The CIK is assigned by the SEC's EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval) system. EDGAR is a free, online database that contains all public filings made with the SEC. Investors, researchers, and other interested parties can use EDGAR to access company filings, including annual reports, quarterly reports, proxy statements, and insider trading reports.
To find a company's CIK, you can search for the company by name in the EDGAR database. You can also contact the SEC's Public Reference Room to obtain a company's CIK.
Here are some examples of CIKs:
* Apple Inc.: 0000320193
* Amazon.com Inc.: 0001018724
* Google Inc.: 0001652034
* Microsoft Corp.: 0000789019
CIKs are a helpful tool for identifying companies and locating SEC filings. By using CIKs, investors and other interested parties can easily access the information they need to make informed decisions about investments and the companies they are considering.