Post on 24-Feb-2016
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Intro to Company & Industry ResearchShana Gass, MSLSsgass@towson.eduReference LibrarianCook LibraryTowson UniversitySeptember 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