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13F Filing

Quarterly report that institutional investors with over $100M must file with the SEC, disclosing their equity holdings.

What is 13F Filing? — Definition

A 13F filing is a quarterly report required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from institutional investment managers who manage at least $100 million in qualifying assets. The filing discloses the manager's equity holdings — including stocks, ETFs, and some options — but does not reveal short positions, cash, bonds, or foreign-only securities.

The filing is due 45 days after the end of each quarter, meaning Q4 data (December 31) is reported by mid-February. This delay is important: by the time the data is public, the manager may have already changed positions significantly.

Example

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway files a 13F every quarter. His Q4 2025 filing revealed he trimmed Apple and increased his energy holdings — moves that were already 6 weeks old by the time retail investors could see them.

At BMInsider, the Smart Money Tracker uses 13F filings to analyze the portfolios of 15 legendary investors including Warren Buffett, Michael Burry, and Ray Dalio, so you can see what the biggest names in finance are actually buying and selling.

Frequently asked questions about 13F Filing

What does 13F Filing mean in practice?
A 13F filing is a quarterly report required by the U.S. For retail investors this means understanding the term is the first step toward making it actionable in your own portfolio decisions.
How does 13F Filing relate to SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)?
13F Filing and SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) are closely linked concepts in finance: understanding one helps you grasp the other faster, since both appear together in real-world investing scenarios. Our glossary covers both in depth.
Why should investors know about 13F Filing?
Solid finance vocabulary is the foundation of every investment decision. Whether you read company filings, follow market commentary or analyze stocks yourself — knowing what 13F Filing means saves time and prevents costly misunderstandings.
Where can I learn more finance terms?
Our complete finance glossary covers every key term — from Alpha to WACC — with concrete examples and clear explanations, all written specifically for retail investors rather than finance professionals.
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