Business news is the reporting of current events related to the world of commerce and finance. It can encompass a wide variety of topics, including but not limited to the performance of different companies, economic trends, stock market updates, mergers and acquisitions, government regulations and global trade. Business news is commonly found in newspapers, magazines, television broadcasts and the internet.
A business is an organisation that exchanges goods and/or services in return for money. The aim of most businesses is to make a profit on the money invested into the company. A company can be privately owned, or it may be publically listed on a stock exchange and therefore owned by the general public (i.e., a publicly-owned corporation). Some businesses are not for profit and invest all profits back into the company or into community projects. A business can be operated by a sole proprietor, a partnership, a corporation or a trust.
Companies are a major source of revenue for many governments and economies. A country’s GDP is usually measured by the number of businesses operating within its borders. A successful business can be a large or small operation, specializing in a specific product or service, or operating on a global scale. Some of the largest businesses in the world are retail outlets like Amazon or Walmart, technology firms such as Apple or Google, or industrial manufacturers such as Caterpillar or Boeing.
In addition to news organizations, there are also a number of specialized business publications. These often focus on a particular industry and provide news and analysis specifically about that sector. These include industry journals, newsletters, newspapers and magazines. There are also a number of trade associations that publish industry journals and provide members with networking opportunities and education.
As a writer for Business News Daily, Skye Schooley researches and writes about human resources issues and trends, with an emphasis on business solutions. She has reviewed a broad range of HR products and services, including employee monitoring software, time and attendance systems and workplace productivity tools. She has a strong background in writing and editing, with experience at both local and national publications.
The Library of Congress offers a rich collection of print and microform business news sources, both national and international. This guide provides an introduction to the various types of business news available, and suggests strategies for finding additional information on specific topics. It is intended to serve as a starting point for research and should not be considered an exhaustive list of sources.
This guide is designed to help researchers find news about the business and finance worlds. It focuses on the United States and contains some references to international business news sources, but these are not covered in detail. Researchers who need to find international business news sources will need to use more sophisticated search techniques, and should consult a separate guide, such as the Business Reference Services Research Guide. If you have any questions about this guide or need additional assistance with your business research, please feel free to contact a librarian.