What is the 'SEC Form S-3'
The Security and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) S-3 form is a simplified security registration form utilized by businesses that have already met other reporting requirements. The form registers securities under the Securities Act of 1933 for U.S.-based companies only. Companies looking to use the S-3 must have satisfied all reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from sections 12 or 15(d) that follows the assumption that companies seeking to register have some form of security filed with the SEC.
BREAKING DOWN 'SEC Form S-3'
The filing of this form sometimes precedes an initial public offering (IPO) and is generally filed concurrent with common stock or preferred stock offerings.
There are a variety of other requirements that must be met for a business to file the S-3 form. In the 12 months prior to filling out the form, a company must have met all debt and dividend requirements. The SEC Act of 1933 also requires that these forms be filed to ensure that essential facts about the business are disclosed upon the company’s registration of securities. Doing so allows the SEC to provide investors with specifics about the securities being offered and works to eliminate fraudulent sales of such securities.
Basic Breakdown
Form S-3 is essentially composed of two parts. Part one consists of a cover page, risk factors and a prospectus that will eventually be made available to all potential investors. Part two consists of exhibits, undertakings and various other disclosures that are not typically distributed to investors but are made available to the public through the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (EDGAR) system.
The prospectus primarily consists of a summary section that lays out all critical information about the security offering, including the security type, if it is an overallotment option, the exchange (if any) where it will be listed and how proceeds will be utilized. Issuers that are fairly new or fairly unknown are likely to include business strategy, market strengths and often basic financial information about the company as well. Pricing terms are not included until the final draft of the prospectus, the version that is delivered to investors with confirmations of sales
