How to Find Quarterly Earnings for Foreign Stocks on SEC EDGAR
If you've searched EDGAR for ASML or Novo Nordisk quarterly earnings and found nothing, here's why: foreign companies use Form 6-K instead of 10-Q. This guide shows you exactly how to find quarterly results for any foreign stock.
How to Find Quarterly Earnings for Foreign Stocks on SEC EDGAR
Last Updated: December 27, 2024
You search SEC EDGAR for ASML's quarterly earnings. Filter by 10-Q. Zero results.
You try Novo Nordisk. Same thing. Taiwan Semiconductor, Alibaba—nothing.
The quarterly reports exist. They're just not where you're looking.
Quick Answer: Foreign companies don't file 10-Q reports. They use Form 6-K instead. This catch-all form contains quarterly earnings—mixed in with dozens of other filings. Here's exactly how to find what you need.
Why There's No 10-Q for Foreign Stocks
Foreign companies listed on US exchanges have a special SEC designation: Foreign Private Issuer (FPI). This status exempts them from US quarterly reporting requirements.
Instead of mandatory 10-Q filings, FPIs furnish quarterly earnings through Form 6-K—a catch-all form used for all material disclosures. The same form type covers earnings, press releases, governance notices, and shareholder updates.
This creates a problem: you can't filter EDGAR for "6-K filings that contain quarterly earnings." You see everything and work through it manually.
How to Find Quarterly Earnings: 5-Step EDGAR Search
Step 1: Go to SEC EDGAR Company Search
Navigate to SEC EDGAR Company Search and enter the company ticker or name.
Step 2: Filter by Form Type
In the form type field, enter 6-K. This filters out annual reports (20-F), registration statements, and other filings.
Step 3: Focus on Quarter-End Timing
Quarterly earnings typically appear 1-2 weeks after quarter-end. For calendar-year companies, look for 6-K filings in:
- Early January (Q4 results)
- Early April (Q1 results)
- Early July (Q2 results)
- Early October (Q3 results)
Step 4: Check Document Descriptions
Scan the filing descriptions for keywords like:
- "quarterly results"
- "interim report"
- "financial results"
- "earnings release"
- "half-year results"
Step 5: Check Exhibit Attachments
Some companies (like Alibaba) bury earnings in exhibit attachments rather than the main document. Look for Exhibit 99.1 containing press releases or financial statements.
Company-by-Company Filing Patterns
Not all foreign companies file the same way. Here's what to expect from major FPIs:
| Company | 6-Ks/Year | Per Quarter | Finding Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novo Nordisk (NVO) | 60-80 | 15-20 | Only ~4 contain earnings. Look for "financial results" or "interim report" |
| ASML | 4-8 | 1-2 | Cleanest pattern. Most filings are earnings-related |
| Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) | 40-60 | 10-15 | Ignore monthly revenue 6-Ks. Quarterly results are clearly labeled |
| Alibaba (BABA) | 60+ | 15-20 | Check Exhibit 99.1. Fiscal year ends March 31 |
Novo Nordisk: The Needle in the Haystack
Novo Nordisk files more 6-Ks than almost any other FPI—roughly 15-20 per quarter. Most are routine notices (share repurchases, governance updates, major shareholder reports).
How to find earnings: Filter by 6-K, then scan for filings in the first two weeks of January, April, July, and October. Look for descriptions containing "financial results" or the specific quarter (e.g., "Q3 2024").
ASML: The Easy One
ASML is the friendliest FPI for new investors. They file only 4-8 6-Ks per year, and most contain earnings data. The filing descriptions are clear and the timing is predictable.
Best practice: If you're new to tracking foreign stocks, start with ASML to understand the 6-K format before tackling companies with higher filing volumes.
Taiwan Semiconductor: Watch for Monthly Noise
TSMC files monthly revenue updates via 6-K in addition to quarterly earnings. This creates 40-60 filings per year, but most are one-page revenue summaries.
How to distinguish: Monthly revenue 6-Ks are typically filed around the 10th of each month. Full quarterly earnings appear in January, April, July, and October with more detailed financial statements.
Alibaba: Check the Exhibits
Alibaba buries quarterly results in exhibit attachments rather than the main 6-K document. The cover page may say little, but Exhibit 99.1 contains the full earnings release.
Important: Alibaba's fiscal year ends March 31. Their quarterly filings appear in:
- June (Q1, Apr-Jun)
- September (Q2, Jul-Sep)
- December (Q3, Oct-Dec)
- March (Q4, Jan-Mar)
Pro Tips for FPI Quarterly Tracking
"Furnished" vs "Filed" Doesn't Mean Unreliable
6-K filings are "furnished" rather than "filed," which means a lower legal liability standard. This doesn't make the data unreliable—it simply reflects the voluntary nature of FPI quarterly reporting. The numbers are audited and consistent with home-country filings.
Adjust for Non-Calendar Fiscal Years
Several major FPIs use non-calendar fiscal years:
| Company | Fiscal Year End | Q4 Filing Period |
|---|---|---|
| Alibaba | March 31 | May-June |
| Tata Motors | March 31 | May-June |
| Infosys | March 31 | April-May |
| SAP | December 31 | January-February |
Set Up EDGAR Alerts
The SEC offers free email alerts for new filings. Search for the company on EDGAR, then click "Get Email Updates" to receive notifications when new 6-Ks are filed.
What's Actually in a Quarterly 6-K?
When you find the right 6-K, expect to see:
- Press Release - Management commentary, highlights, guidance
- Income Statement - Revenue, operating income, net income
- Balance Sheet - Assets, liabilities, equity (may be summary)
- Cash Flow Statement - Operating, investing, financing activities
- Segment Data - Geographic and business segment breakdowns
The depth varies by company. Some FPIs provide US GAAP reconciliations; most report only in IFRS. Critical accounting policies and detailed footnotes appear in the annual 20-F, not quarterly 6-Ks.
Summary: Quick Reference Table
| If You're Looking For... | Search For... | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterly earnings | Form 6-K | 1-2 weeks after quarter-end |
| Annual report | Form 20-F | Within 4 months of fiscal year-end |
| Material events | Form 6-K | As disclosed |
| Registration/IPO | Form F-1 | Pre-IPO |
For deeper analysis of any foreign stock's SEC filings, MetricDuck's company pages extract and organize 6-K data automatically—no manual EDGAR searching required.
Related Guides
- Form 6-K Explained: The Catch-All SEC Filing - Deep dive into 6-K structure and content
- Why Foreign Companies Don't File 10-Q - The regulatory background behind FPI status
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This article is part of our comprehensive Earnings Quality Hub, which covers cash flow verification, accounting red flags, and quality screening frameworks.
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