Skip to Main Content

Company Research

Find information about companies for class projects, investment research, career development, and general research.

Company Research: Where Do I Start?

Here are a few important questions to consider before starting research on a company:

  • What is the purpose of your research?
    • Class project? Investment research? Researching a company at which you are applying for a job? Consider the types of information you need to meet your objectives.
  • What type of company are you interested in?
    • Public - companies owned by shareholders. In the U.S. these companies are required to register financial data with the government, and that information is accessible by the public
    • Private - companies whose stocks are not widely traded on stock exchanges. Information on private companies is usually very limited, frequently found in general directories, company websites, and news articles
    • International - companies headquartered outside the U.S. are still required to file financial reports if they trade on U.S. stock exchanges. Reporting standards for other countries vary widely
    • Nonprofit - a company or organization that does not distribute profits to owners or shareholders. Examples include charities, associations, foundations, churches and educational institutions. Nonprofits must also file information with the government

Business Librarian

Profile Photo
Sara McCaslin
she/her
Contact:
The Commons at Helm Library 2019
270-745-6089