LibGuides: International Business: Company Information

Finding Company Reports from the Web

Some websites collect company reports online. Please note that while these websites do offer some free reports, some of the reports require you to purchase them. Always check library databases before going to the websites.

Finding Company Information from their Website

The Web has some great resources for business research. Firstly, it is recommended that you go to the company website and read the "About" section to see how a company defines itself and its goals. There can also be press releases, investor information, SEC filings, annual reports, or corporate social responsibility or "community" reports. Be warned that the website will likely be biased or try to present the company in the best light, so other, more objective, sources should be used in addition to the website to fully understand a company.

Ticker Symbol

A ticker symbol is a combination of letters (or sometimes numbers) used to identify a security listed on an exchange or otherwise traded publicly. Ticker symbols are unique to each security. To find a ticker symbol, go to the company's website or any of the following websites:

Finding Company Information using Databases

Business Source Premier
To find journal articles, magazine or periodoical articles, and news information about a company, simply type in the company name or ticker symbol and any useful keywords into the search box and click Search. For MarketLine company profiles that give company overviews, history, SWOT analyses, and competitor information: do the same, but click the Company Profiles drop-down menu to the right of the search results.
LexisNexis Academic
To get an overivew of the company, go to the Get Company Info drop-down menu and type in the company name or ticker symbol. The left toolbar allows you to select the company overview, news, financials, and more.
SEC's EDGAR
This searchable website was produced by the United States Security and Exchange Commission to help facilitate researchers in finding information about companies, company filings, and investment information.
MSCI ESG Manager on Campus (formerly KLD Research Socrates)
You can search by company name then download reports. The IVA report discusses key issues for the company. The Industry report shows trends and the company’s performance on key issues. The Impact Monitor Report discusses environmental, social, and governance issues. Be sure to scroll down on the left-side toolbar to ensure that the Business Involvement Screening is set up to your liking. For example, if you are looking up a business’ involvement in Nuclear Power, there is the option to screen for it at this toolbar.
Hoover's Company Profiles
To get relevant information about a company, simply:
1) Type the company name into the search box.
2) Select correct company from the list.
3) Click "Link to full text" on the right.
4) Peruse the various data including the history, competitors, financials, and subsidiaries & affiliates.

"Old School" Foreign Trade

Image source.

Company & Industry Information Guide

Business Research Basics: Company & Industry Information
This guide includes databases and important information to know when searching for company and industry information.

Private Company Information

Private company information may be hard to find because they do not have to report their information to the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). It is possible to find information on these companies. For example, many have websites with an "About Us" section. Also, check for press releases and and reports that are published with promotional information.

Bloomberg Terminal

The Bloomberg Terminal is located on the 4th floor of the Gumberg Library, across from the reference desk by the public access computers. Part of the information that the terminal can provide is Bloomberg Industries.

The University of North Carolina library made this guide to researching industry and companies using the Bloomberg Terminal.

SWOT Reports

A SWOT report is something that describes a company's:

Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

This report allows the reader to understand the company's direction and room for improvement. It can describe or infer future actions in a company or project, as well as aims and external or internal factors that may affect the company or project.

Business Source Premier
To find a SWOT report, type in the company name or ticker symbol in the first search box, then type in SWOT in the second. This should produce a report with a company interview, including a SWOT analysis and detailed description of percieved strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats.

This can also be done by searching for the company name or ticker symbol, then clicking on the Company Profile drop-down menu to the right of the search results.