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Form 8-K

Earnings Season

The 8-K is a current report a company files with the SEC when a significant event occurs that investors should know about.

Events such as a change in senior management, an acquisition or a bankruptcy filing fall under it, and most must be reported within four business days. Companies also usually furnish their quarterly earnings releases to the SEC on an 8-K, so on earnings day the first official filing is often an 8-K rather than the 10-Q.

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How to Read a 10-K and 10-QThe report a company signs and files with the SEC says what the press release doesn't; which five of the hundred pages matter.Earnings Reports: What to Read, HowThe book opens once a quarter — and the market really only reads three lines.