10-K

In this article, we'll explain everything you need to know about 10-K reports, including their definition, what's included, instructions on how to access them, and where to find them.

Definition of a 10-K Report

A 10-K report is a comprehensive financial report that is required to be filed annually by publicly traded companies with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It provides a detailed overview of a company's financial performance and condition, including its revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities, and other important information.

What's Included in a 10-K Report?

10-K reports contain a wealth of information about a company's financial performance and condition. Some of the key items that are typically included in a 10-K report are:

  • A company's financial statements, including its income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement.
  • A description of a company's business, including its products and services, markets, and competitive landscape.
  • A discussion of a company's financial risks and uncertainties.
  • Information about a company's management and governance, including the names and backgrounds of its board of directors and key executives.
  • A description of a company's legal proceedings and any material events that may have occurred during the year.

Five common sections

In addition to the information mentioned above, 10-K reports are typically divided into several distinct sections, each of which covers a specific aspect of a company's financial performance and condition. Here are five common sections that you might find in a 10-K report:

  1. Financial statements: This section includes a company's income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement, as well as any accompanying notes and disclosures. These statements provide detailed information about a company's revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities, and cash flow.
  2. Management's discussion and analysis (MD&A): This section provides a narrative overview of a company's financial performance and condition, as well as a discussion of any significant trends or events that may have occurred during the year. The MD&A typically includes a discussion of a company's revenues, expenses, profitability, liquidity, and other key financial metrics.
  3. Business overview: This section provides a high-level description of a company's business, including its products and services, markets, and competitive landscape. It may also include information about a company's history, mission, and long-term strategic objectives.
  4. Risk factors: This section lists and discusses the key risks and uncertainties that may impact a company's financial performance and condition. These risks may be financial, operational, legal, or related to other factors.
  5. Legal proceedings: This section provides information about any material legal proceedings that may be pending or have been completed during the year. This may include lawsuits, regulatory investigations, or other types of legal action.

By understanding these key sections of a 10-K report, investors and other stakeholders can gain a more complete understanding of a company's financial performance and condition.

Instructions on How to Access a 10-K Report

There are a few different ways to access 10-K reports:

  • The SEC's EDGAR database: This is a free online database that allows you to search for and view 10-K reports and other public company filings. To access a 10-K report through EDGAR, simply go to the EDGAR website and search for the company's name or ticker symbol.
  • Company websites: Many publicly traded companies make their 10-K reports available on their own websites, either in the “Investor Relations” section or through a link on their homepage.
  • Financial news and research websites: Some financial news and research websites, such as Yahoo Finance or Google Finance, allow you to access 10-K reports for publicly traded companies.

Where to Find a 10-K Report

As mentioned above, there are a few different places where you can find 10-K reports:

  • The SEC's EDGAR database: This is the official source for 10-K reports and other public company filings.
  • Company websites: Many publicly traded companies make their 10-K reports available on their own websites.
  • Financial news and research websites: Some financial news and research websites, such as Yahoo Finance or Google Finance, allow you to access 10-K reports for publicly traded companies.

We hope this article has helped you to understand 10-K reports and how to access them. Whether you're an investor looking to research a company or a business owner preparing to file your own 10-K report, we hope you now have a better understanding of what these reports are and how to find them.