| a statement prepared and distributed to the press by a public relations firm, governmental agency, etc. |
| press release n. An announcement of an event, performance, or other newsworthy item that is issued to the press. |
Press Release
If it's an earnings press release, the release will discuss the financial results of the company for the recently completed quarter and may provide comments from management. Press releases often list valuable contact information that can assist you in your research, such as the company's web address.
Investopedia Commentary
Remember that press releases are written by the companies, not by a reporter. Often, as you search online news databases, it may be difficult to distinguish between a press release and a news story written by a journalist. The best way to distinguish the two is by looking closely at the first couple words of the story, which is where the source of the story is usually identified. If the source is identified as "BusinessWire" or "PR Newswire" then it is a press release issued by a company.
See also: Investor Relations, Story Stock
