10-K (Annual Report)

A 10-K is the official annual report that every public company must file with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), the government agency that oversees stock markets. It's basically a company's complete financial report card for the year—showing revenue, profits, losses, and detailed breakdowns of how the business operates. You'll encounter 10-Ks when researching stocks because they're packed with honest information that helps you understand if a company is actually doing well or just talking a good game. For example, TechCorp Inc. might claim strong growth in their press release, but their 10-K reveals they're burning through cash faster than expected. These filings are free to read on the SEC's website and are goldmines for serious investors.