Metals firm Alcoa Inc. will separate into two standalone, publicly traded companies.  

"In the last few years, we have successfully transformed Alcoa to create two strong value engines that are now ready to pursue their own distinctive strategic directions,” Chairman and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld said in a news release.

Alcoa’s upstream company, which will keep the Alcoa name, will focus on bauxite, alumina and aluminum, casting and energy. The value-add company, which has not yet been named, will include global rolled products, engineered products, and transportation and construction solutions.

Through Profound, users can access the world’s leading business intelligence providers in one convenient platform. With more than 200 publishers across 700 industry sectors, Profound offers a vast array of market research reports to choose from.

In this new blog series, we’ll give you an inside look at specific publishers on Profound. You'll have the opportunity to learn more about the reports they publish and what differentiates them from other publishers on the market.

Today, we’re interviewing Aroq, publisher of just-auto, just-drinks, just-food, and just-style — a publisher that provides timely news, analysis, and market intelligence. Find out more in the Q&A below.

Market research can help you reduce risks, stay ahead of the competition, and accurately gauge the pulse of the market. With the right business intelligence, you can win buy-in from executives to launch new, exciting concepts and develop products that customers love. 

Market research is undoubtedly a powerful business tool, but the way you conduct market research matters, too. It’s important to have a strategic approach to achieve the results you want. For some practical market research tips, check out the do’s and don’ts below.

As Pope Francis arrives for his first visit to the U.S., the media spotlight will turn to the Catholic Church. In this blog post, we’ll help set the stage for his visit by taking a step back to explore different factors that are shaping the role of religion. What does survey data tell us about the demographics behind religion? And what religious trends can we expect to see in the future? Will Pope Francis manage to increase the appeal of the church through his visit? Read on for some possible answers.

Fear can have a powerful chilling effect on business. “A lot of good ideas don’t get turned into companies because the potential founders are too fearful,” Dr. Philipp K. Berger recently told the Wall Street Journal.

A management consultant turned researcher, Dr. Berger surveyed nearly 600 entrepreneurs to better understand the role of fear within start-ups. According to his findings, entrepreneurs are particularly prone to anxiety and decision overload. However, breaking down large decisions into smaller steps can help entrepreneurs cope and keep moving forward.

An essential component of clinical care, in-vitro diagnostics tests can detect a wide range of diseases, infections, and conditions, from sexually-transmitted diseases to different types of cancer.

In the next five to ten years, the in-vitro diagnostics markets (IVD) in Europe, Japan, and the U.S. are expected to experience only modest growth. In contrast, developing and emerging markets will drive increased demand for IVD as a growing middle class and aging population seek out healthcare services.

Market research is an indispensible tool, whether you are launching a new product or fine-tuning your marketing strategy, but some consultants and small business owners assume it will be too costly or time consuming to use on an on-going basis.

“Because of time and budget constraints, many small/mid-sized businesses make consumer insights an afterthought, not realizing that’s precisely what will propel their companies to the next level,” says Renita Bryant, co-founder & chief consultant at SightsSet, a consumer-centric consultancy.

Within the credit card sector, innovative technologies are changing the way people make purchases.

Mobile and alternative payments are experiencing significant growth, with a range of payment providers in the mix including PayPal, MasterPass by MasterCard, Apple Pay, Amazon Payments, and Google Wallet.

In addition, co-branded credit cards continue to lure affluent households and millennial shoppers — which are prime demographics in the payments industry.

Market research is critical for making sound business decisions. But don’t take it from us — we asked a variety of business professionals, entrepreneurs, and consultants from different industries to answer the question, “Why does market research matter?”

Here, we’ve gathered their real-world insights to illustrate the benefits high-quality market research can provide for all types of businesses. Read on to learn more. 

With the markets in flux, anxiety about the global economy is kicking into high gear. The Chinese stock market plunged on Monday, setting off a roller-coaster ride of volatility throughout the week. Investor confidence fell, and Wall Street dropped for six straight days — the longest losing stretch for more than three years.

Since June 12, the Shanghai composite index has slumped 38 percent, and investors are becoming increasingly concerned about China’s economic slowdown and the larger ripple effects that could extend into the global economy.

How should you react in such a turbulent environment? Here are guiding principles to keep in mind.