Finding Information about Businesses

Private vs. Public - What's the difference?

Private Companies

• may be corporations, partnerships and sole proprietorships
• may be large or small (example of large private company: Mars)
• not required to divulge details about company financials, business practices, etc., unless required by law to do so

Public Companies

• offer publicly traded stock or bonds
• regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
• required by federal law to disclose detailed financial data (sales, profits, etc.), executive compensation and other information
• examples of SEC requirements: Form 10-K, Shareholder Reports and Form 8-K

Image: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives