Getting Started
This guide lists basic sources of information found in Helmke Library or on the World Wide Web that can help you collect data and analyze a company. For more help, be sure to see Related Guides or contact the business liaison librarian.
Realities of Company ResearchThe amount of information available about a company depends on whether the company is publicly-held (public) or closely-held (private). Although the tips and resources listed below will help, the size of a company and whether it is part of a larger corporation will also make a difference on the information available.
- Public companies make full financial reports to investors and to the Security & Exchange Commission (SEC). This information is available to the public in a variety of formats. (See Financial Reporting section of this guide).
- Private companies are not required to make public filings. Information on private companies is limited to what they choose to disclose. Although detailed financial information may not be available, articles in news and trade publications may report on the people, products, affiliations, and practices of private companies. (See News & Analysis)
Fast FactsUse directories to find out if a company is public or private, identify ticker symbols for publicly-traded companies, and to get contact information. These sources may also provide names of personnel, products, as well as basic figures for sales and employment.
- Hoovers Online
- Yahoo! Finance Flexible, comprehensive site. Use Finance Search for products, people, or news. Provides stock histories, ratios, and other analysis.
- Thomas Register of Manufactures An industrial search engine limited to directory information on manufacturers.
- Harris Industrial Directories Available for Indiana and contiguous states (Business Ready Reference HD9727.I6 H37)
- LexisNexis Corporate Affiliations Lists over 200,000 parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, and divisions. Available to one user at a time, IPFW login required.
Financial Reporting
Tip: Confused about terms, reports, or market processes? Visit Investopedia "The Investing Education Site." Home to over 1000 articles, 4500 dictionary entries, and 500 pages of in-depth tutorials on nearly any aspect of finance and investing
Library DatabasesThe following databases are value-added sources of financial information and analysis on publicly traded companies. Search by ticker symbol for best results.
- LexisNexis Academic Use the Business search form to search for company information by name or ticker symbol. Financial data easily downloads to MS Excel file.
- Mergent Online Use the Company Analysis List on the right to create comparison reports of multiple companies.
- Value Line Investment Survey Search by ticker symbol using the Company Lookup function found on the left menu.
U.S Government Sources
- Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) Edgar Database the official site of the corporate reports submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Annual ReportsUsing an Internet Search engine, such as Google, check the company's Web site for the most current annual report or try one of the following free services.
- Annual Reports file at IPFW includes annual reports for all publicly owned corporations or foundations with home offices in Indiana or with major subsidiaries in the Fort Wayne area. Ask at the service desk.
- Annual Reports.com Search for current annual reports by company name, ticker symbol, industry, sector, or exchange.
- Annual Report Service claims to be the largest compiler online and allows searching by state. Free, but registration required.
News & Analysis
Take time to read! Current print editions of the top publications for business news can be found in the Periodical Reading Room in Helmke Library, (second floor). Titles include Economist, Forbes, Fortune, Money, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal.
Databases/Periodical IndexesAvailable to all IPFW students, faculty and staff. Login required
Web Sites for Private Company Information
- Forbes Lists Annual listings for largest private companies, best small companies, best big companies, and more.
- Inc. Magazine gives rankings of fastest growing private companies in U.S.
- Fortune 500 Many rankings available free of charge
Parents, Subsidiaries & Brands
- LexisNexis Corporate Affiliations
- Hoover's Handbook of American Business (Business Ready Reference HG4057 .A28617 1999)
- Researching Divisions, Subsidiaries & Products (Stacks HD38.7.R47 2002)
- Standard & Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors and Executives (Business Ready Reference HG4057 .A4 2005)
- Brands and Their Companies (Business Ready Reference T223.V4 A25 2000)
- Companies and Their Brands (Business Ready Reference T223.V4 A253 1999)
More Help with Company ResearchMany guides, in print and online, are available to help you plan and conduct research on companies. Selecting which guide will depend on the focus and depth of your research and the time you have to invest. Suggested resources appear below. Corporate Information
Introduction to Online Company Research: Search Strategies, Case Study, Problems and Data Source Evaluations (Reference HC79.T4 I58)
Researching Your Way to a Good Job (Stacks HF5382.75.U6 C76)
Researching Companies Online
Strauss's Handbook of Business Information: a Guide for Librarians, Students, and Researchers. (Business Ready Reference Z7164.C81 S7796)
Reference Librarian
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garrisoj@ipfw.edu
2101 E. Coliseum Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499
260-481-6499
Fax: 260-481-6509
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Judith Garrison M.L.S.
Reference & Information Services Librarian; Liaison to School of Business & Management Sciences, Labor Studies, Division of Public & Environmental Affairs; Assessment Coordinator
Helmke Library, LB 160 |
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