About Schedule 13G and Schedule 13D
Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Exchange Act") mandate that beneficial owners of more than 5 percent of certain equity securities file Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G with the SEC EDGAR system. Schedule 13D is a long-form beneficial ownership disclosure statement and is intended for activist investors. Schedule 13G is a short-form version and intended for passive investors, qualified institutional investors, and exempt investors.
Schedule 13D / SCH 13D
An activist beneficial owner must file Schedule 13D within 10 days of acquiring more than 5 percent of certain equity securities. The idea behind the filing is to let investors know that someone has taken a meaningful ownership position. The form will specify what the purpose of the transaction is, and whether or not the beneficial owner may initiate a proxy contest and look to force change.
Schedule 13G / SCH 13G
Beneficial owners defined as Passive Investors, Qualified Institutional Investors, and Exempt Investors pursuant to Rule 13d-1 of the Exchange Act are required to file Schedule 13G for possessing more than 5 percent of certain equity securities.
The due date for filing for the beneficial ownership statement depends on the category of the initial Schedule 13G filer:
The 45th day after the end of the calendar year corresponds to February 14. Should the due date of a Schedule 13G (or Schedule 13D) fall on a weekend or federal holiday, the filing deadline moves to the next business day.