Detail of a Dossier

Using the LexisNexis Database

By Daniel Amaral, '09

Are you interested in learning more about a particular company? Whether your interest comes from academics, financial investment, or curiosity, the database LexisNexis can help you out. LexisNexis is a rich database for business research, but its richness isn’t limited to professionals, as all UMass Boston students have full access to the database. And with retirement assets often tied to the stock market, nearly everybody has something to gain in knowing where their money is.

So what do you do if you need to find out information on a company? Get your hands on a company dossier! A company dossier is like an abbreviated biography of a company, and provides concise, useful information. Having a working knowledge of a company is useful for many reasons. Two major areas of interest are company health and company operations. What does the company do? How does the company do what it does? These are questions that can be answered by using company dossiers.

 About Company Dossiers

Accessing LexisNexis

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Accessing company dossiers

Let’s try using LexisNexis for the local company Boston Beer. Boston Beer Co. is publically traded (as opposed to privately held), and information on this company should be easy to obtain simply by searching for its dossier. (However, this is not the case with a privately held company.) 

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Some examples

• Under "Financial Information," and the "Major Shareholders," Renaissance Technologies Corp is listed as having a 7.30 per cent stake in the company. Major changes, for example, at Renaissance could impact Boston Beer, as Renaissance is a major shareholder.
• "Financial Information" are brand names owned by Boston Beer Co. Most people may know that Boston Beer Co. is the maker of Samuel Adams, but how about the Hardcore Cider Company or Twisted Tea?
• "Legal Information" has listed domestic and international court cases, and could tip you off to potential problems with the company. Suppose Boston Beer is currently engaged in litigation. Its outcome could drastically affect the company's stock, and possibly your retirement fund or other investment.
• "In the News" has an article in the publication Newsday, and featured some of Boston Beer's products. This exposure, particularly before a holiday like St. Patrick's, could help boost sales and therefore company profits.

S.E.C. filings

If you want maximal information on Boston Beer Co., the Securities and Exchange Commission (S.E.C.) filings will be important. To access S.E.C. filings on LexisNexis, at LexisNexis's homepage select "Business," and then "S.E.C." filings from the left-hand column. Search for "Form 10-K," as it is of particular importance. To do this, select "Company Filings (1006)" in the left-hand column. For me, the 10-K was the third item on the list, and was dated December 27, 2008. A table of contents shows that sections 7 and 7a are on parts 21 through 35. Here, the company (truthfully, we hope) discloses to the U.S. government potential problems. Take advantage of this, as you can use it to avoid risk yourself by not investing in the company. At the very least, you will be provided with as close to perfect knowledge as possible, and you'll at know what you're getting into.

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Level the playing field

Company dossiers can help level the playing field for investors. And the great thing about company dossiers on LexisNexis is that they're easy to read and accessible to everyone--not just professionals. With LexisNexis, students and staff are able to spot possible problems with their assets, rather than letting somebody else spot them perhaps when it's too late. In an uncertain economy, isn't it nice to know who's watching your money?

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