Where should I start?

• The best place to start is usually a company profile. See this page for recommended sources of company profiles. Company Profiles

If you do not find a profile of your company, you may not have the correct, official company name (see below), or the company may be too small or new to be included in the company profile databases.

• The company web site is likely to have a great deal of information on the company. Larger companies and especially publicly-traded companies will have a page on their site for Public Relations or Investor Relations.

• Recent articles in business and industry journals are often good sources on information on a company. For recommended databases to find articles, see Articles in Business Journals and Magazines. For a small company that may not be covered in the national press, check the newspaper in the city where the company is headquartered.

When searching for company information, knowing these things about the company makes your searching more efficient.

• Is it public (stock is sold on the open market) or private (privately owned, shares not available to outsiders)?

Publicly traded companies are required to file financials and other information with the Securities & Exchange Commission, so much more information is available on these companies.

• Is the company is headquartered in the US or overseas?

Some sources cover mostly US companies and others cover companies all over the world.

• Is the company a parent company or a subsidiary?

Less information is available on subsidiaries. Often it is necessary to look for information in the filings for the parent company.

• What is the official name of the company?

Distinguish between brand names (Coke) and company names (The Coca Cola Co). For public companies, knowing the ticker symbol saves time.