What is SC 13G?

1011 reads · Last updated: December 5, 2024

Schedule 13G form is an alternative filing for the Schedule 13D form and is used to report a party's ownership of stock which exceeds 5% of a company's total stock issue. Schedule 13G is a shorter version of Schedule 13D with fewer reporting requirements.

Definition

SC 13G is a report form required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). When an investor holds more than 5% of a company's shares as a passive investor, they must file SC 13G within ten days. Compared to SC 13D, SC 13G is a simplified reporting form suitable for investors not seeking active involvement in company affairs.

Origin

The origin of SC 13G dates back to the 1970s when the SEC introduced Forms 13D and 13G to enhance market transparency and investor awareness of company ownership structures. SC 13G, as a simplified version of SC 13D, aims to reduce the reporting burden on passive investors.

Categories and Features

SC 13G primarily applies to passive investors who hold more than 5% of a company's shares but do not seek to influence company management. Its features include simplified reporting requirements, typically not requiring detailed disclosure of the investor's intentions or plans. The filing deadline for SC 13G is also relatively lenient, usually within ten days after reaching the 5% threshold.

Case Studies

Case Study 1: Suppose a large investment fund purchased 6% of a tech company's shares in 2022, intending to hold them long-term without participating in management. The fund filed SC 13G within ten days of reaching the 5% threshold to comply with SEC requirements. Case Study 2: An insurance company held 7% of a retail company's shares in 2023 as part of its investment portfolio. Since the company did not intend to engage in the retail company's management, it filed SC 13G.

Common Issues

Common questions from investors include: When is SC 13G required? If an investor's shareholding exceeds 5% and they do not intend to actively participate in company affairs, SC 13G must be filed within ten days. Another common misconception is the difference between SC 13G and SC 13D; SC 13G is for passive investments, while SC 13D is for active investors.

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