Library Resources for BUS 400: Policy and Strategy

1. by Colleen Anderson, Reference Librarian Douglas & Judith Krupp Library Fall 2009 Library ResourcesforBUS 400: Policy and Strategy

2. Needed Information • Economic conditions and forecasts • Industry overviews, forecasts, & benchmarks • Company Information • Comparative Data and Market Share

3. Economic Conditions & Forecasts • Standard & Poor’s NetAdvantage Trends and Projections.…see the section labeled Economy located in the lower left corner of the page. Click on the link provided under Economic Insight and then select Trends & Projections from the retrieved menu. Provides an overview of the domestic economy. • Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System…a report to Congress on recent and prospective economic performance and monetary policy.

4. Economic Conditions & Forecasts • Conference Board. Economic Briefing Page.…provides access to the economic newsletter Straight Talk; forecasts for GDP, CPI, & T-Bills; economic indicators, economic research and an economic outlook. • The Livingston Survey…from the Federal Reserve Bank in Philadelphia, the Livingston Survey provides a consensus of economists’ expectations for the U.S. economy.

5. Industry Overviews & Forecasts • IBIS World Industry & Market Research…structured to provide information on Porter’s Five Forces operating within the industry. Click on the Industry Market Research tab. Provides key statistics, industry conditions, industry performance, key competitors, etc. • First Research Industry Profiles in Proquest Business Databases…click on the publications tab and type First Research Industry Profiles into the search box to retrieve the profiles. These contain an industry overview, trends, financial information (including industry ratios), and more. • Standard & Poor’s NetAdvantage…Click on the Industries tab and select your industry from the drop down box under the Industry Survey link. This publication provides industry trends, key industry ratios and statistics, a comparative company analysis, and more for approximately 50 industries.

6. Industry Overviews & Forecasts • Value Line Industry Reports…industry reports written from an investment viewpoint. Includes historical statistical data on industry performance. • Mergent Online Industry Reports…global reports containing information on the current environment, industry profile, key points & references, market trends and outlook.

7. Industry Overviews & Forecasts Businesses operating in the same industry form trade associationsto collect data, track legislation, and publish current news on the industry. These trade associations produce journals and web sites that are valuable sources for industry information. To locate a trade association, see: National Trade & Professional Associations of the United States (REF HD2425 .D53) After you have identified a relevant trade journal covering your industry, go to the library’s Journals List to find out if the library carries the journal via one of our major full text indexes.

8. Industry Overviews & Forecasts Search the following indexes to locate articles from journals published by trade associations: Proquest Business Databases Business Source Complete Lexis/Nexis Academic

9. Industry Benchmark Ratios • Hoovers…search for your company by name or ticker symbol, click on your retrieved company name, and then click on competitive landscape from the left bar menuto retrieve profitability, valuation, operations, and financial ratios for the company, industry, and market. • RMA Annual Statement Studies (RR 2 HF5681 .B2 R63) …composite data on over 375 industries. Arranged by NAICS code; provides 5 years of data.

10. Company Overview, Financials, & Ratios • Mergent Online…search by company name or ticker symbol and click on the retrieved company name to access current and historical financial information, ratios, annual reports, and news. • Hoovers Academic…information on the company history, competitors, financials, SEC filings and news. The 10K company filing provides a wealth of valuable information. • Mergent Horizon…Mergent Horizon is an online database that allows you to access current financial information. It also contains up-to-date company information including stock prices, financials, competitor's, suppliers and customers

11. Searching for News Articles on Companies • UseProquest Business Databases or Business Source Complete to locate current articles on particular companies. Use the Advanced Search feature in both databases, and select company/org from the drop down box to limit your search to company name. • Lexis/Nexis Academic also provides current news articles on companies. Select the News tab on the main menu and then Business News Publications or U.S. Newpapers and Wires from the Source drop down box.

12. Search Proquest Business Databases for News Articles on Companies

13. Search Business Source Complete for News Articles on Companies

14. Comparative Data/Market Share Information on Companies • Fortune 500 (for print issue, ask at the Reference Desk) …companies ranked by various criteria, such as most profitable, fastest growers, etc. • Business Rankings Annual (see also the print edition in Ready Ref 2 REF HG4061 .B89) …5,000 rankings of companies and products arranged by subject area. • Market Share Reporter (see also the print edition in Ready Ref 2 REF HD1040.9 .M37) …market share data on companies, products, and services.

15. Comparative Data/Market Share Information on Companies • Hoovers Academic…run a company search, click on the retrieved company name, and select competitive landscape from the main menu options. • Standard & Poor’s NetAdvantage…select an industry survey under quick links and then select relevant numbers and/or ratios under comparative company analysis.

16. More Questions? Ask a Reference Librarian