Smarter Industry Research with Global & Local SIC

Why One Classification System Is Never Sufficient

Global SIC Enables Standardization — But Lacks Local Nuance

Global industry classification systems such as SIC or NAICS were designed primarily for statistical reporting and cross-border comparability. Their greatest strength lies in standardization. For multinational benchmarking or high-level sector analysis, they provide a common language across jurisdictions for private equity investors, banks and M&A advisory teams evaluating companies in Asia incl. Southeast Asia.

However, that same standardization can dilute regional specificity. Relatively new sectors from a decade or so—such as super apps, digital payments ecosystems, or hybrid logistics platforms—are often absorbed into broad legacy categories. A company that operates across ride-hailing, food delivery, fintech and logistics may appear under a single, simplified label that does not reflect its true business model in regional markets.

This makes global codes effective for macro comparison, but insufficient for granular competitive analysis, deal sourcing or transfer pricing comparable analysis. When professionals rely on them alone, the search results can be technically correct yet strategically incomplete for investment and advisory work.

Local SIC Reflects Regulation—But Often Trails Innovation

Local SIC systems offer country-specific alignment. They reflect domestic regulatory frameworks, licensing categories and government filings. For compliance-driven research, transfer pricing analysis, or official reporting, this alignment is essential.

Yet local codes face a structural constraint: they evolve at the pace of regulation. In many Asian markets, classification updates lag behind digital transformation. Emerging sectors may be grouped into outdated categories.

This regulatory lens ensures formal accuracy but may fail to capture how businesses actually operate today. For analysts seeking realistic peer benchmarking for valuation, competitive analysis or transfer pricing, , this rigidity creates blind spots.

Speeda’s Proprietary Taxonomy Captures Market Reality

To bridge the gap between global consistency and local specificity, Speeda developed its own proprietary classification framework . Rather than replacing Global or Local SIC, it complements them.

Speeda’s taxonomy is structured to reflect how industries function in practice—not merely how they are registered. Nearly 600 industries are defined and continuously refined by analysts, allowing for granular distinctions such as information service  for healthcare, or financial.

Crucially, this system evolves with the market. When business models shift, classifications adapt accordingly. This dynamic approach ensures that users are not confined to outdated labels, but can analyse companies based on real operational activity and build more accurate peer sets for valuation, competitive benchmarking and deal sourcing.

The Power of Combining Global, Local and Proprietary Codes

Cross-Market Comparability Meets Country Precision

By integrating Global SIC and Local SIC codes within the same platform , Speeda allows users to toggle between lenses depending on their objective. Our users can toggle between using global SIC, local and Speeda industry codes. 

This layered structure means professionals no longer have to choose between breadth and depth. They can begin with a macro global scan, refine by country classification, and then drill down using Speeda’s industry taxonomy for precise targeting.

Multi-Industry Mapping Reflects Real Business Models

Traditional systems typically assign a single primary industry code. Yet modern firms, especially in Asia’s digital economy, rarely operate within one vertical.

Speeda enables multi-industry mapping, allowing companies to be classified across several relevant sectors. This approach dramatically improves benchmarking accuracy for private equity investment. Analysts can assess performance against true operational peers rather than companies that merely share a regulatory label. It also enhances competitive intelligence by revealing adjacent-sector overlaps that may not be visible through single-code systems.

Structured Taxonomy Supports Deeper Industry Analysis

Speeda’s proprietary framework is not only granular but hierarchically structured . Industries are broken down across multiple tiers, enabling users to move from macro categories to highly specific sub-verticals when building target lists or sector screens for investment, M&A and market entry projects.

The result is benchmarking grounded in operational similarity rather than administrative classification, leading to more defensible valuation and transfer pricing outcomes.

Search That Goes Beyond Codes

Keyword Search Captures Emerging Themes

Users can search by company name, business description, product offering or executive background. This enables thematic exploration.

By combining keyword logic with Global, Local and proprietary classifications, Speeda transforms industry search from a static filter into a dynamic research tool.

Financial Filters Define Strategic Thresholds

Industry relevance alone is insufficient without financial context. Speeda integrates financial filters—such as revenue, profit, and growth metrics — directly into the search process .

Users can screen for high-growth firms within a niche segment, combine size thresholds with industry filters for precise target lists, etc.

This layered approach allows professionals to define business thresholds alongside sector definitions. The result is not merely a list of companies, but a strategically aligned shortlist.

Customizable Logic for Broad or Targeted Objectives

Search customization sits at the center of Speeda’s framework . Users can cast a wide net across regions and sectors or narrow results through multi-factor filtering.

For example:

• A regional investor might begin with a global SIC filter across ASEAN.
  
• They can refine results using Speeda’s proprietary classification to isolate a specific digital sub-sector.
  
• Financial metrics and keywords can then be layered to identify scalable targets.
  

This adaptability ensures the platform supports both exploratory research and highly targeted screening for investment and acquisition.

From Classification to Competitive Intelligence

Enriched Profiles Provide Strategic Context

The value of classification lies not just in filtering but in what follows. Speeda links its classification framework to enriched company profiles, including financials, ownership, M&A deals and related news.

Once a peer group is identified, users can analyze:

• Revenue and margin trends
  
• Shareholder and subsidiary structures
  
• M&A activity
  
• Competitive positioning within defined industries
  

This integration transforms search results into actionable insight.

Industry Reports and Deal Data Validate Findings

Beyond company-level information, Speeda connects classification outputs to original industry reports and extensive M&A records .

Users can validate screening outcomes against:

• Market size and growth trends
  
• Value chain dynamics
  
• Competitive landscapes
  

This ensures that classification is not viewed in isolation, but embedded within broader strategic analysis for M&A, market entry and portfolio monitoring in Asia and Southeast Asia.

A Smarter Way to Navigate Asia’s Complexity

Global SIC codes provide cross-border comparability. Local SIC codes ensure regulatory alignment. Speeda’s proprietary classification captures emerging industries and real-world business models across Asia. nabling sharper company screening, more accurate competitive benchmarking, and more reliable market intelligence for investors and advisors.

Speeda brings together Global SIC, Local SIC and its own dynamically maintained taxonomy—alongside 12M+ company data, advanced financial filters, industry reports, 2.6 millions of M&A dataand expert network service. The result is faster, more precise Asian-focused business intelligence built for deal sourcing, industry research, peer comparison and valuation analysis.

Book a demo today or arrange a complimentary consultation to see how Speeda can elevate your industry research and target screening strategy.