EDGAR – Public Company Information
EDGAR – Public Company Information
Publicly traded companies are required to file reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These provide a wealth of information for research purposes over and above the financial data. The reports are available via EDGAR, the Electronic Data-Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system. Access is free through SEC’s web site, although fee based sources such as EDGAR OnLine or Morningstar offer enhanced search capabilities.
Financial statements form the core of the filings, and provide a source for the public to use to judge the investment potential of a company’s securities. But other information is extremely useful for research on companies and individuals. Filings provide:
- Information about the company’s business, including: year organized; form of organization; subsidiaries; principal products, markets, and distribution methods; number of employees and anticipated change by department; competitive conditions; and research and development.
- A list of the company’s officers and directors, including executive compensation and info on insider transactions and beneficial owner ship interest.
- Information on anticipated mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, bankruptcy petitions, and pending legal proceedings
- A list of all SEC registrants in a particular state or foreign country. Companies are also classified by industry utilizing SIC codes.
The SEC has published a guide that explains exactly where to find this information and more. Add EDGAR to your list of free tools for public company research!
26