The amount of data thrown investors’ way can be overwhelming at times. Between earnings season — the six-week period where most S&P 500-listed companies report their quarterly operating results — and economic releases from the U.S. government, it can be tough to stay on top of Wall Street’s market-moving events.
For example, investors might overlook the quarterly filing of Form 13Fs with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is, arguably, right up there in importance with earnings and economic data releases.
A 13F is a required filing no later than 45 calendar days following the end to a quarter by institutional investors with at least $100 million in assets under management (AUM). This filing provides an under-the-hood look at which stocks Wall Street’s brightest money managers purchased and sold in the latest quarter. Though 13Fs can paint a stale picture for very active hedge funds, they’re usually insightful in the sense that they can help investors spot the stocks and trends piquing the interest of Wall Street’s leading asset managers.