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Market Intelligence › Basic Terminologies
Why exchange filings are the primary source, and how to read them
Published by The Retail Trader · JUL 27, 2026 · Market Basics
Every piece of material information has to be given by the company to the exchange first. That is, what is appearing on a news channel was already there in writing on the exchange's website before that.
An exchange filing is the company's own signed, timestamped statement. News is an interpretation of it, and context can get lost in interpretation.
A filing contains the detail that does not make it into the headline — conditions, timelines and the points that can change a deal.
These categories hold the most material information:
• Financial results and the press release that goes with them.
• Board meeting outcomes.
• Investor presentations and earnings call transcripts.
• Material events — orders, acquisitions, management changes, regulatory notices.
If you hold a position in a stock, setting an alert for its filings is a small task that proves very useful. Most big surprises come first in a filing — few people read them.
This article is educational only — it is not a buy or sell recommendation, it makes no claim of guaranteed returns, and it is not advice. Rules, rates and mechanics are changed from time to time by the exchanges, SEBI and RBI, so verify every number yourself with your broker or an official source.