The following databases may be used to locate key information elements that identify a company and the industries in which it operates more easily in a wide range of resources. These elements include a company's ticker symbol (e.g., SBUX), as well as its Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code (e.g., 5812 - Eating Places) and North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Code (e.g., 722515 - Snack & Nonalcoholic Berverage Bars).
Federal securities laws require publicly traded companies to disclose information on an ongoing basis. Form 10-K is an annual report required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), that gives a comprehensive summary of a public company's performance. Although similarly named, the annual report on Form 10-K is distinct from the often glossy annual report to shareholders, which a company must send to its shareholders when it holds an annual meeting to elect directors. The annual report on Form 10-K provides a comprehensive overview of the company's business and financial condition and includes audited financial statements.
Both Form 10-K and the annual report to shareholders may often be obtained through corporate websites by clicking on "About Us" or "Investor Relations" links. The following databases are also authoritative sources for Form 10-K: