Understanding SEC filing timing
In this guide, we'll look at the most common SEC filings and when they're typically submitted.
Annual Filings
Most public companies file a Form 10-K once each fiscal year.
The 10-K is the company's annual report and includes:
- Audited financial statements
- Business overview
- Risk factors
- Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A)
- Legal proceedings
The filing deadline depends on the company's reporting status and fiscal year-end. To learn more about annual reports, read our 10-K guide.
Quarterly Filings
During the first three fiscal quarters, most public companies file a Form 10-Q.
These reports provide updates on:
- Quarterly financial performance
- Revenue and earnings
- Changes in business operations
- Recent risks and developments
The fourth quarter is generally included in the annual 10-K rather than a separate 10-Q. For more detail, read our 10-Q guide.
Current Reports
Unlike annual and quarterly reports, Form 8-K doesn't follow a regular calendar.
Companies file an 8-K whenever a significant corporate event occurs, such as:
- Executive leadership changes
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Major agreements
- Other material business developments
As a result, 8-K filings can appear at any time during the year. Learn more in our 8-K filing guide.
Other Common Filing Schedules
Several other SEC filings follow recurring schedules.
- Form 13F - Filed quarterly by certain institutional investment managers.
- Form 4 - Filed after many reportable insider transactions.
- DEF 14A (Proxy Statement) - Typically filed before a company's annual shareholder meeting.
- Form 20-F - Filed annually by many foreign private issuers.
- Form 6-K - Filed as needed by foreign private issuers to report material information.
Why the Filing Calendar Matters
Understanding when different filings are typically submitted helps investors:
- Prepare for earnings seasons
- Monitor important company disclosures
- Compare companies over time
- Stay informed throughout the year
Rather than checking for updates randomly, following the SEC filing calendar provides a structured way to monitor the companies you follow. To automate updates, read our SEC filing alerts guide.
Save SEC Filings as Clean PDFs
Reading SEC filings online can be inconvenient, especially when you want to save, print, or annotate them later. With SEC Filing PDF Generator, you can convert SEC filings into clean, downloadable PDFs in just a few clicks.
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