Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of common questions from users. For any additional questions, please email llmreadyapi@kensho.com.
Solution Overview
What makes the API LLM-ready?
The Kensho LLM-Ready API is specifically designed for seamless interaction with large language models (LLMs). Unlike typical APIs, it is optimized for LLMs by offering a simplified structure that supports function calling patterns. Kensho provides a Python library (kFinance) that streamlines everything from authentication to LLM integrations shown in the Playground Notebooks (opens in a new tab), making it easy for users to start implementing their LLM solutions. The API is compatible with user-built clients or direct LLM function calls.
Does S&P Global provide an LLM as part of the solution? / What Large Language Model is included in the LLM-ready API service?
There are no AI models used or provided by Kensho and S&P Global as part of the LLM-ready API service. This service is a data retrieval tool purpose-built to work seamlessly with LLMs, but it uses no models itself. Any use of AI models occurs on the customer side, and customers are welcome to use the model of their choosing or no model at all.
General Information
What is the purpose of this API? What can I do with it?
The LLM-ready API serves as a simplified access method for S&P Global datasets. The LLM-ready API is purpose-built in such a way that both humans and LLMs can easily understand it.
Secondly, we created a Python library called "kFinance" that supports function calling. Included in the library are the tools needed by an LLM to successfully retrieve data. Customers making use of this solution will be required to “bring their own” LLM(s), orchestration layer, and user interface (UI); or leverage third-party platforms.
This LLM-ready API is intended to help end users such as investment bankers, equity analysts, consultants, and other professionals who frequently need to retrieve financial data such as financial statement line items, security identifiers, and market data to create pitch books, research reports, or market positioning presentations.
What’s the difference between the Kensho LLM-ready API and kFinance?
The Kensho LLM-ready API consists of a REST API and a Python client. The Kensho LLM-ready API is considered a distribution channel in context of the S&P Global product nomenclature and is the display name for the tile on S&P Global Marketplace.
kFinance is the name for the Python client included as part of the Kensho LLM-ready API product. The kFinance name is the name of the Python client shown on Python Package Index (opens in a new tab) and referenced in the Kensho LLM-ready API developer documentation.
Where can I find the latest updates and announcements?
All product updates will be documented in our public repository releases (opens in a new tab).
Technical Details
What large language models does the LLM-ready API support?
We have designed the API to support a variety of leading models from vendors such as OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and more, but it is compatible with any LLM.
Do I need to use an LLM?
The LLM-ready API and its Python library (kensho_finance.kfinance) can be used with or without an LLM. Although these tools are designed with LLMs in mind, the API and Python library are straightforward and are useful on their own.
Does Kensho have visibility into my prompts or LLM application?
No. The LLM-ready API is a data retrieval tool designed to be deployed in your own LLM applications or third party applications. Kensho and S&P Global have no way to track users' prompts or other MNPI.
Which languages are supported?
Since the LLM Ready API leverages the intelligence of Large Language Models (LLMs), you can use any language that the LLM you choose supports. Leading models such as OpenAI's GPT will perform well for all major written languages, programming and otherwise.
Data & Accuracy
What data is available via LLM-ready API?
The API includes data from S&P Capital IQ Financials, Compustat® Financials, Key Developments, Market Data, and Global Instruments Cross Reference Service (GICRS). With future releases, additional S&P Global datasets like Transactions, Professionals, Ownerships, and more will be made LLM-ready.
How do I know if the LLM returned the correct data?
For LLM integrations, accuracy depends on the specific model and architecture used. The API itself is deterministic, meaning it returns consistent results, but users can view and audit the Python code generated by the LLM. This allows you to see which steps were taken to retrieve the correct answer directly from the S&P Global database.
Are there noteworthy details about how the data is formatted?
Intraday market prices are unavailable (previous day or earlier). Financial items are organized around calendar years. Financial items use their reported currencies.
How do I get other datasets LLM-ready?
Optimizing data for LLMs is a major focus of Kensho and S&P Global. We currently cannot publicly share all of what we are doing, but encourage you to reach out to us at llmreadyapi@kensho.com to learn more. We would be very keen to learn more about your problems and explore further collaboration.
How often is the data included in the LLM-ready API service updated?
The LLM-ready API serves as a distribution channel for S&P Global Data feeds and therefore report update frequency varies depending on when underlying datasets are updated; this could be daily, weekly, and monthly. For more information on the timeliness of individual S&P Global datasets, please refer to S&P Global Marketplace’s (opens in a new tab) tiles and support guides.
How do I get access?
To get started with a free trial or explore purchasing, contact us at market.intelligence@spglobal.com.