Post on 29-Dec-2015
Intro to Company & Industry Research
Shana Gass, MSLSsgass@towson.eduReference LibrarianCook LibraryTowson University
September 2009
Why Company & Industry Research?
• What would you want to know?
• Which sources would you
consult to find out?
LexisNexis Academic Company Dossier
• Smorgasbord of company information• Background, business description,
competitors, financials, news, law cases, patents!!
• Custom reportCook Library Database
Also in Lexis Nexis: Hoover’s In-Depth Company Profiles• Public & private, US & International
• Financials, personnel, subsidiaries
• History & Recent happenings
• Updated frequently
In LexisNexis Academic, Cook Library Database
Company Web Site: Annual Report• Means of communicating with shareholders
• Annual 10-K req’d by SEC & includes detailed financials
• Where to find Annual Reports:• Company web site: Investor Relations• LexisNexis Academic > Business
• Key section: Letter to Shareholders, Management’s Discussion & Analysis
• Learn about:• Biz details, Strategy, Competition• Financials• Lawsuits, shareholder action• How company wants to present itself
Company Web Site:Annual Report• Communication w/shareholders
• SEC official filing: Annual 10-K includes additional financials, fewer glitzy graphics
• Key sections of AR: Letter to Shareholders, Management’s Discussion & Analysis* (*this also in 10-K)
• Learn about:• Biz details, Strategy, Competition, Risks• Financials• Lawsuits, shareholder action
Look for link to Investors
Industry Associations• Represent the industry – members are
companies• Can be regional, national, international• Goldmine of info: news, statistics, advocacy• Strategy: Identify a relevant industry association
and mine its web site• Tips: try a directory (ex: Gateway to Associations) or a
Google Search: [industry name] association OR organization
• NB: They also publish trade publications & are quoted as authorities in newspaper articles
ValueLine
• Industry & Company Information
• Investment perspective
• Financials & Stock performance
• Analysis
• Ranking of companies & industries Timeliness =
how well VL analyst thinks stock will perform in next 6-12 mos. 1 is the best
Safety = VL’s measure of volatility1 is the least volatile
Cook Library Database
Datamonitor SWOTs & Industry Profiles
• In Business Source Complete• Steps:
Do a simple search for company or industry
• Under narrow by source…click on …SWOT Analyses…Industry Profiles
• Datamonitor reports embargoed for academic market – may be a bit old
In Cook Library Database
Standard & Poor’s NetAdvantage – Industry Surveys• Environment
• Trends
• How the industry operates
• How to analyze the industry
• Financials for leading companies
• Sources of Industry info
Industry publications
Trade organizations
Cook Library Database
Questions?
…feel free to contact me!
Shana Gass (410) 704-2395 sgass@towson.edu *preferred
Or any reference librarian:
Cook Library Web Site > Ask a Librarian for options