What is a Form 8-K filing?
In one line: A Form 8-K is a "current report" US public companies file with the SEC to announce major events, generally within four business days.
What triggers an 8-K
The 10-K comes once a year. The 8-K is for news that can't wait. Companies file one when something major happens, such as:
- Signing or ending a major deal, like a merger.
- A CEO or other top officer leaving or joining.
- Quarterly results being released (often attached to the earnings press release).
- A bankruptcy filing.
- Changing auditors, or saying past financial statements can't be relied on.
- A material cybersecurity incident.
For most events, the deadline is four business days after it happens.
A simple example
A company's CEO resigns on a Monday. By Friday that week, the company files an 8-K saying so, with the date and any details about a replacement.
Or a company announces it's being acquired at $45 a share. The 8-K often attaches the merger agreement, so anyone can read the terms.
How to find them
8-Ks are free on the SEC's EDGAR system at sec.gov/edgar/search. Search the company and filter by form type "8-K." EDGAR also lists the newest filings across all companies as they arrive.
Why it matters for traders
Big news moves stocks fast. Often it shows up as a press release and an 8-K at almost the same time. Sometimes it arrives outside market hours, which can cause a Gap at the next open.
Reading the 8-K itself, not just a headline about it, tells you exactly what the company said. Headlines can get details wrong.
A common mistake
Reacting to the headline instead of the filing. "Company files 8-K" isn't news by itself. Thousands are filed every week, many about routine things. Open it and check which event item it covers before deciding it matters.
For earnings, the 8-K usually attaches the press release. The full quarterly numbers come later in the 10-Q.
Questions
How fast must an 8-K be filed?
For most events, within four business days.
Is an 8-K good or bad news?
Neither by itself. It's just the form for major events. The content is what matters.
What's the difference between an 8-K and a 10-Q?
An 8-K reports a specific event soon after it happens. A 10-Q is the regular quarterly report with financial statements.
Want the next step? We'll walk you through it.
Four free lessons by email, one every few days — each with a 10-minute exercise on a real chart.
Send Me the Free Lessons 4 short emails · No spam · Unsubscribe anytimeOr see the whole method, step by step:
See What’s Inside the Course Try everything free first. Decide when you're ready. · Open the free chart tool (works in the TradingView phone app)One chart idea a day, in plain English. Follow along: