Document Actions
Company and Industry Research
Business Research Crib Sheet
Taking a first look:
| Less Information | More Information |
|---|---|
| International company | U.S. company |
| New company | Established company |
| Private company | Public company |
| Subsidiary | Parent company |
| Small company | Large company |
| Small industry, many players |
Large industry, few players |
Steps
1. Find your industry codes. These codes are assigned by the U.S. Government to identify the industry.
- Find your SIC code (Standard Industrial Classification) [OSHA.gov]
- Find your NAICS code (North American Industry Classification System)[Census.gov]
- Business & Company Resource Center [do an Industry search. You can search industries by topic].
- Hoover's Online [do an Industry search]
- Reference USA [do a Custom Search. You can search industries by topic.]
.
2. Find your benchmark industry ratios
- Almanac of Business & Industrial Financial Ratios [on Reserve in Willis Library]
- Industry Norms & Key Business Ratios [on Reserve in Willis Library]
- Annual Statement Studies - RMA Robert Morris Associates [on Reserve in Willis Library]
.
3. Get your company's numbers if public
- The company's 10K Report includes Part II, item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"]
- Business & Company Resource Center [doesn't present the entire 10K but provides the essential numbers]
- Hoover's Online [click on SEC filings]
- LexisNexis Academic [click on Companies then click on SEC filings]
- Morningstar Document Research [this database formats the documents nicely in Word or pdf]
- SEC Edgar Database [read the help guides and the FAQs before using this database]
- Thomson One Banker (Thomson Analytics) [find your company and click on SEC Full Reports]
.
4. Find industry information
- Many of these electronic tools have an industry search blank. Plug in your NAICS or your SIC code or use the industry lookup search blank.
- Business & Company Resource Center
- Hoover's Online
- NetAdvantage - Standard and Poor's [provides Standard and Poor's Industry Surveys]
.
5. Find articles about your company and industry
- ABI Inform
- Business & Company Resource Center
- Business Source Complete
- Emerald FullText
- Predicast's PROMT -- Predicast's Overview of Markets and Technology
- Regional Business News
- APA Style Guide -- The OWL site at Purdue University has prepared a basic guide to citing with the current APA style.
.
Need Help?
The UNT Libraries Government Documents staff is happy to answer your questions! Visit us on the 3rd Floor of Willis Library Government Documents Department, or call us at (940) 565-2870, or email us!
