14. Industry

14.1 What is the core industry?
14.2 What is the name of the industry publication?
14.3 What are the current trends in the industry?

It is impos­si­ble to under­stand your tar­get firm with­out under­stand­ing it in the con­text of the larger indus­try in which it oper­ates. There are a wide variety of industry publications on industries, small and large, and they can be important sources of information on the overall industry and the major firms within it.

The NAICS code you identified in Question 2 will allow you to identify the industry (or industries) in which the company is operating. The best way to learn about an industry is to consult industry publications. You can find these using a general news search or by consulting Web Wire. Industry publications often provide a great deal of information about current trends in the industry, as well as comparative data on the industry’s top players.

Once you identify your target firm on Yahoo Finance, you can use the “industry” tab to learn more about the industry in which your firm is located.

The International Trade Administration at the Federal Department of Commerce provides industry reports and data, particularly those with international connections.

The Economist Intelligence Unit provides some industry and market reports for free.

Paid Resources (Subscription Required)

IBIS World provides the best industry reports. Marketline Advantage, and BCC Research provide reports on a wide variety of industries.  CB Insights provides corporate analysis and information on major investor deals. (Note: you must be on the UMass network and sign up for an account to use this resource).