Public companies function in a market where transparency always matters. They are legally required to share certain detailed information regarding their business and financial activities, ownership, and important events that might influence the shareholders.
For a regulated disclosure of such information, companies submit SEC filings through EDGAR system, and the information is then disseminated for anyone to access.
In this article, we’ll explore what SEC filings are, why they matter, and walk you through the 10 most common SEC filings for public companies. Check the following list of the SEC filings covered in this guide:
- 1. Form 10-K
- 2. Form 10-Q
- 3. Form 8-K
- 4. Proxy Statement
- 5. Forms 3, 4, and 5
- 6. Schedule 13D
- 7. Form S-1
- 8. Form S-3
- 9. Form S-4
- 10. Form 144
What Are SEC Filings?
SEC filings are official and formal documents that publicly traded companies, insiders, and large shareholders are required to submit to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These filings contain important information about a company’s business activities, finances, and ownership.
The main purpose of SEC filings is to:
- - Protect investors and ensure a transparent market
- Prevent fraud and manipulation of markets
- Ensure all participants in the market have equal accessibility to the same information at the same time
There are various types of SEC filings, such as annual filings, quarterly filings, current event filings, ownership filings, proxy filings, registration filings, and more. Once submitted, these documents become a public record and can be accessed at zero cost through the EDGAR database maintained by SEC.
10 Most Common SEC Filings for Public Companies
There are different types of SEC filings public companies may file. Among them, some filings focus on financial performance, some others cover business events, ownership changes and so on.
In this section, you’ll read about the most common types of SEC filings as well as why and when they are used for.
1. Form 10-K (Annual Filing)
Form 10-K is an annual SEC filing that provides a overall insight into a company’s operations as well as its financial situation. It’s an audited document that is more detailed compared to the yearly report submitted to the shareholders.
Generally, Companies submit the Form 10-K within 60 to 90 days after the end of their fiscal year. The Form 10-K typically comprises of:
- - Audited financial statements like income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement
- Management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A)
- Risks, legal proceedings, and regulatory issues related information
2. Form 10-Q (Quarterly Filing)
Form 10-Q is a quarterly SEC filing that provides an update showing how a public company’s financial performance and ongoing operations are. It is essentially a similar but shorter version of Form 10-K and it’s filed more frequently.
It’s mandatory for companies to file Form 10-Q for the first three quarters of the fiscal year. However, the filing must be submitted within the 40 to 45 days after the end of the quarter, depending on the company’s size.
Unlike the 10-K, the financial statements in a 10-Q are unaudited. It contains:
- - Financial statements on a quarterly basis
- Changes in capital structure or share buybacks
- Notes on inventory, or operational risks
3. Form 8-K (Current Filing for Material Events)
Form 8-K is an SEC filing that shares important events that happen outside a company’s regular reporting schedule. It is filed to keep the investors informed when something occurs that could significantly affect the company or its stock price.
Unlike Forms 10-K and 10-Q, Form 8-K is event-driven, not periodic. Public companies need to file it within 4 business days after the event takes place.
So, the kind of information a Form 8-K filing includes:
- - Appointment or resignation of senior executives or board members
- Mergers, acquisitions, or the sale of major assets
- Bankruptcy or serious financial problems
- Signing or ending major contracts or agreements
- Changes to shareholder rights or exchange listing status
4. Proxy Statement (DEF 14A)
A proxy statement is a SEC filing a public company provides before a shareholder meeting. It is often filed as DEF 14A. It works like a voting guide, helping shareholders understand what decisions will be made and why they matter.
Because most shareholders can’t attend the meeting in person, the proxy statement explains the core topics and allows them to vote in advance. And voting is usually done online, by mail or by phone through a designated representative.
A proxy statement typically includes the following things:
- - The items shareholders will vote on such as electing directors
- Details about executive compensation, including pay and bonuses
- Information about the board and director compensation
- Shareholder proposals and management recommendations
5. Forms 3, 4, and 5 (Insider Ownership Filings)
Forms 3, 4, and 5 are the useful SEC filings that track stock ownership by company insiders. Whoever you are, whether a company officer, a director, or someone who owns more than 10% of a company’s shares, you must file these SEC filings. These disclose what you own and the report for any changes in ownership.
Here’s how each form is used for:
- - Form 3: This filing is filed when someone first becomes an insider. It shows their initial share of ownership.
- Form 4: This is used when an insider buys or sells shares or when their ownership changes in any way.
- Form 5: This is filled once a year to summarize insider transactions and disclose anything that was not reported before.
6. Schedule 13D
Schedule 13D is an SEC filing used when an investor or a group acquires more than 5% of a public company’s shares. It helps inform the market when a shareholder starts holding enough shares to influence the company.
When an investor crosses the 5% ownership level, this filing must be submitted within 5 days (previously 10 days under prior SEC rules). A Schedule 13D explains who the buyer is, how many shares they own, and the class of securities purchased.
It also discloses what is the source of the money and their intent to buy the stake as well as their plan to influence, control, or push for changes at the company.
7. Form S-1 (Initial Public Offering Registration Filing)
Form S-1 is the kind of SEC filing that a company files when it goes public for the first time. It contains the company’s prospectus that clearly explains the business model, financial condition, risks, and how the money raised from the IPO will be used.
8. Form S-3 (Simplified Registration Filing)
Form S-3 is a shorter, simplified SEC filing used for certain securities offerings, but only for companies that already meet specific eligibility requirements (for example, having a history of SEC filings and meeting certain thresholds).
The main idea is simple: if a company qualifies, it can raise capital more efficiently using Form S-3, without repeating as much background information.
9. Form S-4 (Merger and Acquisition Filing)
Form S-4 is an SEC filing used during mergers, acquisitions, or share-exchange deals. If one company is buying another company and issuing shares as part of the deal, Form S-4 is commonly required.
It gives investors the key details behind the transaction, such as:
- - What the deal is and why the companies are doing it
- Important risks and conditions of the transaction
- Financial information related to the companies involved
- What shareholders may receive in the exchange
10. Form 144 (Proposed Sale of Restricted Securities)
Form 144 is a notice filing used when certain holders plan to sell restricted or controlled securities. It’s commonly associated with insiders (like executives or large shareholders) who want to sell shares under SEC rules. It’s generally filed when the planned sale is large enough.
In simple terms, Form 144 tells the market: Someone who holds restricted/control shares intends to sell.
Where to Look Up SEC Filings
SEC filings are public documents, and you can easily access them for free. The main source where you can get these filings is the SEC’s EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system) system. This is the official database where public companies submit all required filings.
As everything is under one database, you can find any of the SEC filings discussed above. The information available on EDGAR is both reliable and timely.
To use EDGAR, simply enter the company name, ticker, CIK number or individual's name, and view documents after they are published. You can also filter your search by filing type, date, or location to get more compact results.
For analysts and teams working with large volumes of data, modern tools and APIs can make this process even more efficient. These tools help users search SEC filings by text content, track changes over time, and monitor new disclosures automatically. And this reduces hours of manual work and saves significant time when reviewing filings.
Importance of SEC Filings
SEC filings are important because they:
- - Provide legally verified disclosures
- Reduce information asymmetry
- Support informed investment decisions
- Enable regulatory oversight
- Serve as historical records of corporate behavior
For analysts and teams, filings are more reliable than press releases or media summaries because misstatements carry legal consequences.
Bottom Line
So far, you’ve seen how different SEC filings help public companies share important information with the market. From financial disclosures to ownership updates and significant business events, each filing serves a specific purpose. By understanding all of these common SEC filings, you can better follow what’s happening inside a company and know where to find reliable information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of a proxy statement?
The purpose of a proxy statement is to explain shareholder’s voting matters. It includes executive compensation, board details, governance practices, and proposals.
Are SEC filings only for investors?
No. Mostly investors use SEC filings. But analysts, auditors, regulators, legal teams, and journalists also use SEC filings. Actually, anyone who wants verified information about a public company can rely on these filings.
Which SEC filing is the most detailed?
The Form 10-K is the most detailed SEC filing. It provides a full overview of a company’s business, financial performance, risks, and accounting policies for the year.
How is a quarterly filing different from an annual filing?
Quarterly filings, such as the Form 10-Q, provide updates on a company’s performance during the year. In contrast, annual filings, like the Form 10-K, give a complete and audited summary of the entire year.
What do insider ownership filings show?
Insider ownership filings show how much company stock executives and directors own and when they buy or sell shares. These filings help investors track insider activity
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
