13F vs 13D vs 13G vs Form 4: Who Owns What, Explained
Four SEC filings reveal who owns a stock, each with its own filer, threshold, and timing. Here is what 13F, 13D, 13G, and Form 4 actually tell you.
TL;DR: Four SEC filings show who owns a U.S. stock. 13F = quarterly long positions of big institutions (45-day lag). 13D = an activist 5%+ stake (fast, 10 days). 13G = a passive 5%+ stake (slower). Form 4 = an insider's trade (2 business days). Each answers a different ownership question.
The four forms at a glance
| Form | Who files | Trigger | Timing | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13F | institutions with $100M+ in 13(f) securities | every quarter | 45 days after quarter-end | long U.S. equity positions (no shorts/cash) |
| 13D | anyone crossing a 5% stake with intent to influence | the 5% event | within ~10 days | activist stakes; plans and intentions |
| 13G | 5%+ holders who are passive | the 5% event | later than 13D (varies) | large passive stakes |
| Form 4 | corporate insiders (officers, directors, 10% owners) | each insider transaction | within 2 business days | timely insider buys and sells |
How to read them together
- 13F is your map of institutional positioning, but it's lagged up to 45 days and long-only. (Deep dive: how to read a 13F filing.)
- 13D is the activist alarm: someone took a big stake and wants change. Fast and intent-revealing.
- 13G is the quieter cousin: a big passive holder (often an index manager).
- Form 4 is the most timely signal: insiders trading their own company within two days.
The richest picture comes from joining them, e.g., institutional accumulation (13F) plus insider buying (Form 4) on the same name. The joins are where the signal lives.
Which should you watch?
- Tracking smart-money positioning over time → 13F.
- Hunting activist situations → 13D.
- Watching insider conviction → Form 4.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between 13D and 13G?
Both cover 5%+ stakes. 13D is for activists (intent to influence) and files fast; 13G is for passive holders and files on a slower schedule.
Which is the most timely?
Form 4 (insider trades), due within two business days. 13F is the most lagged.
Does 13F show short positions?
No. 13F is long-only U.S. equity disclosure.
Arkolith turns SEC ownership filings into clean, sourced, queryable data (13F live now, more rolling out). Browse the funds or get a key.