Subject Guides:

Business Research FAQ

CONTENTS

How do I compare competitors or do an industry analysis?
What are NAICS codes and how do I identify them?
Where can I locate basic demographic data?
Where can I look for mergers and acquisitions news?
Where can I locate a company's prospectus?
Where can I locate historical stock prices?
Where can I locate a company's Annual Reports?
Where can I get information on the Insider Holdings of a company?
Where can I locate executive information, particular executive compensation data?
Where can I locate ratios?
Where can I get information on starting a business and writing a business or marketing plan?

How do I compare competitors or do an industry analysis?

Option 1: Mergent Online --> Search --> Create Reports tab --> Comparison Reports --> Compare Company Against Industry

Option 2: Mergent Online --> Search --> Competitors tab --> Create Competitor Report

Option 3: Other sources for general industry profiles include: Business Source Premier, Standard and Poor's NetAdvantage (which also includes basic competitor comparison data), and Plunkett Research Online. For more information, see the Where to Find Business Information chart.

What are NAICS codes and how do I identify them?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) has replaced the U.S. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. NAICS codes are a standardized system that classifies various industries, and can be associated with specific companies (the codes reflect the industry of which the company is a part). NAICS codes are used in many business research databases such as Reference USA and Mergent Online, as well as by the government (such as in the Economic Census data).

When doing business research, it is always helpful to know the NAICS code for your particular industry or company. A NAICS code lookup is available from the U.S. Census Bureau. The Industry Statistics Sampler data based on NAICS code is useful, and the American FactFinder Quick Reports based on Economic Census data can also be helpful.

Where can I locate basic demographic data?

Census data is a useful source for basic demographic information for a particular geographic location. For basic data, try locating a Fact Sheet or using the American Community Survey, both available through American FactFinder.

For North Carolina demographic data, the NC State Data Center is an excellent source. They have NC census data, state demographic data, and a searchable resource for NC statistical data.

Where can I look for mergers and acquisitions news?

Option 1: LexisNexis Academic
In the Business News section, choose Mergers and Acquisitions as the news source.

Option 2: Recents Mergers/Acquisitions (CNN Money)

Where can I locate a company's prospectus?

Thomson Research

Where can I locate historical stock prices?

http://finance.yahoo.com/ is a good starting point. Other potential sources include Morningstar Library Edition and historical newspapers.

Where can I locate a company's Annual Reports?

Mergent Online --> Search --> Annual Reports tab
Morningstar Library Edition --> Search --> SEC filings --> 10-K

Where can I get information on the Insider Holdings of a company?

Mergent Online --> Search --> Research tab --> Insider Holdings

Where can I locate executive information, particularly executive compensation data?

Option 1: Mergent Online --> Executive Search tab --> Search salary (or other data point)
Option 2: Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) --> Compustat --> Executive Compensation
Option 3: LexisNexis Academic --> Business --> Company Profiles --> U.S. Executive Compensation Database

Where can I locate ratios?

Option 1: Mergent Online --> Search --> Company Financials tab --> Ratios

Option 2: Mergent Online --> Search --> Company Financials tab --> Analysis --> Ratio Analysis

Option 3 - Industry Ratios: Mergent Online --> Search --> Create Reports --> Comparison Reports --> Compare Company Against Industry --> Select Comparison Report Type --> Use extended report items --> Choose category Ratios --> Add report items and create report

Option 4 - Industry Ratios: Mergent Online --> Search --> Competitors tab --> Create Competitor Report --> Profitability Ratios

Option 5: Morningstar Library Edition --> Search --> Key Ratios

Where can I get information on starting a business and writing a business or marketing plan?

Option 1: Search our online catalog using subject headings such as: Business Planning, New business enterprises planning, Proposal writing in business, Small business planning.

Option 2: The Small Business Administration is an excellent resource, with information on writing a business plan, creating marketing plans, and more about how to plan, start, and manage a business.

Option 3: For more information, see the guide Starting a Business: Creating a Business Plan.