10-K vs 10-Q
A FilingRadar Editorial guide ·
10-K
Annual Report
A 10-K is the comprehensive annual report every US public company files with the SEC, covering financials, risks, and operations.
Full 10-K definition →10-Q
Quarterly Report
A 10-Q is the shorter quarterly report US public companies file for the first three quarters of each fiscal year.
Full 10-Q definition →Side-by-side: every attribute that matters
| Attribute | 10-K | 10-Q |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Once per fiscal year | Three times per year (Q1, Q2, Q3 only — Q4 rolls into 10-K) |
| Deadline (large accelerated filer) | 60 days after fiscal year-end | 40 days after quarter-end |
| Deadline (smaller / non-accelerated) | 75-90 days after fiscal year-end | 45 days after quarter-end |
| Audit status | Audited (independent auditor opinion) | Reviewed by auditor, not audited |
| Typical length | 150-400 pages | 40-120 pages |
| MD&A scope | Full-year + multi-year trends | Quarter and YTD only; refers back to 10-K |
| Risk factors | Full disclosure (Item 1A) | Updates only — material changes since last 10-K |
| Executive compensation detail | Cross-referenced from DEF 14A | Not included |
| Internal controls assessment | Management assessment + auditor attestation (SOX 404) | Disclosure of material changes only (SOX 302 cert) |
| Late-filing notification form | NT 10-K | NT 10-Q |
| Best for retail investors when | Doing a deep annual review of a company you own | Tracking quarter-over-quarter trends and footnote updates |
When to read which
Read 10-K when…
When you are doing your annual deep-read of a position, evaluating a new long-term holding, or studying multi-year trends. The 10-K is the most complete single document a US public company produces.
Read 10-Q when…
When you are following earnings season for companies you already own, watching for material trend changes, or fact-checking a quarterly press release against the audited footnotes.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between a 10-K and a 10-Q?
10-K (Annual Report) and 10-Q (Quarterly Report) are both SEC filings, but differ on audit status, deadline, length, and content scope. The table above lists every attribute that matters.
When should I read a 10-K?
When you are doing your annual deep-read of a position, evaluating a new long-term holding, or studying multi-year trends. The 10-K is the most complete single document a US public company produces.
When should I read a 10-Q?
When you are following earnings season for companies you already own, watching for material trend changes, or fact-checking a quarterly press release against the audited footnotes.
See 10-K and a 10-Q in real filings
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