Guides: Companies & Industries Research Guide: Financials

Financials, Key Business Ratios and Sample Business Plans

Mergent Online
Alternative to Thomson ONE especially for users of Firefox or Safari browsers. Provides detailed financials for public companies and directory access/screening capabilities for private companies worldwide.
Nexis Uni
A company search will lead to a profile or "dossier" with basic financials and links to SEC filings for public companies.
BizMiner
A statistical research database that allows for basic or highly granular trend analysis through the use of industry financials, ratios and market research (including: start up activity, sales growth, employment rates and business failures) at the national and local levels.
Key Business Ratios
Online access to competitive benchmarking data compiled from D&B??s database of public and private companies, featuring 14 key business ratios (users choose a one-year or three-year set of ratios) for public and private companies in 800 lines of business.
Bloomberg
Global financial news, securities pricing data and market analysis. Unfortunately, this product is not available remotely; only available by appointment at the Loop Campus Library
Business Plans Handbook
A collection of actual business plans compiled by entrepreneurs seeking funding for small businesses throughout North America.

Research Tip

The balance sheet of public companies must be disclosed on a quarterly basis. If you are attempting to research a private company or a subsidiary/division of a public company, understand you will not find the same level of detail. At best, you might find an estimated sales/revenue figure as part of a basic directory entry.