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10-Q
Annual Report
SEC
GAAP

10-K
Term category: Finance/Accounting
In 10 words or less: A company's annual report that it files with the SEC.

Definition: The Securities and Exchange Commission requires companies to file a annual report of their operations. This is not just an annual report like the public receives because the company is obligated to only use provable facts (no speculation about future prospects). This report also contains far more detailed information than a typical annual report.

Things you can find in the 10-K: Organizational structure, financial statements, management's discussions of results, pension assets and liabilities, risks involved in the business, competition, revenue breakdowns by segment, detailed notes, pending litigation, and many other forms of business data.

StockJargon advice: The 10-k is a great resource for researching your investments. In it, you will find detailed, straightforward information about the company, its subsidiaries, financials, earnings, etc.

Companies also publish annual reports. But these annual reports are usually no more than public relations pieces outlining how great the company is. Also, annual reports don't provide much accounting information so it's tough to tell from these if the company is doing anything fishy.  If you get an annual report, be sure to get your hands on a copy of the company's 10-k as well. Compare the two before making your investment decisions...

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The Interpretation of Financial Statements by Benjamin Graham
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