Every SEC filing type tells a different story. This guide explains what each filing means, why it matters for stock prices, and how to trade the catalyst. All filings are tracked live in our scanner.
8-K — Current Report (Material Event)An 8-K is filed when a material event happens — earnings surprises, CEO changes, mergers, acquisitions, bankruptcies, or significant contracts. This is the most catalyst-rich filing type.
8-Ks often contain the first public disclosure of market-moving news. They can trigger same-day gaps of 5-50%+ depending on the event. The filing appears on EDGAR before most news outlets cover it.
10-K — Annual ReportThe 10-K is the comprehensive annual financial report. Contains audited financials, management discussion, risk factors, and business overview. Most information is already known from quarterly reports and earnings calls.
Sometimes reveals hidden risks, restated financials, or going concern warnings not disclosed in 10-Qs. Compare year-over-year trends in revenue, margins, and debt levels. Late 10-K filings (see NT 10-K below) are a red flag.
10-Q — Quarterly ReportUnaudited quarterly financials filed 3 times per year (Q1, Q2, Q3 — the Q4 is covered by the 10-K). Contains income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow.
Revenue trajectory, cash burn rate, and margin expansion/compression. Often released same day as earnings, but may contain footnotes with material disclosures the earnings call skipped.
Form 4 — Insider TransactionsFiled within 2 business days when company insiders (officers, directors, 10%+ shareholders) buy or sell shares. Must disclose exact shares, price, and whether it was a purchase or sale.
Cluster buys — when multiple insiders buy within a short window — are one of the strongest bullish signals in finance. Insiders have the best information about their company's future. Academic research shows insider buying predicts outperformance.
SC 13D — Activist Ownership StakeFiled when someone acquires 5%+ of a company with intent to influence management. This is the activist investor filing — they want changes (board seats, strategy shift, spinoff, or sale).
SC 13D filings regularly trigger 10-30% moves. The activist premium comes from expected corporate changes: cost-cutting, asset sales, or outright acquisition. The filing includes the investor's stated intentions.
SC 13G — Passive Ownership StakeFiled when someone acquires 5%+ of a company as a passive investment (no intent to influence management). Index funds and institutions file 13G, not 13D.
Watch for 13G → 13D amendments — when a passive holder converts to activist status. That transition is a major catalyst. Also watch for institutional accumulation patterns.
Track institutional signals →SC TO-T — Tender OfferFiled when a company makes a formal offer to buy shares of another company directly from shareholders. This is a public acquisition bid with a stated price and timeline.
Tender offers typically come at a 20-50% premium to current price. The spread between current price and tender price represents the merger arbitrage opportunity. Watch for competing bids that raise the price further.
Track merger signals →S-3 — Shelf RegistrationAllows a company to sell new shares to the public at any time over the next 3 years. The filing itself doesn't mean shares will be sold immediately, but it signals the company is preparing to raise capital by diluting existing shareholders.
S-3 filings often cause 5-15% drops on the fear of dilution. Small-cap and biotech companies use these frequently. If followed by an actual offering, expect further downside.
NT 10-K / NT 10-Q — Late Filing NotificationFiled when a company cannot meet its SEC reporting deadline. "NT" stands for "Notification of Late Filing." The company must explain why and provide an expected filing date.
Common reasons: accounting problems, auditor changes, internal control weaknesses, or pending restatements. Historically, NT filers underperform the market over the next 90 days. But if insiders are simultaneously buying, the delay may be procedural.
Track late filings →DEFA14A — Proxy Solicitation MaterialsAdditional proxy materials sent to shareholders before a vote. Often related to mergers, board elections, or activist campaigns. Multiple DEFA14A filings in succession signal an active proxy fight.
Proxy fights create volatility. Watch for competing DEFA14A filings from management and activist investors — each side trying to sway shareholders. The outcome can trigger significant repricing.
13F — Institutional Holdings ReportQuarterly report filed by institutional investment managers with $100M+ in assets. Discloses all equity holdings as of quarter end. Filed 45 days after quarter end.
Reveals where hedge funds and large institutions are positioning. When multiple independent funds increase positions in the same stock, it signals institutional consensus. The data is delayed (45 days) but still valuable for identifying trends.
Track 13F signals →8-A — Securities RegistrationFiled to register a class of securities under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act. Usually filed by companies going public or listing on a new exchange.
Can signal upcoming IPO or exchange listing. Watch for 8-A filings combined with S-1 (IPO registration) for new listing opportunities.
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