The filings are free.
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What it is. The big yearly report: audited full-year financials plus the business overview, risk factors, and management's discussion (MD&A).

Why it matters. The deepest, most complete look at a company's health, written under the strictest scrutiny of the year.

Stock impact. The headline numbers are usually already known from earnings, so the move is often small, but buried risk factors, going-concern language, or footnote surprises can sink a stock.

What it is. The lighter, unaudited quarterly version of the 10-K: financials for the three months just ended.

Why it matters. Shows the trajectory between annual reports. Is growth speeding up or stalling?

Stock impact. Reactions track the quarterly earnings beat or miss; weakening margins or guidance cuts inside it can move the stock hard.

What it is. The "breaking news" filing, required within 4 business days of any major event: M&A, a CEO change, bankruptcy, a big contract, delisting, or the earnings release itself.

Why it matters. This is where surprises live. If something material just happened, it's in an 8-K.

Stock impact. Can move the stock immediately and sharply, both ways. The single filing type most likely to cause a same-day gap.

What it is. An insider (officer, director, or 10%+ owner) bought or sold company stock. Filed within 2 business days of the trade.

Why it matters. Insiders know their company better than anyone; their own money is a signal worth watching.

Stock impact. Cluster buying by multiple insiders is often read as bullish conviction; heavy selling can be a yellow flag, though insiders sell for many innocent reasons (taxes, diversification).

What it is. The first filing someone makes when they become an insider (new officer, director, or 10% owner), declaring their starting stake.

Why it matters. Establishes the baseline of who's an insider and what they already own.

Stock impact. Rarely a price mover on its own; it's a registration, not a trade.

What it is. A year-end cleanup filing for insider transactions that didn't have to be reported on a Form 4 (small or exempt trades).

Why it matters. Closes the loop so the full year of insider activity is on record.

Stock impact. Low; it's a reconciliation filing, not breaking activity.

What it is. A quarterly disclosure of stock holdings by institutions managing over $100M: hedge funds, asset managers, big money.

Why it matters. Shows what the smart money owns and how positions changed last quarter.

Stock impact. Reveals institutional positioning, but it's delayed up to 45 days: informative for conviction, not for timing.

What it is. Filed when someone takes a 5%+ stake with intent to influence the company: an activist investor or potential acquirer.

Why it matters. Signals a campaign may be coming: board fights, a breakup, or a takeover.

Stock impact. Frequently pops the stock; the market prices in activism or acquisition potential.

What it is. The passive cousin of the 13D: a 5%+ holder with no intent to influence management (often an index fund or long-term holder).

Why it matters. Shows a large, but hands-off, owner.

Stock impact. Milder than a 13D: big ownership without the activist catalyst.

What it is. The registration a private company files to go public: its first full disclosure of financials, risks, and how shares will be offered.

Why it matters. It's the company stepping onto the public market for the first time.

Stock impact. Sets up the IPO; for already-public names, related registrations can signal new share issuance.

What it is. The final prospectus for selling new shares, often a secondary offering by an already-public company.

Why it matters. New shares mean the existing pie is sliced into more pieces (dilution).

Stock impact. Often pressures the stock short-term on dilution fears, especially if priced below market.

What it is. The proxy sent before the annual meeting: executive pay, board nominees, and the issues shareholders vote on.

Why it matters. The window into governance, incentives, and who's steering the company.

Stock impact. Usually low impact, but contested board votes, a proxy fight, or controversial pay can matter.

What it is. A notice that an insider intends to sell restricted/control shares soon.

Why it matters. A heads-up that insider selling is coming, before the Form 4 confirms it happened.

Stock impact. Can weigh on sentiment if the planned sale is large relative to volume.