To research a company, first determine whether the company is public, private, or a subsidiary of a larger parent company.

• Public Companies

  • Has issued securities and trades on a stock exchange

  • Regulated by the SEC and required to disclose financial statements and annual 10-k reports

  •  Easier to research because more information is usually available for public companies

• Private Companies

  • Privately owned and does not have shares that are traded in public exchanges

  • More difficult to research because no requirements to disclose financial statements like public companies

  • To research a private company search for current news articles, magazine profiles, and within trade publications using the resources found within the Current News & Articles section.

• Subsidiaries

  • Completely or partially owned and controlled by a parent company

  •  Research the parent company to find information regarding the subsidiary