Posted: March 5th, 2022

©2017 FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising

©2017 FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising

Company Report Guidelines Writing Assignment

Objectives: 1. Conduct research by using annual reports, periodicals and online sources to analyze and synthesize

information 2. Evaluate a company as an investment prospect 3. Create and submit a Source Review of Research Prospects (Module #4 Assignment, 10 points) 4. Formulate an Outline with Salient Sub‐Points and Quotes (Module #5 Assignment, 10 points) 5. Submit a preliminary Works Cited in MLA Formats (Module #6 Assignment, 10 points) 6. Write and submit all Body Paragraphs of Written Report with Revised Works Cited and In‐Text

Documented Quotes in MLA Formats – Rough Draft (Module #7 Assignment, (10 points) 7. Integrate Introduction, Conclusion, Abstract and Executive Summary for Written Report – Final Draft

(Module #9 Assignment, 10 points)

Students will then select a company in researching, writing an analysis, and formal report about the company.

• The Company Report consists in creating a company report by using a Wiki then compiling the information into a formal report.

• Select their specific company to analyze

Report Guidelines Each student must choose one well‐known U.S. company (if you prefer a foreign company, ask for permission first) and prepare a written report giving a general introduction to the company and specifics about the company’s prospects for investors.

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The report must include: 1. A brief overview of the company size, location, products and services and its current stage in growth

lifecycle. 2. Financial specifics, including market capitalization, debts, profits (and other pertinent financial data),

and future projections, i.e. microeconomics. 3. Industry landscape, trends and competitors, i.e. macroeconomics. 4. Recent news, expert analyst opinions and consensus about the company and why this is good or bad. 5. Summary and comments on whether you would recommend investing in the company and why or why

not. BUY / HOLD / SELL

Sources must include: 1 (one) Annual Report and 11 (eleven) Periodicals or Online Sources:

1. The company’s website – a great source for investor relations, annual reports, its latest press releases, forecasts and news about a company. However, the company may promote only that news and information which is favorable.

2. The company’s annual report – public documents which give a general introduction to a company, its detailed financial information, such as profits, operating expenses, and debts, for a particular year. Annual reports are required for all companies that sell stock in the stock market. These companies are called “public” because the public can buy stocks, shares of ownership, in the company. Private companies, those which don’t sell stock to the public, may not have annual reports and should not be used for this project. Annual reports for most public companies are available online at company websites.

3. Periodicals and online sources – magazines, newspapers, databases and news services. Use the FIDM Library for reference to the many online and periodical sources you can access and use for free, e.g. Hoovers, LexisNexis. Enter the company’s name and a date range and you can search for headlines for every article published during that time period. WSJ, Fortune and Barron’s are excellent business periodicals and www.moneycentral.com and Yahoo Finance offer summaries of financial data and news links for most publically‐traded companies. Enter the stock symbol for the company at these websites to access specific information.

IMPORTANT: The process of this assignment must be followed in the following sequential order. DO NOT BEGIN WRITING THE ABSTRACT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FIRST!

The Writing Process includes:

• Source Review – Module #4 • Outline with Sources Integration – Module #5 • Works Cited in MLA Formats – Module #6 • Rough Draft of Written Report – Module #7 • Integration of Introduction and Conclusion – Module #8 • Creating an Abstract and Executive Summary – Module #9 • Final Draft of Written Report – Module #9

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Preliminary Organization and Outline of the Report: The preliminary organization of your report will cover:

I. Introduction. Begin with an effective opening. Include a thesis (posed as a question) and a plan of development that succinctly previews the sources and structure of your analysis.

II. Company Background & Current Stage in Growth Lifecycle Briefly introduce the company and its basic information, such as size, market capitalization, divisions, products and location of its headquarters. Identify and assess current stage of company’s growth lifecycle, milestones the company has reached and its sustainability for growth and profit.

III. Detailed Financial Information ‐‐ Microeconomics Provide financial information based on the annual report which identifies whether the company is profitable or not, e.g. has debts, pays dividends, its forecast, revenues and earnings.

IV. Industry Landscape, Trends and Competitors ‐‐ Macroeconomics Analyze current industry trends, main competitors and company’s position in the market, locally, nationally and globally, and sustainability status.

V. Recent Developments, Analyst Opinions and Wall Street Consensus Discuss recent news and developments, positive and negative. Supply expert evaluations about the company, analysts’ ratings, and consensus opinions.

VI. Recommendations Synthesize the research and comment on whether you would recommend investing in this company. Give specific reasons for your opinions. BUY / SELL / HOLD

VII. Conclusion Offer a brief summary (re‐cap) of your report and re‐state your recommendation.

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Study Notes, Research Topics & Assignment Examples: Intellectual Disability, Severe, W/ Behavioral Disturbance And Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment. »Nicohwilliam