July 14, 2025

13F Filings: Implications for Small and Large Companies

Understanding 13F Filings: Their Impact on Small and Large Companies

Navigating the financial landscape can be daunting given the abundance of terminology and regulatory filings one must understand. One such critical form to grasp is the 13F filing. This article delves into what a 13F is and explores its relevance to both small and large public companies.

What is a 13F Filing?

In the realm of investor relations, a 13F filing is a report mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for institutional investment managers managing over $100 million in assets. It details their holdings in publicly traded equities at the end of each quarter and must be filed within 45 days after the quarter ends. While this provides a glimpse into the investment landscape, it also has its limitations, as positions reported can quickly change due to market dynamics.

Impact on Smaller Companies

For smaller companies, generally defined as having a market capitalization of around $50 million, the implications of 13F filings are somewhat limited. Their relevance diminishes as these companies are less likely to attract substantial investments from the large-scale institutional investors that report through 13F filings. 

Moreover, many of these filings can include index funds and passively managed assets, which provide little opportunity for smaller companies to engage or influence. Hence, while 13F filings can indicate some ownership dynamics, they offer limited tactical value for small caps looking to identify or target potential investors.

Strategic Value for Larger Companies

In contrast, larger companies can leverage 13F filings more effectively. For them, these filings are valuable tools for targeting institutional investors. They can analyze who owns stocks that have similar financial metrics, such as price-earnings ratios and growth rates. Such insights can guide their efforts in gaining investor interest and expanding their shareholder base. For example, if there is a pattern of a fund investing in companies with certain financial characteristics that match your own, but they do not hold your stock, you can target them as potential investors.

Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a registered investment banking representative and a licensed real estate broker. The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice. All views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, organization, or employer. Listeners are encouraged to consult their own compliance teams, legal counsel, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

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Jordan Darrow

IR

Jordan M. Darrow is a career investor relations practitioner with over 25 years of experience. Drawing on his career in counseling and as a corporate executive, Mr. Darrow assists publicly-traded companies with their efforts to increase awareness among investment community, media and trade industry constituencies, as well as developing and implementing productive communications strategies among the Company’s workforce and customer base.

Prior to founding Darrow Associates in 2005, Mr. Darrow served for nearly five years as the Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications for PRIMUS Telecommunications Group, Incorporated. He had previously served as a consultant to PRIMUS. While at PRIMUS and among his professional accomplishments, Mr. Darrow contributed to the global telecommunications company’s 2003 award for Best Business Turnaround presented in the first American Business Awards (“Stevies”) competition.

Mr. Darrow began his investor relations career with Taylor Rafferty Associates, Inc. (TRA), the leading cross-border IR firm at that time. Based in New York, the firm assisted a clientele of blue chip foreign corporations in their efforts to access the US capital markets. Following TRA, Mr. Darrow rounded out his professional skills by joining The Financial Relations Board, Inc. (FRB), then the largest independent IR firm in the country. At FRB, later known as FRB/Weber Shandwick, he provided IR counsel to small- and medium-sized domestic companies, as well as led the firm’s East Coast Telecommunications and Multi-industry Market I… Read More