Finding SWOTs

SWOT = Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. These are great reports that discuss competition, product development, regulation (important to drug companies among others) and the macroeconomic picture that might affect a company.

Recommended databases:

Business Source Complete – from the main page, scroll down and choose SWOT analyses on the right side and search your company

Marketline Advantage - Type in your company name, get results and then select SWOT on the right side of the screen.

ABI Inform (keyword search your company and the word SWOT)

Hidden SWOTs in ABI Inform

 
There are some hard to find SWOTs in our database ABI Inform.

Long story short: do a keyword search of your company's name and SWOT.

Under source types, limit document type to reports.

OR

go to Browse, then select Just Series Market then select SWOT then select view documents.

Do your search by company name.

Note: ABI Inform does not have some well known companies, but the overall selection is fine.

Annual Reports Can Be A SWOT Source

What if your company doesn't have a prepackaged SWOT?  You can use your own noggin and create one yourself (get used to doing this).

Or

The companies themselves will address these concerns in their annual report. This is usually done in their 10-K section 1A (Risk Factors). There is no uniform presentation; the company will list potential adverse scenarios to its profitability (threats and weaknesses), as well as its market strategy and assumptions (strengths and opportunities). They will continue to address these points throughout the rest of the 10-K.

So, if your company is publicly traded check out their annual report. Annual reports are available on the company's internet site, through Mergent or the SEC's Edgar database.

Fashion and Clothing SWOTs in ABI Inform

ABI Inform does have SWOTs for the fashion industry. Among a galaxy of options, I've seen footwear, athletic clothing, and clothing retail patterns discussed here.

It's a little weird to find.

1. Go to ABI Inform
2. Choose the Browse tab.
3. Choose Just Series Market Research Reports.
4. Choose Just Style.