In today's academic landscape, high-quality financial research relies heavily on comprehensive databases that provide researchers with reliable, standardized data. 

Let's explore some of these essential resources and their applications in cutting-edge research.

CRSP: The Foundation of Stock Market Research

The Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP) database stands as a cornerstone of financial research. As demonstrated in Kilic, Yang, & Zhang's (2022) study on investment and profitability in asset pricing, CRSP provides extensive stock information from major U.S. exchanges including NYSE, Amex, and NASDAQ. The database's historical depth, reaching back to 1967, makes it particularly valuable for long-term market analysis.

When combined with Compustat (CRSP/Compustat Merged), as used by Sloan & Wang (2023) in their investigation of EPS growth and value investing, researchers can integrate stock market data with detailed financial statements. This merger creates a powerful tool for analyzing the relationship between company fundamentals and market performance.

Real-Time Market Intelligence

Modern research increasingly relies on real-time market intelligence platforms. FactSet, utilized by Dechow et al. (2024) in their study of Olympics-related stock performance, provides researchers with comprehensive market data and analytics. Similarly, Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S, employed by De la O & Myers (2024), offers crucial data on analyst expectations and forecasts, enabling researchers to study market sentiment and expectations formation.

Corporate Intelligence: Executive Data and Event Tracking

Several specialized databases focus on corporate events and executive information:

Capital IQ

As demonstrated in Eklund, Raj, & Eggers' (2024) research on managerial attention and opportunities, Capital IQ's Key Developments feature aggregates information from 20,000 news sources. This comprehensive coverage allows researchers to track corporate announcements and strategic decisions with unprecedented detail.

Compustat-Execucomp

Raffiee, Fehder, & Teodoridis (2022) showcase Execucomp's value in executive research by matching it with credit card spending data to reveal executive preferences. This database has become essential for research in corporate governance and executive behavior.

SDC Platinum

Shaffer's (2023) research on company valuations in takeovers highlights SDC Platinum's importance in M&A research. This database provides detailed information on corporate transactions and valuations, making it invaluable for studying corporate finance and market efficiency.

The Value and Impact of Financial Databases

The sophistication of these databases reflects the evolving demands of modern financial research. While traditional resources like CRSP remain foundational, newer platforms provide unprecedented granular data on market sentiment, corporate events, and executive behavior. This evolution enables researchers to explore previously understudied aspects of financial markets and corporate behavior with greater precision.

The Marshall School of Business's investment in these premium databases demonstrates their commitment to providing students with industry-standard tools. These are not your typical “library databases,” but rather professional-grade resources that prepare students for both academic research and industry applications.

The Marshall business librarians understand both the value and complexity of these resources. They stand ready to help users navigate this sophisticated information landscape, ensuring these powerful tools are accessible and effectively utilized by the Marshall community. For ‘Finance & Investment’ Research, visit our research guide: https://libguides.usc.edu/finance