Form 4 Insider Trades

When company executives, directors and big owners buy or sell their own company’s stock, they must report it within two business days. Here is how to read Form 4 and why insider buying tells you more than selling.

Fast disclosure

Officers, directors and anyone owning more than 10% of a company must file Form 4 with the SEC within two business days of most trades in company stock. That makes insider trades one of the timeliest public signals, far fresher than quarterly 13Fs.

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