Business

Use the boxes to investigate various types of Business research.

How to find a company's NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) or SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) numbers:

Ritter Library has two databases which provide NAICS codes for public corporations and larger private companies.

Business Source Complete lists NAICS and SIC numbers for public corporations.

• Open the Company Information search option in the blue menu bar at the top of the basic search page
• Enter the company name or ticker symbol
• Select the Industry section to see the NAICS or SIC numbers

Mergent Market Atlas lists NAICS, SIC, and ICB (FTSE/LSEG classification methodology).

• Enter a company name or stock ticker symbol in the search box on the database homepage
• In Overview tab in the Description & Contact Information box see the options for industry classification

If you are researching a smaller private company, try Reference Solutions (aka Data Axle), available through Cleveland Public Library. You will need a CleveNet or Greater Access library card (available through Cleveland Public Library) in order to access this resource.

The official websites for searching the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and the Standard Industry Classifications (SIC) provide complete descriptions of the classification numbers.

How to find a company's annual and quarterly financial reports:

Mergent Market Atlas

• Search a company name or stock ticker symbol in the search box
• Select Financials (third tab from the left)
• In the Financials tab view income statements, balance sheets, cash flow, and ratio series.
• Choose time period to select number of years displayed
• Chart and compare selected line items by checking them off from the list and clicking Chart Selected.
• Select Filings tab to view the company's financial reports; Select PDF or HTML icons
• Filter by the type of filing and time period in the menu on the left

Financial documents (10K, 10Q, etc) that each corporation files with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available:

• Search the Next-Generation EDGAR System: Since 1934, the SEC has required disclosure in forms and documents.

How to find a company's competitors and information about the industry in which the company operates:

IBISWorld provides excellent industry data in a visual format including a list of major companies

• Search for an industry, company, or code
• Navigate to the Companies chapter
• Market Share section

MarketLine Reports, which are available in Business Source Complete are an excellent source for identifying competitors.

• Select Company Profiles under More tab
• Enter company name, click Browse
• Open MarketLine report (if available), and go to Top Competitors in table of contents

Mergent Market Atlas provides a Competitors List

• Search for a company by name or stock ticker symbol on the database homepage
• Select Analysis from the navigation header
• Select Industry Peers from the menu on the left side of the screen to review companies that compete

To create a comparison between two companies

• Search for a company by name or stock ticker symbol on the database homepage
• Select Analysis in the navigation header
• Select Comparison from the menu on the left side of the screen
• Search any other company in the Compare to box

D&B First Research offers profiles of over 900 industry segments.

• Browse Report Categories in the navigation menu to examine industry categories or input a company name in the Report Text search bar
• Provides access to industry overviews, quarterly industry updates, challenges, trends, and opportunities

How to find company histories:

Company histories are available in two Ritter Library databases.

Mergent Market Atlas

• Search a company name or stock ticker symbol in the search box
• Within the Overview tab under Description & Contact Information scroll down to the Company History link for a company timeline

• Select Company Profiles under More tab
• Enter company name, click Browse
• Open MarketLine report (if available), and go to History in table of contents