Question with finding stock companies' financial reports?

Hi all,

So I've been given this assessment from a PE firm for an upcoming internship opportunity. The task was for me to analyze 1800 companies and choose 100 compelling companies to analyze them. The firm asked for high EBITDA companies and explain why the 100 chosen firms are compelling in their fields and finally come up with an analysis report. So I figured that requires me to have access to financial reports. Therefore I spent a couple hours searching on the SEC site to find out whether a company is public or not because only public companies would reveal its statements right? out of the company list I was left with around 150 companies that have SEC records. However, I was having a hard time finding financial statements or more information about the company through NASDAQ and NYSE. Which didn't make sense to me because I assumed that if a company were to have the current year records on SEC, then it would also mean that it is on the stock market? Am I going into the wrong direction with this assessment or what? I'm pretty stuck here now so any advice or support would be very helpful and appreciated. Thanks!!!

Best,

5 Comments
 
Best Response

I would be weary of "tasks" like those. In most cases (especially if the "firm" is 1-2 employees), they are looking for free work, and have no intentions of hiring you as an intern. Think about it this way-- say the company sends out 15 of these "tasks" to students, they just got an analysis on a ton of companies for free. Genius if you come to think of it.

I say this because I was in a similar position last month, and opted out of completing this "task" because it seemed a little suspicious. Just giving you my two cents.

 

Repellendus et placeat similique et fugiat et. Et maiores debitis vel minima aut. Sequi in occaecati eligendi in nihil minima rerum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”