Libraries: Researching a Company: Annual Reports

Tutorials & Guides to Annual Reports

How to read annual reports
This guide by IBM provides a road map of understanding financials in a company's annual report.

White Paper: EDGAR 101

EDGAR 101 - Find information on public companies and the people who run them

How to Find an Annual Report

Most companies provide its annual reports on the company's website (for at least several years). Look for links to "Investor Relations," "Company Information," or "About Us" for annual reports. You can also use the links below for financial information

Public Register Online
PublicRegisterOnline.com is a FREE internet service. Registration is required because they may notify companies of your interest. Companies may choose to send you future correspondence.
The Annual Reports Service
Free annual reports searchable by industry, company name or exchange
SEC EDGAR Filings
From this page you can search for company information. Company filings are available starting in 1994.
SEDAR
www.sedar.com is the official site that provides access to most public securities documents and information filed by public companies and investment funds with the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) in the SEDAR filing system.

What is an Annual Report

The annual report to shareholders is the principal document used by most public companies to disclose corporate information to their shareholders. It is usually a state-of-the-company report, including an opening letter from the Chief Executive Officer, financial data, results of continuing operations, market segment information, new product plans, subsidiary activities, and research and development activities on future programs.

The Form 10-K, which must be filed with the SEC, typically contains more detailed information about the company’s financial condition than the annual report.

Source: SEC