Researching Companies

DePaul University Libraries

Researching Companies

Whether you are researching a firm to prepare for an interview, tackling a class assignment, or looking for investment analysis--useful company information resources run the gamut from printed directories to online databases. Before you begin, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Which campus library carries the most business information?

This guide refers to a mix of printed resources, subscription databases and free Web sites. DePaul's Loop Campus Library, which supports the College of Commerce, is most fully equipped for in-depth company research. In addition, librarians specializing in business information are based at the Loop and can be consulted during reference desk hours (tel: 312-362-8432) or through e-mail. See "Ask a Librarian" displayed at the top of all library web pages www.lib.depaul.edu.

Will I find all company information in one resource?

Although some key information may be found in a single source, chances are you will find yourself constructing a complete company profile from bits and pieces of information, culled from a variety of sources.

Focusing the search: Public? Private? Subsidiary? Nonprofit?

As the first step in your research, determine the company's status:

Public companies are those whose stock is traded over a national or regional exchange; they must issue reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and to their shareholders. Public companies are the easiest to research because of this obligation for disclosure. Note that just because a company is incorporated does not mean it is publicly held.

Privately held companies do not offer shares for sale to the public. Because they are not obligated to divulge their financial figures this information is generally not available.

Subsidiaries are companies owned by another company. The "family tree" of a company can have many layers. Knowing the ultimate parent's status can help direct your research efforts.

Nonprofit organizations are established in the interests of the public good -- whether social, religious, educational, health-oriented or philanthropic -- and have been legally approved to function without profit. Depending on the size of the organization, research may be easy or extremely challenging.

General Directories

Several general directories will provide you with a company's principle address, line(s) of business, sales, and the names of primary executives.

D&B Million Dollar Directory
Loop/Lincoln Park -- Reference: R.338.0973 D897ma or online via D&B Million Dollar Database at www.lib.depaul.edu/eresource/database.asp

Illinois Manufacturers Directory
Loop/Lincoln Park -- Reference: R.338.74 W567

Illinois Services Directory
Loop/Lincoln Park -- Reference: R.338.0025 I29

Job Bank series (selected cities)

Loop/Lincoln Park -- Career Information Collection: R.331.128

Thomas Register
Loop/Lincoln Park -- Reference: R.338.0973 T46

Free with registration at www.thomasnet.com

Ward's Business Directory
Loop/Lincoln Park/O'Hare -- Inquire at Reference Desk: R.338.74 W267aa

Subsidiaries

If a company is a division or subsidiary of another, specialized directories will help you trace this relationship. (Some of the general directories listed above also have indexes that cross reference corporate relationships.)

America's Corporate Families and International Affiliates
Loop/Lincoln Park -- Reference: R.338.74 A5124

Directory of Corporate Affiliations
Loop -- Reference: R. 338.8 D598

Industry-specific Directories

Numerous subject-specific directories exist. A few examples follow here; don't hesitate to ask a reference librarian for additional recommendations.

Consultants and Consulting Organizations Directory
Loop -- Reference: R.658.403 C758

Standard Directory of Advertising Agencies
Loop/Lincoln Park-- Reference: R.659.1058 S785

Competitors

Who are the company's competitors? Or maybe you want to identify job prospects. Directories often include an index that groups or ranks companies according to Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code or North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. Please note that many of the directories already listed will identify the company's SIC code(s).

Market Share Reporter
Loop/Naperville -- Inquire at Reference Desk: R.658.83 M345 or online via Business & Company Resource Center www.lib.depaul.edu/eresource/database.asp

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)

Loop/Lincoln Park -- Reference: R.338 U58s1987

Old system being phased out, but still very much used.

North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS)

Loop/Lincoln Park -- Reference: R.338 U58sa or online at www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html

TableBase

Market share, market size, statistics, and consumer demographics

www.lib.depaul.edu/eresource/database.asp

Ward's Business Directory
Volume 5 features company rankings by sales within SIC or NAICS codes.
Loop/Lincoln Park/O'Hare -- Inquire at Reference Desk: R.338.74 W267aa

Company Histories & Background

A company's history is often profiled in its own recruiting literature. General directories often include date founded. For more detailed information consult:

Business Source Elite use the “Company Profiles” tab to access company profiles and SWOT analyses www.lib.depaul.edu/eresource/database.asp

International Directory of Company Histories
Check the cumulative index in the last volume for the most recent entry on a company.

Loop -- Reference: R.338.7409 I61s or online via Business & Company Resource Center www.lib.depaul.edu/eresource/database.asp

Vault Reports

Company and industry profiles written with the job applicant in mind; check out the employee message boards www.vaultreports.com

Wet Feet Press

Also provides company and industry profiles for the career-minded www.wetfeet.com

Financial and Investment Information

Financial and investment information on public companies can help you predict the company's future prospects. Publicly held companies must file a report with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) called a 10-K, which discloses financial position and results of operations.

Annual Report Gallery

Annual reports from around the world and, in some cases, direct links to company home pages www.reportgallery.com

Corporate Reports File

Selected Annual reports and 10Ks from major foreign, domestic, and local companies.

Loop -- Inquire at Reference Desk

Edgar

Access to SEC filings www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml

Investext Plus

Reports and forecasts on companies and industries by Wall Street and international brokerage firms www.lib.depaul.edu/eresource/database.asp

Thomson One Banker

Provides information on U.S. and international companies, including financials for the most recent five years. www.lib.depaul.edu/eresource/database.asp

Yahoo Investor

Going through Yahoo provides access to some key financials and ratios.

yahoo.investor.reuters.com

Standard and Poor's Stock Reports

Loop -- Inquire at Reference Desk: R.332.67 S785s or online via Standard and Poor's NetAdvantage www.lib.depaul.edu/eresource/database.asp

Value Line Investment Survey

Loop/O'Hare/Naperville-- Inquire at Reference Desk: R.332.63 V215

Periodical Articles

Magazine, journal, and newspaper articles are a good way to find out how others perceive the company you are researching, and can be a valuable source of information on product and marketing news. The DePaul Libraries subscribe to several databases (www.lib.depaul.edu/eresource/database.asp) that are particularly useful for company research:

ABI/Inform -- indexes more than 1,000 business periodicals and includes the full-text of many articles. Users will find in depth coverage of all business topics including management, marketing, finance and accounting.

Business Source Elite -- provides users with full-text business information and news.

Business & Industry Database -- provides U.S. and international company and product information. Look here for marketing, market size, market share, and forecast information. Full-text items are included.

Chicago Tribune -- full-text articles 1985 to present.

Wall Street Journal -- full-text articles

Industry Research

If you are unable to find any information in the sources shown above (which may be the case with smaller private companies), or if you want to broaden your approach, consider researching the industry as a whole. Databases indicate above can provide periodical articles that give industry overviews, current events and trends. The following resources will help you further your research.

Industry Background

Encyclopedia of Emerging Industries

Loop -- Inquire at Reference Desk: R. 338.003 E56g or online via Business & Company Resource Center www.lib.depaul.edu/eresource/database.asp

Standard and Poor's Industry Surveys

Loop/Naperville -- Inquire at Reference Desk: R.332.63 S785 or online via Standard and Poor's NetAdvantage www.lib.depaul.edu/eresource/database.asp