Our Methodology: How EDGARScout Fetches SEC Data

EDGARScout retrieves all financial data directly from official SEC EDGAR APIs in real time. This page explains our data sources, how each tool works technically, and the limitations of the data we display.

Primary Data Sources

All data on EDGARScout comes from two official SEC EDGAR API endpoints, both operated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission:

  • data.sec.gov — provides structured JSON data for company submissions, filing indexes, XBRL financial facts, and company metadata. No authentication required. SEC requests a descriptive User-Agent header identifying the application.
  • efts.sec.gov — the EDGAR Full-Text Search system, powering keyword searches across the full text of all EDGAR filings. Returns JSON with filing metadata and text excerpts.
  • company_tickers.json — a daily-updated flat file listing every SEC-registered company with its CIK, ticker, and company name. Used for fast company name/ticker lookups.

We do not use any third-party data aggregators, paid financial data feeds, or scraped content. Every result you see links back to the original SEC.gov filing URL.

Rate Limiting and Fair Use

The SEC EDGAR API limits access to 10 requests per second per IP address. Our tools are designed to stay well within this limit. We comply with SEC's acceptable use guidelines, including the required User-Agent header identifying our application. For high-volume programmatic access to EDGAR data, see the EDGAR API Guide and consider using SEC's bulk data download service.

Data Freshness

Filing data on EDGAR is typically available within minutes of SEC acceptance. The company_tickers.json file is updated daily by the SEC. Our tools fetch data live on each request and do not cache results beyond a short browser-side cache to improve performance. The timestamp shown in tool results indicates when the data was fetched from EDGAR.

SIC Code Data

SIC codes are stored as static data on EDGARScout, based on the official SEC EDGAR SIC code list. SIC codes are updated infrequently; our static list reflects the current SEC list as of 2026. The NAICS equivalents shown are cross-referenced from the Census Bureau's official NAICS-SIC crosswalk.

Limitations

Users should be aware of the following limitations when using EDGARScout data:

  • 13F Holdings Lag: 13F filings are due 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter. Holdings data therefore reflects positions as of up to 45 days ago — not current positions.
  • Private Companies: EDGAR only contains data on companies that file with the SEC. Private companies, most foreign companies, and small businesses below SEC reporting thresholds will not appear in search results.
  • Historical Data: Some historical EDGAR filings (pre-1996) may be in older formats (HTML, ASCII text) and may not parse cleanly in our tools. Links to the original SEC filing are always provided.
  • API Availability: When the SEC EDGAR API is experiencing downtime or maintenance, our tools will display an error and link directly to SEC.gov. We have no control over SEC API availability.

No Financial Advice

All data presented by EDGARScout is provided for informational purposes only. Nothing on this website constitutes financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. EDGARScout is not a registered investment advisor. Always verify data directly on SEC.gov and consult qualified professionals before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer: Data sourced from SEC EDGAR public filings via the official EDGAR API (data.sec.gov). This tool is for informational purposes only and is not financial or investment advice. Always verify data directly on SEC.gov.