Open source fundamental industry classification

Abstract

We provide complete source code for building a fundamental industry classification based on publicly available and freely downloadable data. We compare various fundamental industry classifications by running a horserace of short-horizon trading signals (alphas) utilizing open source heterotic risk models (https://ssrn.com/abstract=2600798) built using such industry classifications. Our source code includes various stand-alone and portable modules, e.g., for downloading/parsing web data, etc.