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Researching Public Companies: Getting Started
Start your research by gathering key background information using 1) a company research database like Mergent Intellect, 2) company websites, and 3) 10-K reports.
- Mergent Intellect This link opens in a new windowSearch for companies by name or ticker symbol to find profiles. Each company profile covers key background information, competitors, financial snapshots, industry details, and executive information. 10-Ks and other reports from the company are available on the company tab under "SEC Filings."
- Company websiteA company's own website is often an important source of information about a company’s mission, vision, culture, and products/services.
- 10-K reports via EDGAR10-K reports, which are filed annually by public companies, are available via the EDGAR database on SEC.gov. These reports cover important company information, financials, and risk factors affecting the company and industry. 10-K reports can also be accessed via the Mergent Online and Mergent Intellect databases.
Researching Public Companies: Diving Deeper
Find out more by using additional resources for company information.
- MergentOnline (company information - expiring 06/30/2025) This link opens in a new windowSimilar to Mergent Intellect, you can use this resource to find company profiles by searching name or ticker symbol. You'll find key details about the company, as well as its executives and competitors. Once you have initial background information on a company, you can dive deeper in this database or collect data for later use. A standout feature of Mergent Online is access to financial statement data and ratios, which can all be downloaded to use in your own analysis.
- Business Source Premier This link opens in a new windowSelect the Company Profiles tab and search by company name to find a MarketLine report covering business description, key employees/stakeholders, major products/services, top competitors, locations and subsidiaries. These reports also often include a SWOT analysis that can serve as a starting point for exploring internal and external factors.
In Business Source Premier, you can also search for articles about companies appearing in top business publications. Check the "News" tab on this guide for additional information.