When Are 13F Filings Due? Quarterly SEC Deadlines

Form 13F is a standardized quarterly report that institutional investment managers must file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This filing serves to enhance transparency regarding the securities holdings of large institutional investors. This process supports investor confidence by making information about substantial holdings readily accessible.

Who Must File

An institutional investment manager is required to file Form 13F if it exercises investment discretion over an aggregate fair market value of at least $100 million in “Section 13(f) securities.” This threshold applies if the manager meets it on the last trading day of any month during a calendar year. Entities considered institutional investment managers include investment advisers, banks, insurance companies, broker-dealers, pension funds, and corporations.

“Section 13(f) securities” encompass a specific list of financial instruments that must be reported. These generally include U.S. exchange-traded stocks, shares of closed-end investment companies, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The list also extends to certain equity options, warrants, and convertible debt securities. The SEC publishes an Official List of Section 13(f) Securities quarterly to guide filers on what to include.

Securities not on this official list, such as shares of open-end investment companies (mutual funds), are not required to be reported on Form 13F. The reporting obligation applies whether the manager invests for its own account or on behalf of others.

The Filing Deadlines

Form 13F filings are required on a quarterly basis, providing a periodic snapshot of institutional holdings. Each report must be submitted to the SEC within 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter.

For instance, holdings as of March 31 (Q1) must be filed by May 15. Similarly, Q2 holdings (as of June 30) are due by August 14, and Q3 holdings (as of September 30) by November 14. Finally, holdings for the calendar year-end (Q4, as of December 31) are due by February 14 of the following year.

If the 45th day falls on a weekend or a federal holiday, the filing deadline is automatically extended to the next business day. This adjustment accommodates non-business days, ensuring filers have sufficient time to meet their obligations. Adherence to these deadlines is important for maintaining the timely flow of information into the public domain, supporting market transparency.

What Information is Disclosed

Form 13F filings provide specific details about the institutional investment manager’s holdings. Each report must include the name of the institutional investment manager making the filing. For every Section 13(f) security held, the filing lists the issuer’s name and a description of the class of security, such as common stock or a specific type of option.

The report also specifies the total number of shares held for each security. Alongside the share count, the total fair market value of each security as of the end of the reporting quarter is disclosed. A CUSIP number, a unique identification number for North American financial instruments, is also provided for each security. This data offers insight into the investment strategies of large institutions, allowing the public to understand investor sentiment and track ownership trends. While the filings provide a comprehensive overview of long equity positions, they do not require the disclosure of short positions.

How to Access 13F Filings

Form 13F filings are public records. The primary method for accessing these reports is through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) database, which houses a vast collection of filings.

To locate a specific filing, users can search the EDGAR database by the name of the institutional investment manager, their Central Index Key (CIK) code, or by selecting the form type “13F.” This allows for targeted searches to find reports from particular firms or to view all recently submitted 13F filings.

Beyond the official SEC database, many financial news websites and data providers compile and present 13F data in user-friendly formats. These platforms often offer additional analytical tools or visualizations, simplifying the process of reviewing and understanding institutional holdings. Accessing these filings can help individuals gain insight into the investment activities of significant market participants.