Marketing and Industry, Company, and Market Analysis Research Guide

Many search engines and databases ask researchers to look up information by the NAICS /SIC codes.

• NAICS and SIC codes are codes which are used to identify a firm's business activity. These codes define or classify industries based on what they do and how they do it. SIC stands for Standard Industrial Classification and NAICS stands for North American Industrial Classification System. These codes are used by many databases, which allow you to filter by SIC.
• The NAICS system was adopted in 1997 to replace the SIC system. It was developed jointly by the U.S. Economic Classification Polity Committee (ECPC), Statistics Canada, and Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Geografia. - U.S. Census Bureau.

While the descriptions and definitions of NAICS/SIC codes are standardized, the application of a particular code to a particular entity is not. Individual companies can choose their primary NAICS/SIC codes at their own discretion, and research firms may sort companies by varying codes based on their own criteria for analysis. Searching by NAICS or SIC in different databases may produce lists of different companies and competitors.

How to Read a NAICS Code

The NAICS code usese a hierarchical structure. The organization of the NAICS Code can be seen below

• Sector (2nd digit)
• Subsector (3rd digit)
• Industry Group (4th digit)
• Industry (5th digit)
• National Industry (6th digit)

The above table and  more information about how to read and understand NAICS Codes can be found at:

NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems

How to read a SIC codes

Like the NAICS codes, the SIC codes use a hierarchical structure. The organization of the SIC codes can be seen below:

• Major Industry Group (2 digits)
• Industry Group (3rd digit)
• Industry (4th digit)

The table above and  more information about how to read and understand SIC Codes can be found at:

NAICS Association: How Do You Read an SIC Code?

The Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system (EDGAR) is the primary system for companies submitting documents.  It contains millions of company and individual filings. This is a free database and allows users to search for a public company's financial information. Users can also research information provided by "mutual funds (including money market funds), exchange-traded funds (ETFs), variable annuities, and individuals." - U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

For more information about EDGAR click here: About EDGAR

To access the EDGAR database to search for industry codes click the link below:

EDGAR (SEC)

The links below provide more information on the Industry Classification Codes. The NAICS and SIC Database links below also allow users to search for companies and industries by their individual codes.