Skip to Main Content duPont-Ball Library - Stetson University Library Home - duPont-Ball Library - Stetson University - Library Guides at Stetson University duPont-Ball Library - Stetson University
Header image depicting John B Stetson statue, walkway to the library, the Innovation Lab, and Student Workers

Company Research

A guide for Stetson students researching U.S. and international companies.

Welcome!

This guide highlights resources available through the duPont-Ball Library and across the web for researching companies in the U.S. and abroad.

Remember, librarians can help you with your research:

Things to Consider

  • Are there variations of the company name?

Determine if there are alternative spellings or abbreviations of the company name. Some databases require a ticker symbol to find company information.

  • Is the company public, private, or international?

It's typically easiest to find information on public U.S. companies. See below for research strategies concerning private and international companies.

  • What about the company's "family tree"?

Is it a parent company or a subsidiary of another?

  • Is the company newsworthy?

Companies tend to be in the news when they are performing well or are having problems. Don't forget to check local press!

Adapted from Butler University Libraries - Company Research Tips

Good to Know

Public companies sell shares to the general public through stock exchanges like the NYSE or NASDAQ. They are legally required to file regular financial and business disclosures with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including:

  • Annual Reports (10-K)
  • Quarterly Reports (10-Q)
  • Current Reports (8-K)

These filings are freely available through the SEC’s EDGAR database.

Public companies are more often covered in news, analyst reports, and investment databases due to their visibility and regulatory obligations.

Privately held companies are not listed on public stock exchanges and are typically owned by individuals, families, or small investor groups. Since they aren't required to file financial statements with the SEC, their revenue data is often estimated or presented as a range.

Research Strategies

1.  Visit the company's official site, especially the about page, for background, leadership, and product information.

2.  Check local newspapers and business journals for valuable insight. The duPont-Ball Library offers several business news databases.

3.  Use LinkedIn to identify executives, company size, and hiring trends.

4.  Explore government resources:

Federal Agencies 

  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – May provide data on plant size, number of employees, and machinery used.
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Offers inspection reports and environmental permit filings.
  • Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) – Maintains records on product recalls and safety investigations.
  • U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – Some private companies file limited reports if raising capital.

State & Local Offices 

  • State Economic Development Offices – Offer business directories and support services.
  • Secretary of State Offices – Provide access to business registrations, articles of incorporation, and annual filings.
  • Municipal and County Offices – May hold property records, tax assessments, and environmental compliance data.

 

 

International companies can be challenging due to varying transparency standards, especially for private firms, and financial statements may follow IFRS or local standards instead of U.S. GAAP. Keep in mind, company information, filings, and news may be in the local language.

Research Strategies

1.  Start with global business databases. See below for recommendations from the duPont-Ball Library. 

2.  Use government resources. The U.S. Commercial Service offers an International Partner Search tool that provides company profiles, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) provides data on U.S. companies with foreign affiliates. 

3.  Check local sources. Many countries have national business registries that provide registration and filing information. For public companies, check foreign stock exchanges like the London Stock Exchange or Tokyo Stock Exchange.

4. Search in the local language. Use translation tools to look up company names and keywords in the native language. 

Best Bets:

A ticker symbol or stock symbol is an abbreviation used to uniquely identify publicly traded shares of a stock on a stock market. It may consist of letters, numbers, or both. 

Example: The ticker symbol for Tesla, Inc. is TSLA

Using the ticker symbol eliminates companies with similar names. Searching for the company name on Google will usually provide the ticker symbol.