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What is Company Research?
When researching companies, keep in mind that different types and amounts of information may be available, depending on if the company is public or private. In addition to the resources listed below, take a look at the company's website and any other information they might make available, such as mission statements, press releases, news articles, annual reports, and letters from the chairman and/or CEO. Here are some things you might be looking for:
- Is the company public or private?
- Where is the company located? Where is the company headquarters?
- What are their key performance indicators (KPIs)?
- Financial figures: can you find stock prices for the company? What are their stock price trends?
Key Resources
If company research is new to you, take a look at the guides below for information on how to do this type of research.
- Company ResearchFrom the Business Information Skills Certificate course, this chapter focuses on company research.
- Research competitors in your industryThis LinkedIn Learning Course, available to Waterloo members, can help you with the process of researching companies.
Library Resources
Pitchbook
- PitchbookNOTE: Create an account by logging in with your Waterloo email address.
How to use Pitchbook for company research?
Search for companies in the top search box, or use the Companies & Deals Screener to search for companies by keyword.
Global Data Explorer (formerly Marketline)
- Global Data ExplorerInformation, news and market reports for international companies, industries and countries. New platform for Marketline Advantage.
Coverage: current
How to use Global Data Explorer for company research?
Global Data Explorer includes company profiles. Search for a keyword, such as "bank" or "Meta", or use the top menu to navigate to "Companies".
- GlobalData - Video GuidesGlobalData Video Guides explain how to use the platform for various analysis types. View the Company Analysis video for information on industry research.
Mergent
- Mergent Market AtlasIncludes SEC and EDGAR filings for publicly traded companies.
How to use Mergent for company research?
Learn how to access company profiles in Mergent through the Business Information Skills Certificate course, or via the video below. Note: these resources were created by other universities, so access will differ for Waterloo library.
- Mergent Market Atlas EssentialsLearn how to search for a company, create a list of companies, and compare two companies in this video.
Statista
- StatistaStatista includes information about many public companies. Search for companies by name, eg. Walmart, Meta, to find information about companies and their customers.
How to use Statista for company research?
Search for companies by name, or watch the video below to learn how to use the Company Insight tool.
University Resources
S&P Capital IQ
- S&P Capital IQFunded by the Faculty of Mathematics. S&P Capital IQ allows users to perform deep company and industry research, monitor companies and markets, and identify and leverage key relationships.
Openly Available Resources
Directories of Canadian Companies
- Government of Canada Directories of Canadian CompaniesIncludes information about registering as a Canadian supplier, searching for competitors and checking a company's incorporation status.
SEDAR
- Canadian Securities AdministratorsThe Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is a body of thirteen provincial and territorial securities regulatory authorities. You can search for profiles of private and public companies, investment funds, investment fund groups, and other parties filing in SEDAR+.
EDGAR
- U.S. Securities Exchange CommissionAll U.S. publicly-traded companies are required to file their annual documents (10-K) and quarterly documents (10-Q) into the SEC’s EDGAR database. Using the SEC site, you can search by company name or use a ticker symbol.
How to use EDGAR for company research?
- How Do I Use EDGAR?This tutorial describes the various ways web users can search EDGAR for real-time filings and other company information.
- How to Read a 10-KFrom the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), this guide provides a description of each section of Form 10-K, along with some suggestions on how to use the information. At the end of this document, we explain the role of public companies in ensuring the accuracy of their 10-Ks and the role of the SEC in reviewing the documents. We also tell you how to find company 10-Ks.
CRA - List of charities
- Canada Revenue Agency - List of charities and certain other qualified doneesRegistered charities and non-profits report their financials to the Canada Revenue Agency.
Rankings
- Forbes Global 2000Each year, Forbes uses data from FactSet Research systems to screen for the biggest public companies in four metrics: sales, profits, assets and market value.