Annual report*
Audited document required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and sent to a public company or mutual fund’s shareholder(s) at the end of each fiscal year, detailing the company’s preceding year’s financial results and plans for the upcoming year. The report contains financial information about a company’s assets, liabilities, earnings, profits, an auditor’s statement and other year-end statistics. It is also the most widely read shareholder communication. The term sometimes refers to the glossy, colourful brochure and sometimes to Form 10-K, which is sent along with the brochure and contains more detailed financial information.