CIKS

CIK stands for Central Index Key, a numeric identifier assigned by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to entities and individuals that participate in SEC filings submitted through the EDGAR system. Each CIK is unique and serves as the canonical reference for that filer across all filings and related records.

The primary purpose of the CIK is to enable reliable indexing, searching, and linking of documents in EDGAR. It helps the SEC, investors, and researchers correctly attribute filings to the right issuer, fund, or filer, even if names change or multiple entities are involved. CIKs are used for issuers, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, management companies, and other participants, including certain professionals who file on behalf of others.

CIKs are numeric strings, typically up to ten digits, and are assigned when an entity first registers or files with the SEC. The CIK remains with the filer throughout its SEC history, with updates to name or address reflected in the SEC records.

Finding a CIK is possible through the SEC's CIK lookup tools or EDGAR search pages. EDGAR displays the CIK on each filing, and many financial data services publish CIK mappings by company name or ticker.

In data practice, CIKs are used to link filings across time and to merge information from different forms, such as annual reports, 10-Ks, 8-Ks, and registration statements. They form a stable reference point within the SEC's disclosure framework.