Quite a few experts and organizations have written up quick (and not so quick) guides to using a 10-K. Each has slightly different emphasis — check out a few and see what works for you. Some of the best I’ve found:
You can also refer to the SEC’s official 10-K instructions if you really need to know what companies are supposed to do;
- the SEC’s basic 10-K description;
- Kiplinger’s 10-K Cheat Sheet: How to Speed Read a Company’s Annual Report;
- The Financialist’s even shorter, visual guide: Part 1 and Part 2;
- Investopedia’s guide;
- Anatomy of the 10-K, from the forums of Wall Street Oasis;
- a one-page guide, with links to more, from Baruch College;
- Ernst & Young’s comprehensive description of the 10-K (PDF).
