Research Guides: Company Research: Competitors & Market Share

Competitors

Understanding a company's place in the competitive landscape is a key piece of company research. Any of the databases listed in the Company Profiles tab will provide lists of competitors. Think about the criteria that was used to create the list to determine whether it is comprehensive and relevant to your analysis.

EDGAR
EDGAR is the Securities and Exchange Commission's database of company filings, including 10Ks.

The 10-K will include a statement (Part 1, item 1A: Risk Factors) which nearly always discusses competition in the industry. Individual competitors may not be named outright, but the filing company will explain which types of companies they see as competitors and which activities or qualities are perceived as competitive threats. Only publicly-traded companies file this document. Find the 10-K in the Investor Relations section of the company's website, or by searching the SEC's EDGAR database.

See the Market Share & Rankings resources below for additional ways to find competitors.

Market Share & Rankings

Gale Business: Insights
This database provides rankings from Business Rankings Annual and Market Share Reporter. Search by company name or ticker symbol, then scroll down to find the "Market Share/Rankings" link. For rankings and market share for products or brands, use the Advanced Search function and change "Content Type" to Rankings or Market Share Reports.
IBISWorld Industry Market Research
In-depth reports on industries, providing an overview of the industry, outlooks, products and markets, operations and key statistics. Look for "Companies" tab within any industry report for major players and their market share.
Mintel Academic
Market research reports on consumer goods. Search by company, brand, or product type. Each report has a "Market" section including market size and segment performance.

The Inc 5000 List
This resource, from Inc. Magazine, ranks the 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the US. Includes revenue, growth, and jobs added. Narrow the list by industry, region, or revenue.