In this lesson, you will learn to:

• Identify the types of analyst reports
• Use the REPORT TITLES feature
• Conduct searches in different types of analyst reports

Note: Investext® PDF Index (File 745) provides access to the entire collection of reports available from Investext from August 1999 forward in PDF format.

Introduction
A good technique for indentifying your competitors is to see how outside observers position your company. Analyst reports, such as those found in Investext (File 545), are excellent sources of in-depth analysis of a company—its revenue performance, its market and competition, and the analyst predictions on the future prospects of the company; information on an industry worldwide; and analysis of business in specific geographic areas.

Investext research reports can help you to:

• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of competitors
• Competitively position new products and services
• Evaluate and expand into new world markets
• Position your company in relation to market newcomers
• Stay on top of what's being said about your own company

Chris, our researcher, has received several requests from his client Bev. In this lesson we will follow Chris through the process of fulfilling Bev's requests. These requests will require that Chris conduct searches for analyst reports.

Chris - I have several requests that I hope you can help me with. Here's the first one. There have been some rumors lately that the Alcoa Aluminum Company is looking to either takeover or merge with another aluminum company. I'd like to see what analysts are saying about Alcoa. I'm especially interested in any financial highlights you can get. Thx. Bev

I think I will find the information Bev wants in File 545, Investext. The reports are produced by leading investment banking firms and financial research organizations around the world.

They usually include analysis, short-term and long-term forecasts of sales, earnings, research and development expenditures, and market share information. They also provide answers to a wide range of common business intelligence questions, such as competitive analysis, market research, evaluation of companies for acquisition, industry trends, and corporate planning. The structure and content of analyst reports vary according to the contributing brokers and/or consultants.

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