If you track business performance or follow market news, the 8-K report is one of the most important documents you can access. It’s an official disclosure companies file with the SEC whenever a major event occurs — such as leadership changes, acquisitions, or earnings announcements. In this guide, I show exactly how to find a company’s 8-K report quickly and for free.

While annual (10-K) and quarterly (10-Q) reports provide regular updates, the 8-K captures real-time events that can affect a company’s stock or reputation.

Here’s how to locate it easily:

1. Go to the SEC’s EDGAR Database
Head to sec.gov/edgar. This is the official U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website where all corporate filings are stored.

2. Use the Search Tool
Enter the company name or ticker symbol. For example: Microsoft or MSFT.

3. Filter for “8-K”
Scroll through the list and look for filings labeled Form 8-K. The most recent will appear near the top of the list.

4. Open the Filing
Click Documents, then open the main file (usually in HTML). You can view it directly in your browser or download it as a PDF.

5. Review the Key Details
Each 8-K filing includes:

  • Date of the event

  • Description of what happened

  • Financial or leadership implications

These filings help investors and researchers understand how sudden changes — like executive departures or major deals — could impact a business.

Pro Tip:
Use Google search operators to find filings even faster:
site:sec.gov 8-K [Company Name]

This method is ideal for journalists, analysts, and creators who need quick access to verified business updates without relying on third-party news summaries.

Once you know where to look, finding an 8-K takes less than a minute. It’s a direct window into how companies handle major events — and a must-know skill for anyone serious about business research.