Industry filing intelligence

Why track SEC filings by industry?

Filtering SEC filings by SIC code reveals sector-wide patterns and trends that individual company analysis might miss. Track industry momentum, regulatory focus, and competitive dynamics by monitoring filing volume and types across similar businesses. Use SIC-based hubs to identify emerging sector risks, spot M&A activity clusters, or benchmark disclosure practices against industry peers—all through the lens of standardized classification.

Understanding SIC codes

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes are four-digit numerical codes assigned by the U.S. government to categorize companies by their primary business activity. Developed in the 1930s to standardize economic data collection, SIC codes organize industries into a hierarchical structure from broad divisions to specific activities. The SEC uses SIC codes in EDGAR filings to classify company operations, making it easier to find and compare businesses within the same industry sector.

SIC codes emerged from the need for consistent economic data across government agencies. First published in 1938, the system was last revised in 1987 and officially used until 1997, when NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) became the primary standard. Despite being superseded by NAICS, SIC codes remain widely used in SEC filings and financial databases, making them essential for tracking industry-specific filing activity and regulatory trends.