Free Industry Research Sources
| Source | Type of Data | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| SEC EDGAR | Company filings, 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K | Primary source for public companies |
| Federal Reserve FRED | Macro + sector economic data | Interest rates, GDP, employment |
| BLS.gov | Labor statistics by industry | Wage trends, employment by sector |
| Census.gov | Industry sales, retail data | Revenue trends by industry |
| IBISWorld (partial) | Industry size and structure | Market share, industry KPIs |
| McKinsey Insights | Thought leadership reports | Long-form strategy research |
| Deloitte Insights | Sector outlook reports | Technology and consumer sectors |
| FinanceStackHub Reports | Investment-focused reports | Stock-level sector analysis |
Premium Research Providers
| Provider | Specialty | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBISWorld | US industry reports | $1,500+/report | Market sizing and competition |
| Gartner | Technology markets | $15,000+/yr | IT and software markets |
| Forrester | Technology + consumer | $30,000+/yr | Technology decision makers |
| S&P Global Market Intelligence | Financial data + research | $10,000+/yr | Financial services analysis |
| PitchBook | VC/PE + public markets | $30,000+/yr | Private market intelligence |
| Bloomberg Intelligence | Cross-sector research | Terminal subscription | Buy-side professionals |
How to Build Your Own Industry Research Framework
- Start with SEC filings: every public company's 10-K has a detailed business description and risk factors
- Read industry association reports: most trade groups publish free annual data
- Follow earnings calls: competitors' earnings calls reveal industry trends
- Track job postings: high volume hiring in specific roles signals industry growth areas
- Monitor M&A activity: acquisition targets signal where value is concentrated
- Use Google Trends for consumer sector volume trends as a free leading indicator