SEC Form S-4 is also known as the Registration Statement under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933. (The Securities Exchange Act of 1933, often referred to as the "truth in securities" law, requires that these registration forms provide essential facts and are filed to disclose important information upon registration of a company's securities.) Public or reporting companies must submit Form S-4 to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the case of mergers, acquisitions, or stock exchange offers. Mergers happen when companies want to expend, unite efforts, move into some new segments, or gain higher revenues and profits to maximize stakeholder value. Once a merger is completed, the new shares are distributed to current shareholders of both merging companies.
