LibGuides: SoBE: Accounting Research Guide (CoBET): Company, Market, Industry Info &amp; More

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SEC EDGAR

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC's) mission is to "protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation."

Learn how to quickly research a company's operations and financial information with EDGAR search tools.

SWOT Analysis

What is a SWOT Analysis?

A SWOT analysis (Strength + Weakness + Opportunities + Threats) is an analysis of a company used to create strategic business plans. External environmental factors are typically considered to be Opportunities or Threats. Internal factors are generally classified as Strengths or Weaknesses.

Understanding SWOT Resources:

Where can I find SWOT Analyses?

Using the following databases, use keywords "SWOT analysis" or "SWOT" with the name of the company you are interested in. For instance, try "SWOT analysis" AND Tractor Supply Company.

ABI/INFORM This link opens in a new window
Content: Business research database covering economic conditions, management techniques, theory, and practice of business, advertising, marketing, economics, human resources, finance, taxation, computers, and more.
Purpose: This is a key database for business and leadership students.
Special Features: Country and market reports, SWOT analysis functionality, browsable by topic pathway.
Help using this database.
Business Source Complete This link opens in a new window
Content: Business research database covering topics including accounting, banking, economics, finance, international trade, marketing, management information systems, and more.
Purpose: This is a key database for business, accounting, and economics students.
Special Features: SWOT analysis functionality, market research reports, country reports, industry profiles, and more.
Help using this database.

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Company & Market Information

Annual Reports:

Annual Reports are a yearly record of a public corporation's financial condition that must be distributed to shareholders under Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations. Included in the report is a description of the company's operations, as well as its balance sheet and income statement.

Where can I find Annual Reports?

Company websites often include 3-5 years or annual reports. *Caution: Even though these are developed for stockholders, keep in mind that there may be a corporate bias because the documents are public-facing.
Various library databases contain annual reports.

SEC EDGAR
Contains electronic versions of forms filed by U.S. corporations with the SEC from 1994 to the present. *Note: Annual Reports are referred to as 10-K forms for the SEC.

Finding Competitors:

Use the resources below to find information on a company's competitors or industry competitors.

Mergent Online This link opens in a new window
Content: Database for company and industry research containing detailed information about many publicly traded companies, including inactive companies.
Purpose: This is a key database for business, accounting, and economics students.
Special Features: Economic and industry reports, as well as company filings, financials, a report builder, and much more.
Statista This link opens in a new window
- This link opens in a new window
Content: Database containing data and statistics on over 60,000 topics, including media, business, finance, politics, and much more.
Purpose: A key database for business and economics students.
Special Features: PDF/PNG downloadable content for easy insertion into papers or presentations, charts, graphs, reports, and dossiers.
Statista Research AI delivers concise, written responses tailored to user queries, integrating statistics, infographics, diverse topics, and key insights from market research. Each answer highlights its sources for easy verification and deeper understanding. Beyond direct answers, Research AI suggests personalized follow-up questions to further explore insights.

Consumer Research:

Census Business Builder: A suite of services that provide selected demographic and economic data from the Census Bureau tailored to specific types of users in a simple to access and use format.
Economic Census: A great source for U.S. economic, social, and demographic statistics, particularly for small areas and local communities. Includes information on the national and local U.S. economy, businesses, and industry data.

Market Reports:

Business Source Complete This link opens in a new window
Content: Business research database covering topics including accounting, banking, economics, finance, international trade, marketing, management information systems, and more.
Purpose: This is a key database for business, accounting, and economics students.
Special Features: SWOT analysis functionality, market research reports, country reports, industry profiles, and more.
Help using this database.
Data Axle Reference Solutions This link opens in a new window
Contents: Business research database covering businesses from large conglomerates to small businesses.
Purpose: Database for business and economics students
Special Features: Data updated in real-time, phone numbers, addresses, SIC code, online presence, and number of employees, as well as information on verified, unverified, and out-of-business records

Industry, Country, & County Information

NAICS: North American Industry Classification System

Search NAICS
The standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy.
Industries at a Glance
US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

SIC: Standard Industrial Classification

Search SIC
The standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy. The Standard Industrial Classification system was replaced by the NAICS in 1997. However, you will still see references to SIC numbers.

Industry Information:

International Trade Administration (ITA)
The International Trade Administration (ITA) is your U.S. government resource for competing in the global marketplace. Includes information on Export Solutions, as well as Trade Data & Analysis.

Country Reports:

BBC - Country Profiles
Full profiles provide an instant guide to history, politics and economic background of countries and territories, and background on key institutions.
Country Studies Program (Library of Congress)
Contains electronic versions of eighty books originally sponsored by the U.S. Army and written by researchers affiliated with the Library’s Federal Research Division. Intended for a general audience, the studies provide descriptions and analyses of lesser-known countries or regions where U.S. military forces might be deployed.
U.S. Department of State
Countries & Areas
World Economic Outlook Database
The World Economic Outlook (WEO) database is created during the biannual WEO exercise, which begins in January and June of each year and results in the April and September/October WEO publication.

Country Data:

OECD iLibrary
Country statistical profiles and more
World Factbook
The World Factbook provides basic intelligence on the history, people, government, economy, energy, geography, environment, communications, transportation, military, terrorism, and transnational issues for 266 world entities.

County Information:

California Counties Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)
Beginning with the report dated June 30, 2020, the State Controller’s Office (SCO) changed the name of the “Comprehensive Annual Financial Report” to “Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,” in compliance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 98. The adoption of GASB Statement No. 98 may result in changes to URL web links for reports published in previous fiscal years.

Selected Websites for Consumer & Market Research

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