Does anyone read prospectuses, annual reports, etc., that you get from companies you have some

[raccoon]

stock in, or mutual funds?

I guess one should but after all the company is going to produce some glitzy publication talking about how wonderful they
are. IOW, very biased.

I usually keep those things a few months, thinking, I'll look at it some time, and then throw it away.

[dmallind]

1. Well, they are mandatory not voluntary. Could be cheaper I guess, but that would send a message too

Personally I read the SEC 10-K and Q filings more when I care enough, where at least there is a requirement to post certain kinds of information. But for all but the most fanatical investor, you can get the "investor-centric" info you need on the finance portals. P/E, P/B, EPS, debt/equity, dividend yield and all that.

EDIT. While annual reports certainly have a positive sheen, they must include financial data that is audited and GAAP compliant (more detail in the SEC filings, but same rules). Outright fraud a la Enron is possible, but quite rare. The SEC filings have to include risks to future financial performance, and are publicly available.

[A HERETIC I AM]

2. I think they're important regarding Mutual Funds....

as the Prospectus' do spell out the fund objective completely and describe why and when they will trade stocks or bonds into and out of the fund. The annual reports also will give a complete list of issues held, which is nice to know.

[Common Sense Party]

3. I like the annual reports as well, just to get a better idea of what the heck I own.