations (treasury, investor relations, and finance teams)
- Central banks and government agencies
- Research and analytics firms
Strengths and what to watch
Strengths
- Dominant market position with over 350,000 Terminal subscribers, creating a high switching cost for clients.
- Vertically integrated data, news, and analytics platform that provides a comprehensive workflow for financial professionals.
- Strong financial performance with $15 billion in revenue in 2024, enabling sustained investment in product development and AI.
Watch for
- Increasing competition from Refinitiv (LSEG), FactSet, and S&P Global, which are investing in AI and cloud-based alternatives.
- Potential regulatory scrutiny over data pricing and market access, as Bloomberg's Terminal is a critical infrastructure for global markets.
- Concentration risk: Michael Bloomberg owns 88% of the company, and succession planning remains a long-term question.
Recent moves
Key Information
- Industry
- Financial & Market Data
- Founded
- 1981
- Employees
- 26000
- Headquarters
- New York City
- Country
- United States
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bloomberg L.P. and what does the company do?
Bloomberg L.P. is a privately held financial software, data, and media company founded in 1981. It provides financial data, analytics, news, and trading technology to investment professionals worldwide, primarily through its Bloomberg Terminal subscription service.
How much revenue does Bloomberg generate and how many employees does it have?
Bloomberg reported $15 billion in revenue in 2024, growing from $10 billion in 2018. The company employs approximately 26,000 people across 176 offices globally and is 88% owned by Michael Bloomberg.
What is the Bloomberg Terminal and who uses it?
The Bloomberg Terminal is a subscription-based platform providing real-time market data, news, analytics, and trading execution. It is used by over 350,000 financial professionals, including investment banks, asset managers, hedge funds, and central banks.
Who are Bloomberg's main competitors in financial data and analytics?
Bloomberg faces increasing competition from Refinitiv (now part of LSEG), FactSet, and S&P Global. These rivals are investing in AI and cloud-based alternatives to challenge Bloomberg's dominant market position.
What recent AI developments has Bloomberg announced?
In 2025, Bloomberg launched new AI-powered tools for its Terminal and enterprise data products, including natural language querying and automated surveillance features. The company is investing heavily in artificial intelligence and machine learning to maintain its edge.
How does Bloomberg's ownership structure affect its profits?
Michael Bloomberg owns 88% of Bloomberg L.P. The vast majority of the company's profits fund Bloomberg Philanthropies, his charitable foundation. This structure keeps the company privately held and self-funded without disclosed funding rounds.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org — Company overview, founders, revenue ($15 billion in 2024), employee count (26,000), ownership (88% by Michael Bloomberg), and number of offices (176).
- www.bloomberg.org — Bloomberg Philanthropies annual report confirming that the majority of Bloomberg L.P. profits fund the foundation.
- www.bloomberg.com — Bloomberg's professional insights and reports on AI, market surveillance, and regulatory reporting.
- professional.bloomberg.com — Description of Bloomberg Terminal features for investor relations, including peer benchmarking and analyst insights.