Best tool/setup for working with SEC filings?
I recently started work at an IB and I am spending a lot of time with SEC filings – both on the financials and the text. I know my way around filings and have read numerous but everything was occasional research before I started work so efficiency was not issue. I am looking for tips and tools on working with SEC filings.
For example, how do you take notes on filings? I have coworkers that print 10-Ks/10-Qs and write notes on the margins. I can’t imagine finding anything (quickly) that I need with this system, though.
My current setup is searching and downloading the html from sec.gov and then saving it to pdf. The same setup was available in the 1990s so I am guessing there should be something better by now.
I am looking for the standard and best solution for a common task – working with SEC filings. Just as a Bloomberg terminal is the go-to solution for other tasks, what is the go-to solution for SEC filings? What do you use or know about? Paid and free suggestions welcome. Thanks.
Just use a pdf reader? Or go to the investor relations website and use the interactive investor kit to take notes etc
Yes, some investor relations websites are great but the they are all different so no standard process. With pdfs, how do you search across all your files for your notes or a piece of information that you once saw somewhere? The SEC website has good search but obviously not for your notes. And then when you find what need in the filing, you go again to the saved pdf... Am I the only one who is unhappy with this whole process?
Hi Bosworth,
I'm a software engineer and also a stock investor. I have the exactly same problem you mentioned in your thread.
I'd like to take notes directly on filings using my computer and also highlight some paragraphs. Also I'd like to see all my notes/highlights in one place. The most important, I'd like the system could automatically save my reading status and when I use another computer at home it will be automatically synchronized to the position I was reading last time.
I don't think this kind of system already exist. Actually I plan to develop one. I need you and other stock investors suggestions.
Thanks and best wishes!
Alex
You might want to try Contexxia. Makes SEC filings research (10-Ks and 10-Qs) easy. Helps you find period-on-period changes in text, events and financial numbers. Bookmark interesting stuff, save private notes, etc.
Looking for a way to get all SEC data for US Public companies in the last 5 years (Originally Posted: 01/16/2016)
Hello all! I am wondering if there is a way of getting 10ks for all US public companies via the SEC for the last 4-5 years. Is there an automatic way of doing this? I want to essentially have 1000s of 10ks in my computer. The SEC(to my knowledge) allows one at a time downloads and other companies do not allow you to replicate their data for commercial purposes. So my question is this, is there a provider that paid or free, that can help achieve this objective while still allowing me to resale the data in a way that I seem fit. In other words, I am not only going to be using the data for personal reasons but perhaps maybe a larger platform that I intend on using for commercial purposes. Please let me know any insight that you may have. Thanks!
ITs important to add that the SEC., to my knowledge does allow the data pulled from their site to be resold for commercial purposes but the third party websites that take the SEC data and put it on their own databases usually do not. So please let me know if you know any or have perhaps an easier solution. Thanks!
Bloomberg or SEC Filings? (Originally Posted: 08/05/2014)
Hi all,
Will be starting my first foray into investment banking as an intern next Wednesday and I expect that I'll be doing a lot of data mining for spreading comps. That being said, need practical advice on whether data providers like Bloomberg are used more often or SEC filings in extracting relevant data? (historical performance, growth rates etc)
I'll definitely use Bloomberg more (personally) but I understand SEC filings will provide you a great deal of qualitative understanding on the target.
Thanks!
SEC filings, always. Not only for data accuracy, but it's also easier for someone to check your work.
Always SEC filings - why would you go away from a primary source when you don't have to?
Honestly, I always pull from CapIQ (excellent Excel plugin!) and then check against SEC filings. For things like growth rates for pro formas, definitely SEC filings / earnings calls / analyst reports. For historical data, CapIQ/Bloomberg tends to be fine.
Bloomberg/Cap IQ both disappointingly inaccurate... Stick to 10Ks - might take you a bit more time but you'll be grateful when the associate doesn't shame you in front of the whole team for your 'mistakes'!
Yep, this. Don't even get me started on Factset.
Thank you guys for the feedback!
Easiest Way to Markup/Record 10-Ks? (Originally Posted: 04/12/2013)
I'm kind of sick of only looking at the computer screen and taking down notes by hand to save paper. Is there a way I could load up a 10-k on a tablet and use a stylist/keyboard attach to mark it up? I was considering using Microsoft Word + commenting but was curious as to if anyone else has already come up with a solution.
Get a Microsoft Surface Pro.
Download / print your 10Ks as PDFs then use the bookmark and highlight features. That combined with search capabilities should have you navigating 10Ks at lightning speed. No need to buy new equipment.
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