If you’re serious about learning how to grow your money and want insight into what the biggest investors in the world are doing, it’s time to learn about 13F filings.
This powerful but often overlooked tool can give you a behind-the-scenes look into the portfolios of hedge funds and institutional investors managing over $100 million in assets. It’s a goldmine of information (if you know how to read it of course).
Understanding the Basics of 13F Filings
A 13F filing is a quarterly report required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It requires institutional investment managers with at least $100 million in assets under management to disclose their equity holdings. These filings are due within 45 days of the end of each quarter and are publicly available for anyone to review.
That means you can see what firms like Berkshire Hathaway, Aquamarine Capital (Guy Spier), or Oaktree Capital Management (Howard Marks) are investing in and what they’re selling.
Why Should Everyday Investors Pay Attention?
You might be thinking, “I’m not a hedge fund, so why should I care?” Here’s why: 13F filings can help you learn from the best. If you’re trying to get smarter about your money, understand how investing works, or are curious about what top investors think the best stocks are, these filings give you a starting point.
They won’t tell you why an investor bought a stock or how long they plan to hold it. But they can be useful for learning what types of companies top investors are focusing on, especially if you’re investing in individual stocks or want to compare your portfolio to the pros.
What’s Actually in a 13F Filing?
Each 13F filing includes:
- A list of all the equity securities the manager holds
- The name of the issuer (like Apple, Amazon, etc.)
- The number of shares held
- The value of the position at the end of the quarter
You won’t see short positions, bonds, or assets held outside the United States. But you do get a good sense of how a fund is positioned in terms of long equity exposure.
How to Find and Read 13F Filings
You can access 13F filings for free using the SEC’s EDGAR database. Sites like Valuesider and Dataroma also summarize filings to make them easier to understand for the average investor.
Start by looking at firms or investors you admire. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, for example, files a 13F every quarter. If you’re reading books on money and learning how to manage wealth, following the actions of these investors can help you put theory into practice.
Tips for Using 13F Filings Wisely
- Use them as a learning tool: Compare what you’re reading in personal finance books with what top investors are doing. It helps build your understanding of stock picking and long-term thinking.
- Don’t blindly copy trades: Institutional investors may have different goals, time horizons, or information that isn’t public.
- Look for trends over time: One quarter’s data isn’t enough. Watch how holdings change over multiple filings.
- Focus on your own goals: Just because a hedge fund holds a stock doesn’t mean it fits your frugal lifestyle or long-term goals.
What This Means for Your Financial Journey
If you’re budgeting with the help of an app, building an S&P 500 nest egg, or setting up a high-yield savings account, you’re already on a great path. Understanding tools like 13F filings can be the next step in deepening your financial knowledge. You don’t need to trade like a hedge fund, but being aware of how they operate helps you learn more about the psychology of money and the mechanics of investing.
Think of 13F filings as a free education in what professional investors are doing—something you can use to inspire smarter decisions in your own life.
Final Thoughts
Money isn’t just about saving and spending. It’s about understanding. If you’re serious about growing your wealth and want to make more informed choices, learning how to use 13F filings is a smart move. Pair that knowledge with a solid personal finance foundation (budgeting, saving, and long-term investing) and you’ll be far ahead of the average investor.
And remember: financial literacy is a journey. The more tools and knowledge you have, the more confident you’ll feel managing your money.
Winchell House 
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