Form 8-Ks are designed to inform the public, on a current real-time basis, about important business events that affect a company and the value of its securities between quarterly or annual corporate filings with the SEC.

The new items of Form 8-K require disclosure of 10 additional events that companies must report, including off-balance-sheet disclosures and changes in directors or senior officers. Companies now have four days to report these changes, as contrasted with the former five-business-day or 15-calendar-day requirements.

The Securities and Exchange Commission Web site, http://www.sec.gov, provides access to the Form 8-K reports. From the homepage, click on "Search for Company Filings" (under "Filings and Forms"). Then click on "Companies and Other Filers." Type the name of the company in the search bar. The direct link is http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html