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Frederick E. Berry Library and Learning Commons

FIN 466: Investment and Security Analysis

Overview

  • Read reports in industry background library databases such as IBISWorld.

  • Use library databases such as ProQuest ABI/Inform and Nexis Uni to find articles and news about the industry.

  • Use Google and other search engines to identify industry associations and other industry-related organizations. 

  • Research the major individual companies that make up the industry. 

Off-Campus Database Access

​​​​​​When you access a library database off-campus (such as IBISWorld, Mergent, etc.), you will be prompted to enter a username and password. This tells our system that you are a member of the SSU community.

The user name and password are the same as those used to access Navigator, Canvas, email, etc.

Industry Research

Library Databases

Web Resources

SIC and NAICS codes can be useful tools when doing research on an industry or looking into a company's competitors.They are American standard codes and they essentially classify the industry areas in which companies operate.

NAICS Example:

44 - Retail

448 - Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores

4481 - Clothing Stores

448140 - Family Clothing Stores

Web Resources

Library Databases

These resources provide profiles, reports and statistics on private and public companies. Use these to research a company's finances, executives, business strategy and placement within a market.

Library Databases

Web Resources

Library Databases

Monitor the industry

  • monitor current industry developments

  • identify industry trends

  • analyze the competition

  • locate statistical data and industry forecasts

  • examine the political, legal, technological and environmental issues that affect industry operations

Library Databases

Industry News

Automotive

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Airlines / Aviation

  • SWISS premieres its own signature cocktailThis link opens in a new windowJun 6, 2025

    SWISS premieres its own signature cocktail SWISS is adding its first-ever own-creation cocktail to its beverage range on board. The 'SWISS Alpine Essence' is a light and floral homage to the White Negroni that will be offered aboard all the airline's long-haul services from July onwards. The new SWISS signature cocktail has been jointly developed with award-winning bartender Sarah Madritsch and Zurich's IGNIV by Andreas Caminada Bar. Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is bringing...

    Read the full story at https://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=339434

  • Virgin Australia to deploy Boeing 737 aircraft to key regional routesThis link opens in a new windowJun 6, 2025

    “By operating our Boeing 737 aircraft on more flights, we can offer increased value and choice to our customers, more seats, and greater connectivity to Mount Isa and Townsville, further aligning our flying to our pre-COVID levels for these key regional hubs.” In a vote of confidence for regional Queensland, Virgin Australia has announced the increased utilisation of Boeing 737 aircraft for services on its Mount Isa and Townsville routes – a move welcomed by locals and tourism operators i...

    Read the full story at https://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=339433

  • Schiphol opens first Louis Vuitton storeThis link opens in a new windowJun 6, 2025

    Schiphol opened the first Louis Vuitton store in Lounge 2. The opening marks a new milestone in Schiphol's transformation to improve the passenger experience at the airport. Every day, thousands of intercontinental travellers can now discover the world of Louis Vuitton. Schiphol is investing heavily to offer travellers a unique and improved experience at the airport. The entire commercial offering is being revamped: we are substantially improving the Food and Beverage offering, the Duty...

    Read the full story at https://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=339431

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Aerospace / Defense

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Banking and Financial Services

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Biotechnology

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Entertainment

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Food / Beverage

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Gambling / Casino

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Healthcare

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Mobile Communication

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Oil / Energy

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Real Estate

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Industries are dependent on the economy at large. Governments collect a wealth of business and financial information at the national, international, and individual level. Many are available at the summary and micro-level segments. Of particular interest may be national census, banking, business, and consumer income and expenditure data collections.

Web Resources

Financial ratios are often used to compare a company against an industry average or other companies in order to benchmark or measure a company's performance. Industry ratios are often useful when creating the financial components of a business plan and starting a new company. When using these resources make sure you are comparing similar sized companies. Each resource will give different figures for each industry based upon the average asset size of the companies in the industry.

Library Databases

Web Resources

Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis.

If there isn't a SWOT analysis, you can do your own SWOT analysis by collecting information from multiple sources, such as company profiles, industry & market information, journal articles and news. If you are researching a public company, take a look at its Annual Reports, especially the section "Risk Factors." 

Here are some other tips on doing your own SWOT analysis:

Explore the company website and consider the following:

  • What kind of service/product do they provide?
  • What kind of customer needs are they meeting? Are they meeting these needs better than their competitors, at a better price?
  • What's their customer value proposition?

Interview the company, if possible. State that you are a student researching on the company for academic work, and that you will agree to sign any non-disclosure agreement. Call and ask them nicely. You might be surprised! * Most of the "internal information" (e.g., HR practices) of small private firms is highly unlikely to be available in secondary sources; in this case, talking with the company is the only way.

Read reviews, if available. Although customer reviews can be biased and unreliable, consistently positive or negative reviews should be taken into account. Consumers often find weaknesses that the company may not be aware of. However, be realistic -- you can't be all things to all people. Always keep your target market in mind.

Take a look at the competitors and consider

  • What kind of service/product do the competitors provide?
  • What are your company's competitive advantages (e.g., unique product/service, location, size, customer service, price, etc..)? How does your company differentiate itself from others (i.e., what's its niche)?

Library Databases