How to Research a Stock with Free and Open Data
7 min read · Updated June 30, 2026
Serious stock research used to require expensive data terminals. Today, much of the same information is freely available through open public datasets — if you know where to look.
This guide walks through the main free sources and how they fit together when you study a company.
Company filings: SEC EDGAR
In the U.S., every public company must file detailed reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and those filings are free to the public through the SEC’s EDGAR database.
The annual report (Form 10-K) and quarterly report (Form 10-Q) are the primary sources for a company’s revenue, profit, debt, and risks — straight from the company itself, not a third-party summary.
Market data: free quotes and history
Current and historical prices, market capitalization, valuation ratios, and trading volume are available free from many public sources and financial sites — including the live figures shown on this site’s individual stock pages.
This is enough to see how a stock is valued today, how it has moved over time, and how it compares with peers.
Economic data: FRED
A company does not trade in a vacuum. The Federal Reserve’s FRED database offers free economic data — interest rates, inflation, employment, and more — that shapes the backdrop for every stock.
Understanding rates and inflation helps explain why even a strong company’s shares can rise or fall with the broader economy.
Putting it together
A practical routine: read the latest 10-K and 10-Q for the business and its risks, check free market data for valuation and recent price action, and glance at economic data for the wider environment.
Combined with the latest news, these free sources cover most of what an individual investor needs — no paid subscription required.
Frequently asked questions
Is SEC EDGAR free to use?
Yes. EDGAR is the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s public database of company filings, and it is completely free. Anyone can read the annual (10-K) and quarterly (10-Q) reports of public companies.
Where can I find free stock data?
Free current and historical prices, market cap, and valuation ratios are widely available from public financial sources — including the live data shown on each company page on this site.
What is FRED?
FRED is a free economic database from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. It provides data such as interest rates, inflation, and employment that help explain the economic backdrop affecting stocks.