How Variables Are Created
This article explains how Model Reef turns imported ticker fundamentals into variables, so that you immediately have a working three statement model for a listed company.
You will learn:
How a dedicated branch is created for the ticker.
How variables are auto generated from the imported series.
How those variables are named, typed and categorised.
How to build on top of them with forecasts and scenarios.
Creating the company branch
When you import fundamentals for a ticker into a model, Model Reef:
Creates a branch for the company if one does not exist.
Names it based on the company and ticker, for example
Apple Inc (AAPL).Uses this branch as the container for all variables representing that company.
If you already have a branch for the company, you can map the import to that existing branch instead of creating a new one.
Auto generating variables from fundamentals
For each imported series, Model Reef auto generates a variable in the company branch. For example:
Revenue series -> Revenue variable.
Direct costs series -> COGS variable.
Operating expense series -> Opex variables.
Asset and liability series -> Asset and Liability variables.
Cashflow components -> variables that drive operating, investing and financing cashflows.
Each variable is linked to the underlying Data Library series that holds the historical values.
This means you have a ready made variable set that matches the imported statements with no manual construction.
How variable settings are chosen
For each auto-created variable, Model Reef sets:
Name
Derived from the original line description, cleaned for readability.
You can rename any variable without breaking its history.
Variable type
Chosen based on the nature of the line: Revenue, COGS, Opex, Staff, Asset, Liability, Equity, Tax, Dividend.
Controls how the variable impacts P&L, Balance Sheet and Cashflow.
Category and subcategory
Assigned to sensible defaults that mirror standard financial statements.
Can be refined to match your internal reporting structure.
Branch
Set to the company branch created for this ticker.
Units and frequency
Based on the imported data (for example annual currency values).
Aligned with the model's base granularity at runtime.
Immediate outputs after variable creation
As soon as variables are created, Model Reef can:
Render historical P&L using the revenue and expense variables.
Render a historical Balance Sheet using asset, liability and equity variables.
Render a historical Cashflow Statement and Cashflow Waterfall using the cashflow related variables.
Show historical dashboards and charts for revenue, margins, cash and other KPIs.
No extra setup is required to see the historical picture.
Building forecasts on top of ticker variables
Once variables exist, you can:
Add forecast drivers (growth, margins, operating metrics) for forward periods.
Use preset formulas such as recurring, scheduled or ML based trends.
Adjust timing settings for how accruals translate into cash.
Create scenarios by duplicating the model and changing forward assumptions.
The imported fundamentals give you the history and structure. Your modelling work focuses on the future.
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