In conducting a SWOT analysis, a company's ___ should be assessed in terms of new competitors, possible resource shortages, changing market tastes, substitute products, and new regulations.

A) strategies
B) strengths
C) weakness
D) opportunities
E) threats

SWOT analysis involves assessing a company's internal strengths and weaknesses as well as external opportunities and threats. In this specific question, the items mentioned (new competitors, resource shortages, changing market tastes, substitute products, and new regulations) all refer to potential external threats that could impact the company's business operations. Therefore, the correct answer is E) threats.