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Three Easy Steps to Find Company Information

(Or what to do if Google overwhelms you.)


Step Number 1

Determine if the company is public, private, or subsidiary.

Click here to access the Company Information Flowchart


Step Number 2

Select a database for company information:



Public Companies

Consult sources below for information about public companies:

Company History & Directories:

Financial Information:

Investment Analysis:

Article Databases:



Private Companies

Consult sources below for information about private companies:

Also, check article databases:



Subsidiary Companies

Consult subsidiary sources below to verify subsidiary status and to get parent company name:

Then use Nexis Uni (tutorial video) to determine if the parent company is public or private.
Follow steps for Public or Private Companies.




For more details about the differences between databases, see our Company guide.



Step Number 3

Figure out what information you need.



company profiles in subscription databases often contain the following:
  • Revenues (either estimated for private companies or from filings)
  • Top Executives & brief bios
  • Lines of business
  • Revenues (either estimated for private companies or from filings)
  • Top Executives & brief bios
  • Lines of business
    • aka Industries (either NAICS or SICs)
    • What it does (makes, services, or both)
  • Designates if private or public (subsidiary, branch, parent)
  • Competitors (either designated by company or within SIC)
  • Option: financials and background/history
  • Some may have investment analysis
  • Ability to compile lists within an industry, geography, sales range, or stock index