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Industry Research: Databases

This guide lists books and databases useful in locating industry information including overviews, ratios, codes and financial performance.

Industry Overviews, Profiles, and Financial Performance

Key resources

U.S. Foreign Trade information

For U.S. Foreign Trade information (imports & exports), register for free access to:

USA Trade Online

"...a dynamic data tool that gives users access to current and cumulative U.S. export and import data.  With multiple data sets and capabilities,   manufacturers and other businesses wishing to expand their business globally can utilize USA Trade Online to identify new markets, evaluate existing markets, and perform other market research tasks...
...This powerful software allows users to create customized reports and colorful charts detailing international trade data at different levels. All data are updated each month with the release of the latest U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services Report."

Monthly commodity imports/exports can be searched by state and by Harmonized System (HS) Code or by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) among other features. This site will give background information on foreign trade data.

The U.S. International Trade Commission is another source of trade information, including investigations of trade practices concerning specific products. Among many publications, they publish an annual review of services trade.

Industry Reports & Profiles

Industry Reports & Profiles

Find the below sources of information using the library's Journal Finder:

  • Plunkett Research is a provider of industry sector analysis and research, industry trends and industry statistics. The Business Library does not subscribe to their database, but their Plunkett Analytics Reports which provide "deep industry benchmarks, statistics, financials and revenue forecasts," are available in the library database ABI/INFORM Collection. To get to the list of the broad industry categories they cover, search by Plunkett Analytics Reports in the Journal Finder.
  • Barnes Reports are also lengthy industry sector reports. To see the list, search by US Industry & Market Reports in the Journal Finder. (These reports are contained in the library database ABI/INFORM Collection.)
  • BMI Industry Insights are short reports covering various aspects of broad industries. To see the list, search by BMI in the Journal Finder. (These reports are contained in the library database Nexis Uni.)
  • First Research Industry Profiles can be viewed by going to the Journal Finder and searching by First Research Industry Profiles. (They are contained in the library database ABI/INFORM Collection.)

Featured Title

Book Cover

Consultants & Consulting Organizations Directory

Provides information on firms and individuals from the U.S. and Canada in the consulting services industry. Covers 14 general fields of consulting activity ranging from agriculture to marketing, and more than 400 specialties are represented, including finance, computers, fund-raising and others. Branch office addresses and contact numbers are also provided, when available.