Annual Reports
Description of Annual Reports
Public companies will typically have their annual reports readily available since they are required to file financial reports to the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) [http://www.sec.gov]. Private companies, however, do not have this requirement. Therefore, they often do not have annual reports publicly accessible.
Internet Resources:
- Company's Web Site
Search Tip: 1. Look on the company homepage for a link to investor or financial information;
Search Tip: 2. Use the search feature, if available, on the company's website; or
Search Tip: 3. Search Google.com:
"annual report" and site:url for the company homepage
Business Rankings/ Market Share
Databases
Search Tip: Include, as a subject or keyword term, "market share" or ranking along with the industry descriptors; "company name" or ticker; or other features to be compared.
- Business Source Premier This link opens in a new windowFull text and indexing of scholarly business journals covering management, economics, finance, accounting, international business and related topics.
- Use Academic Search Premier and click on Choose Databases (above the search boxes) to search Business Source Premier along with other Ebsco Databases.
- ProQuest Central This link opens in a new windowA multidisciplinary resource providing the largest aggregated full-text database in the market today totaling more than12,665 titles - with over 9,745 titles in full text. Covers more than 160 subject areas, including business and economics, health and medical, news and world affairs, technology, social sciences and more. Provides over 400 full-text U.S., Canadian and international newspapers; nearly 30,000 full-text dissertations in the areas of business, psychology, physical sciences, health, education; and nearly 9,000 market reports for business information for 43 industries in 40 countries.
For further information on competitors and business rankings/market shares:
Industry Information Guide.
Company Profile
Company Profiles may include the following information:
1. Whether a company is PUBLIC [Investopedia.com definition] or PRIVATE [Investopedia.com definition];
2. U.S. or internationally based;
3. SUBSIDIARY [Investopedia.com definition] or the PARENT company [Investopedia.com definition];
4. Description of the Company;
5. Trading information for public companies [including Ticker Symbol and the Exchange that the company stock is traded];
6. Industry of the Company [See also Industry Information.];
7. Executive Officers [See also Executive Officers]; and
8. Financial Information [See also Financial Data for Public Companies; Financial Data for Private Companies; and Stocks and Funds.]
9. Company History
Database Resources:
- Business Source Premier This link opens in a new windowFull text and indexing of scholarly business journals covering management, economics, finance, accounting, international business and related topics.
- Use Academic Search Premier and click on Choose Databases (above the search boxes) to search Business Source Premier along with other Ebsco Databases.
- Hoover's Company Records This link opens in a new window"Featuring profiles of more than 40,000 companies, 600 industries, and 225,000 key executives, Hoover's Company Records provides easy access to the most thorough and up-to-date business information available."
- Mergent Online This link opens in a new windowMergent Online by FTSE Russell is a database of fundamental company information giving a detailed picture of over 10,000 U.S. public companies. Now includes Bond Viewer - access bond data using the tab at the top of the page. ("How do I use Mergent Online to create company comparison reports?")
- Morningstar Investment Research Center This link opens in a new windowEnter the Company Ticker or Company Name in search box and select the company name from the list of possible companies. Select Company Profile from Overview tab options.
Competitors
Database Resources:
- Business Source Premier This link opens in a new windowFull text and indexing of scholarly business journals covering management, economics, finance, accounting, international business and related topics.
- Use Academic Search Premier and click on Choose Databases (above the search boxes) to search Business Source Premier along with other Ebsco Databases.
- Hoover's Company Records This link opens in a new window"Featuring profiles of more than 40,000 companies, 600 industries, and 225,000 key executives, Hoover's Company Records provides easy access to the most thorough and up-to-date business information available."
- Morningstar Investment Research Center This link opens in a new windowEnter the Company Ticker or Name in search box and hit enter. Under your company's name, there will be a "Quote" tab. On this tab, scroll down until you see "Competitors" located on the right side of the page. Or, you may select Industry Peers in the menu bar directly under the Quote tab.
- Google Scholar This link opens in a new window
- Click on the Full-Text@Emmanuel at the right of articles or the more option below the item record.
- Search for the journal title using the A-Z Journals by Title list to verify the journals peer-reviewed status.
For further information on competitors and business rankings/market shares:
- Industry Information to identify other companies that share the same industry.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Database Resources:
- Business Source Premier This link opens in a new windowFull text and indexing of scholarly business journals covering management, economics, finance, accounting, international business and related topics.
- Use Academic Search Premier and click on Choose Databases (above the search boxes) to search Business Source Premier along with other Ebsco Databases.
- Try a search for your company and "corporate social responsibility" or csr or sustainability
For further information on Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability:
- Corporate RegisterSign up for a free account for access to CSR and sustainability reports
- CSR HubLimited free access to corporate social responsibility information, and sustainability ratings
Try a Google search for your company and "impact report" or "sustainability report"
MarketLine (Datamonitor)- SWOT Analysis, etc.
- Business Source Premier This link opens in a new windowFull text and indexing of scholarly business journals covering management, economics, finance, accounting, international business and related topics.
- Use Academic Search Premier and click on Choose Databases (above the search boxes) to search Business Source Premier along with other Ebsco Databases.
[Note: Not all reports include SWOT analyses.]
- Select Company Profiles at the top of the page.
- Browse the alphabetical list or search by company name.
- Enter a search string in the text boxes.
- Choose Peer Reviewed from the Limit your results section.
- Example searches:
textile and industry and threats and (America or "United States")
textile and industry and (trends or forecast or projections)
("International Business Machines" or IBM) and (trends or projections or forecast)
Executive Officers
Database Resources:
- Gale in Context: Biography This link opens in a new windowIntegrates GALE Cengage Learning reference works along with magazine and journal articles, images, videos, audio files, and website links. Search for current or historical people by name, occupation, nationality, and birth/death dates. Use the advanced search feature for further search options.
- Business Source Premier This link opens in a new windowSearch Tip: Choose People from the search field options and then enter the person's name, last name first.
Internet Resources:
- Company's Web Site
Search Tip: 1. Look on the company homepage for a link to investor or financial information;
Search Tip: 2. Use the search feature, if available, on the company's website; or
Search Tip: 3. Search Google.com for [annual report and site:company homepage].
- Executive Officer's Web Site
Curricula Vitae (CV) or other biographical information may be available online.
Financial Information: Private Companies
Description of Financial Data for Private Companies
Private companies have no obligation to reveal their financial data to the public. It may therefore be difficult (or impossible) to obtain detailed financial data. (See also Profile of the company or contact the company directly.)
Database Resources:
- Business Source Premier This link opens in a new windowFull text and indexing of scholarly business journals covering management, economics, finance, accounting, international business and related topics.
- Use Academic Search Premier and click on Choose Databases (above the search boxes) to search Business Source Premier along with other Ebsco Databases.
Internet Resources:
- Company's Web Site
Search Tip: 1. Look on the company homepage for a link to investor or financial information;
Search Tip: 2. Use the search feature, if available, on the company's website.
Financial and SEC filings: Public Companies
Description of Financial Data/SEC Filings for Public Companies
Public companies are required to file financial reports to the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC filings are available through the following databases and internet sites listed below. (See also Annual Reports and Company Profile.)
Database Resources:
- Mergent Online This link opens in a new windowSearch Tip: Enter Company name or Ticker in the Company Search option. Click on the company name link to access Company financials, Filings (SEC filings), or the Report Builder. ("How do I create company comparison reports using Mergent Online?")
- Morningstar Investment Research Center This link opens in a new windowEnter the Company Ticker or Name in search box and click on Get Report. Menu bar options include Key Ratios, Valuation, Financials, and Filings (SEC Filings).
Internet Resources:
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)Search EDGAR (the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system) for most filings from public companies. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Financial/Investment Analysis
- Morningstar Investment Research Center This link opens in a new windowEnter the Company Ticker or Name in search box and hit enter. Under your company's name, there will be a "Quote" tab. On this tab, scroll down until you see "Competitors" located on the right side of the page. Or, you may select Industry Peers in the menu bar directly under the Quote tab.
Ticker
Description of a Ticker Symbol
Each company is identified on each stock exchange by a unique alphabetic ticker symbol. Using the ticker symbol when doing research will ensure that information on the correct company is found.
The symbol is listed in the company profile. In addition, stock information resources will list the ticker along with stock quotes.
Stocks and Funds
Database Resources:
- Morningstar Investment Research Center This link opens in a new windowEnter the Company Ticker or Name in search box and hit enter. Under your company's name, there will be a "Quote" tab. On this tab, scroll down until you see "Competitors" located on the right side of the page. Or, you may select Industry Peers in the menu bar directly under the Quote tab.
Internet Resources:
Need Help?
How Do I . . . ?
- access databases off campus
- evaluate a resource
- evaluate a web site
- find a MarketLine (Datamonitor) Report and/or a SWOT Analysis
- find articles using the Library's online databases
- find books using the online catalog
- find peer-reviewed articles
- find the full text of an article from a citation
- use Mergent Online to create company comparison reports
- Complete "How Do I" list
Library Resources for Company Research
- ABI/INFORM Complete This link opens in a new window Includes:Dateline: Business, Economics: local and regional business publicationsGlobal: Business, Finance, Economics: journals, company profiles, Wall Street JournalTrade & Industry: Business, Economics: trade and industry periodicals
- Business Source Premier This link opens in a new window Full text and indexing of scholarly business journals covering management, economics, finance, accounting, international business and related topics.Use Academic Search Premier and click on Choose Databases (above the search boxes) to search Business Source Premier along with other Ebsco Databases.
- Gale in Context: Biography This link opens in a new window Integrates GALE Cengage Learning reference works along with magazine and journal articles, images, videos, audio files, and website links. Search for current or historical people by name, occupation, nationality, and birth/death dates. Use the advanced search feature for further search options.
- Hoover's Company Records This link opens in a new window "Featuring profiles of more than 40,000 companies, 600 industries, and 225,000 key executives, Hoover's Company Records provides easy access to the most thorough and up-to-date business information available."
- Mergent Online This link opens in a new window Mergent Online by FTSE Russell is a database of fundamental company information giving a detailed picture of over 10,000 U.S. public companies. Now includes Bond Viewer - access bond data using the tab at the top of the page. ("How do I use Mergent Online to create company comparison reports?")
- Morningstar Investment Research Center This link opens in a new window Enter the Company Ticker or Name in search box and hit enter. Under your company's name, there will be a "Quote" tab. On this tab, scroll down until you see "Competitors" located on the right side of the page. Or, you may select Industry Peers in the menu bar directly under the Quote tab.
- ProQuest Central This link opens in a new window A multidisciplinary resource providing the largest aggregated full-text database in the market today totaling more than12,665 titles - with over 9,745 titles in full text. Covers more than 160 subject areas, including business and economics, health and medical, news and world affairs, technology, social sciences and more. Provides over 400 full-text U.S., Canadian and international newspapers; nearly 30,000 full-text dissertations in the areas of business, psychology, physical sciences, health, education; and nearly 9,000 market reports for business information for 43 industries in 40 countries.
- Wall Street Journal This link opens in a new window
News
Print Resources:
Current issues of the following newspapers are available at the Library Circulation Desk
- The Boston Globe
- The New York Times
- The Wall Street Journal
Database Resources:
Access the complete list of newspaper databases through the Research Guide: Newspapers
Internet Resources: