1. Sector Analysis

2. Research Questions
1. What are the sector’s dominant economic traits (Market size; scope of competitive rivalry-regional, national, global; market growth rate, stage in the growth cycle; number of rivals, and their relative size and strength; prevalence of backward or forward integration; pace of technological change; scale economies available; capacity utilization; capital requirements; industry profitability; and attractiveness)?

3. 2. What competitive forces are at work in the sector and what impact will they have?
3. What are the drivers of change in the sector and what impact will they have on the current sector structure?

4. 4. What companies are in the strongest/weakest competitive position
4. What companies are in the strongest/weakest competitive position?  Why?
5. Which company is likely to make competitive moves next?

5. 6. What key factors will determine competitive success or failure?
7. How attractive is the sector over all in attracting investors and maintaining profitability?

6. Content Outline 1. Explain & Define the Sector
Provide a clear sector definition
Explain the criteria used for sector definition
Describe the industry sector subset focused on by the team
Explain the team’s rationale for selecting the industry sector subset

7. 2. Major Competitors in the Sector (or sector subset)
Provide a comprehensive list of industry competitors
Explain logic for choosing specific competitors
Provide a brief overview of each competitor/competitor group
Explain competitor strengths/weaknesses

8. 3. Macroeconomic Impacts on the Sector
Analyze the sector’s dominant economic traits
Explain the market size and growth rate
Describe the scope of competitive rivalry
Provide a description of key international and domestic macroeconomic issues facing the firms in this sector

9. 4. Sector Health & Vitality
Analyze the competitive forces at work
Explain the sector’s attractiveness to potential new entrants & new investors
Provide key sector success factors
Describe the overall health of the sector and its firms
Explain current sector opportunities and problems
Provide a summary analysis of the sector’s recent financial performance (last 2 to 4 years)

10. 5. Future Issues
Explain the drivers for change within the sector & from the remote environment
Analyze likely competitor next moves, reactions
Describe the impact of change on key sector participants
Provide your team’s best estimate on how the change drivers and competitor actions/reactions will alter the sector over the next few years

11. 6. Research Quality & References
Provide a complete bibliography of sources used (cited) to demonstrate quality & depth of your team’s research
Show depth & variety of research
Demonstrate throughout the presentation that the team’s research and information in focused and relevant to the topic

12. Standard and Poors
SEC
Library
Internet