Form S-4 - What Is It, When To File, Requirements (2024)

What Is Form S-4?

Form S-4 is a registration statement that companies must submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission before planning a merger, takeover, or exchange offer. It is usually believed that the target company's share price increases after the merger announcement and the acquirer's share price falls. So, investors willing to benefit from this keep a close eye on the Form S-4 submission.

Form S-4 - What Is It, When To File, Requirements (1)

It is a regulatory requirement that every company must file if planning for a merger, takeover, or securities exchange. This disclosure is beneficial for investors waiting to earn from the announcement. After the merger announcement, such exposure also gives existing shareholders a chance to decide whether they want to be associated with the company.

Table of contents
  • What Is Form S-4?
    • Purpose
    • Example
    • When To File?
    • Requirements
    • Review Period
    • Recommended Articles
  • Form S-4 is a registration statement required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for companies planning a merger, takeover, or exchange offer.
  • The purpose of Form S-4 is to provide transparency and disclosure regarding merger, takeover, or exchange offer decisions. It allows the market to react to the announcement, and investor confidence in the merger influences the share prices of the acquirer and target companies.
  • Investor Opportunities: Investors closely following Form S-4 filings can benefit from the market reaction to merger announcements.

Form S-4 Explained

Form S-4 - What Is It, When To File, Requirements (2)

Source:https://www.sec.gov/

Form S-4 is a type of registration statement that is required to be filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) , under the Securities Act of 1933. The SECForm S-4 is used by all companies who are involved in the process of acquisition, merger, any kind of exchange offer or any other form of business combination.

It is a source of information to the SEC and also for the shareholders of the companies regarding the transaction process and the impact that the collaborations have on the participating companies.

It is an important filing under the regulation which ensures proper communication and transparency to the shareholders and SEC. Form S-4instructions protect investor interests by helping in clear and correct disclosure of important information and also the securities offered in the process.

Purpose

The purpose of SECForm S-4 is quite significant in the financial market. It is used to register the securities or financial instruments that will be issued in relation to the business combination.

Form S-4 makes companies disclose merger, takeover, or exchange offer decisions. Thus, it can also be called a disclosure document that provides every details to the shareholders and the SEC about the financial transaction. The security transaction details include the securities receives, the financial reports of the companies who participated in the transaction, the risks involved, management analysis, the impact of the business combination in the financial market and other relevant data among the Form S-4checklist that can help in making informed investment decisions.

Investors acting properly in a merger announcement have a huge earning opportunity because it offers the details of the securities issued which the investors can use as investment avenue and earn returns. So, this form lets the market work on themergerannouncement, and the share prices of the acquirer and target are decided based on the investors' confidence in the merger.

Example

Let us understand the concept with the help of an example as given below:

On 15 April 2020, VectoIQ Acquisition Corp. filed Form S-4 to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The merger is between VectoIQ Acquisition Corp. and Nikola Corporation. The form got accepted on the same day.

When To File?

It must be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission when a company plans to merge, takeover, or exchange securities. Form S-4instructions are considered a disclosure from the company's side, and a chance is given to investors to act on the announcement.

Requirements

One must fill out the form: -

  • In the case of a merger, the applicable state law does not require the solicitation of the votes or consent of all of the company's security holders.
  • Any form of merger.
  • For exchange offers of securities as well.

Review Period

It is appropriately filled by the companies planning for a merger and sent for review. It is the responsibility of the SEC to review the registration statement as per the Form S-4checklist and verify whether it complies with the rules and regulations of security laws. Once the form is submitted for review, it is generally seen that comments are provided within 27 business days of filling.

The SEC has the right to request for some additional information if the information submitted is not satisfactory. The filing company should address these requirements to take the process forward. Once a comment is passed, it is seen that subsequent amendments are required. The comments are generally passed within ten business days. However, once the SEC is satisfied with the disclosures of the Form S-4checklist it declares that the registration is effective and complete.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the benefits of filing form S-4?

Filing Form S-4 provides several benefits. It allows companies to disclose important information regarding mergers, takeovers, or exchange offers, enabling investors to make informed decisions. It also helps establish transparency and investor confidence in the market. Additionally, the form provides an opportunity for companies to attract potential investors and potentially increase their shareholder base.

2. Is it easy to update Form S-4 after its initial filing?

Updating Form S-4 after its initial filing can be a complex process. Any updates or amendments to the form must be carefully reviewed and approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Companies are required to provide accurate and up-to-date information in a timely manner, ensuring that investors have the most recent and relevant details regarding the merger, takeover, or exchange offer.

3. What is the difference between Form S-3 and Form S-4?

The main difference between Form S-3 and Form S-4 lies in their eligibility criteria. Form S-3 is designed for companies that meet certain eligibility requirements, such as having a sufficient public float and a history of timely SEC filings. It is used for registering securities offerings by well-established and seasoned companies. On the other hand, Form S-4 is used specifically for mergers, takeovers, or exchange offers, requiring companies to disclose relevant information related to these transactions.

Recommended Articles

This article is a guide to what is Form S-4. We explain when to file it and its requirements along with purpose, example, and review period. You may also learn more about financing from the following articles: -

  • Defensive Industries
  • SEC Filings
  • Form 8-K
  • Form 10-Q
  • 10K vs. 10Q
Form S-4 - What Is It, When To File, Requirements (2024)

FAQs

Form S-4 - What Is It, When To File, Requirements? ›

Companies must file Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission whenever they are about to go through a merger or acquisition transaction. It is also used to alert the financial regulator when companies tender a stock offering. For instance, they must file the form when they offer securities in place of cash.

What is the filing requirement for Form S-4? ›

The SEC requires an S-4 filing from any publicly traded company undergoing a merger or an acquisition. This form must also be filed in bankruptcy situations when there is an exchange offer on the table, and during hostile takeovers. The form must be filed regardless of the underlying purpose of the merger.

What are SEC reporting requirements? ›

SEC rules require your company to file annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q with the SEC on an ongoing basis. These reports require much of the same information about the company as is required in a registration statement for a public offering.

When to file form 4? ›

Form 4 must be filed within two business days following the transaction date. Transactions in a company's common stock as well as derivative securities, such as options, warrants, and convertible securities, are reported on the form. Each transaction is coded to indicate the nature of the transaction.

What does it mean when a Form 4 is filed? ›

Insiders must file a Form 4 when they buy or sell company shares.</p> <p>The Securities and Exchange Commission defines insiders as certain executives, such as officers or directors, plus anyone who owns more than 10% of a publicly traded firm or anyone with access to information because of a relationship with a ...

What is the timeline for filing Form 4? ›

If a party fails to disclose required information on a Form 4, civil or criminal actions could result. It must be filed within two business days starting from the end of the day the material transaction occurred.

What are the four requirements used to determine if you have to file a tax return? ›

In most cases, income, filing status and age determine if a taxpayer must file a tax return. Other rules may apply if the taxpayer is self-employed or if they are a dependent of another person.

What are the SEC regulations for disclosure requirements? ›

In general, federal securities laws require that issuers disclose to investors all material information they need to make sound investment decisions. Federal securities laws provide that investors harmed by misleading statements or the omission of material facts can seek remedy through litigation.

What is SEC form 4 used for? ›

Form 4 is a US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing related to insider transactions. Officially known as Form 4: Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership, Form 4 needs to be completed and filed with the SEC whenever a company 'insider' in the US buys or sells shares in their own company.

What are the acceptable SEC filings? ›

Among the most common SEC filings are: Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, Form 8-K, the proxy statement, Forms 3,4, and 5, Schedule 13D, Form 144, and Foreign Investment Disclosures. The annual 10-K report, for instance, provides a comprehensive summary of a company's financial performance.

How late can you file a Form 4 with the SEC? ›

(a) This Form must be filed before the end of the second business day following the day on which a transaction resulting in a change in beneficial ownership has been executed (see Rule 16a-1(a)(2) and Instruction 4 regarding the meaning of “beneficial owner,” and Rule 16a-3(g) regarding determination of the date of ...

Why is Form 4 important? ›

In general, Form 4 tells you what insiders are doing with their holdings, and you can use that information to inform your own decisions about whether to invest. For more information on the specifics of Form 4, you can see the instructions of the SEC website here (link opens PDF).

What happens if you file Form 4 late? ›

Form 4 filings include information about the insider, their relationship to the company and its securities, the type of transaction that occurred, and the amount and type of securities involved. A failure to file Form 4 timely must be reported in proxy statements or 10-Ks and can lead to fines.

What is the SEC S 4 filing? ›

Form S-4 is the registration statement that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires reporting companies to file in order to publicly offer new securities pursuant to a merger or acquisition.

Why would a Form 4 be denied? ›

Applications will be denied if transferees' receipt or possession of the firearms would violate Federal, State, or local law. Also, Form 4 applications to transfer firearms to individuals must contain the law enforcement certification of an appropriate law enforcement official.

Who fills out Form 4? ›

Form 4 is filed by a current qualified federal firearms licensee (FFL) registrant to transfer an NFA weapon to an individual or other entity (non-licensee).

Who needs to file Form SS-4? ›

Use Form SS-4 to apply for an employer identification number (EIN). An EIN is a 9-digit number (for example, 12-3456789) assigned to employers, sole proprietors, corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts, certain individuals, and other entities for tax filing and reporting purposes.

What are the filing requirements for an S corporation? ›

What are the filing requirements for an S corp?
  • Be a domestic corporation. An S corporation must be a domestic corporation, domiciled in the United States. ...
  • Have eligible shareholders. ...
  • Limit on shareholders. ...
  • One class of stock. ...
  • No more than 25% passive income. ...
  • Business restrictions. ...
  • State requirements. ...
  • Taxes S corps must pay.
Sep 13, 2023

How do I file a Form 4 with the SEC? ›

(a) A reporting person must file this Form in electronic format via the Commission's Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR) in accordance with EDGAR rules set forth in Regulation S-T (17 CFR Part 232), except that a filing person that has obtained a hardship exception under Regulation S-T Rule ...

What is the filing requirement for 1099 s? ›

There are a few criteria to keep in mind including the sales price for an individual seller and for a married couple. If the property sales price is in excess of $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for a married couple, regardless of the amount of gain, the IRS requires the sale to be reported on Form 1099-S.

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