Guide to Research : Public Companies

Public companies are easier to research because 
 
 1) They are required to file financial data regularly with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This information is freely available to the public and is also the basis for the financial data in many library resources.  Consult the guide on company annual reports for more information and links to EDGAR(SEC) filings.
 
 2) Most sell stock that is traded on a major stock exchange (i.e. New York or American), a regional exchange, NASDAQ, or otherwise as an unlisted or an over-the-counter (O.T.C.) stock. In the latter case, you may need to look for a service geared toward providing information on unlisted stocks.  Speak to a librarian if you are having difficulty locating information on a company.

Return to the Company Research Guide