These resources are ideal starting points when you are trying to find a quick snapshot of a company. Also, when you need extensive detail on a company, they provide the basic background upon which you can build your research.
These resources generally contain basic facts, usually including:
Some provide additional information which may include:
Start with the annual report if appropriate and convenient. Otherwise, select resources based upon availability, likelihood that your company is included, and whether or not any specific information you need is contained. When unsure, the big three of directories - Million Dollar Directory, Standard & Poors, and Ward's - are excellent starting points.
If you are having trouble finding a company, you may want to use the resources and tips on the Address and Phone Books page to try to verify the company's name.
Also refer to regional directories and specialized industry directories if appropriate.
Annual Reports:
Although not truly "profiles", annual reports provide
the same information and usually much more. They are an excellent starting
point for researching Public Companies. (Check directories below to determine
if a particular company is public.) See Sources for Corporate Financial Data for additional
discussion of annual reports.
D&B Million Dollar Directory: America's Leading Public & Private
Companies: Profiles on 160,000 leading private and
public U.S. companies. To be included, a company must be a headquarters
or single location. In addition, the business must meet one of three inclusion
requirements: 250+ employees at that location, or $25 million+ in sales
volume, or tangible net worth greater than $500K.
AVAILABILITY: Reference. (HC102 .M5)
Standard
& Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors and Executives: Profiles
on over 75,000 corporations.
Ward's Business Directory of U.S. Private and Public Companies:
Profiles on over 90,000 corporations.
Hoovers Online: Provides very brief capsules
on more than 13,500 public and private enterprises in the United States
and around the world. The capsules consist of basic company and financial
information and selected Web links.
Moody's
Manuals: Multi-volume set containing a financial
summary as well as corporate description and history. Public Companies only.
AVAILABILITY: Reference.
Mergent
Online --(UAH Only) Mergent Online is the online
version of the Moody's Manuals, offering offering information on 11,000
U.S. public companies.
Standard
& Poor's Corporation Records: Multi-volume set
providing background and financial information. Daily News section
keeps entries up to date. Public Companies only.
AVAILABILITY: Reference (HG4905 .S7663)
S&P
Net Advantage (UAH Only)--Net Advantage is a comprehensive
database of financial information that provides access to 11 S&P key
financial publications.
Fortune 500: This site contains the Fortune
500 List and includes company snapshots.
AVAILABILITY: http://www.fortune.com
Forbes 500
AVAILABILITY:
http://www.forbes.com/tool/toolbox/forbes500s/
Forbes 500 Private Companies: Contains address
& phone number, sales rank, industry, chief executive, revenue, profits,
number of employees, and a brief history.
AVAILABILITY: http://www.forbes.com/private500/
Business
and Company Resource Center: Although primarily
used to find articles, company profiles are also available. Value
Line Investment Survey --Provides
in-depth investment data and advice for over 1,700 publicly traded companies
and 95 industries.
AVAILABILITY:
Reference HG4501 .V26
NETWORKED DATABASE.
CompaniesOnline: A directory from Dun &
Bradstreet which provides quick identification plus address, phone number,
and web links. If you register (for free) you get additional information
including annual sales and employee size.
AVAILABILITY: http://www.companiesonline.com
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