Know the unit
The SEC files report aggregate fails for a security on a settlement date. They do not identify a specific person or explain every cause.
SEC MARKET DATA FIELD GUIDE · 2026
Fails-to-Deliver Data Guide
Learn how to read SEC fails-to-deliver data, understand settlement timing and avoid common overclaims about aggregate FTD files.
SML-MARKET-001$19 ONE TIMEINSTANT PDF DELIVERY
THE OUTCOME
Use official FTD files as dated aggregate evidence without turning them into proof they cannot provide.
Primary search intent: SEC fails-to-deliver data
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
A compact, evidence-first field guide.
- What the SEC FTD data contains and how the files are structured
- Why the reported quantity is an aggregate balance for a settlement date
- How settlement timing and later delivery affect interpretation
- A disciplined workflow for checking claims against primary data
INSIDE THE GUIDE
Practical concepts and decision checks.
Respect the date
A reported balance is tied to its settlement date and is not automatically cumulative across dates.
Avoid unsupported attribution
FTD data alone does not prove naked short selling, manipulation or a future squeeze.
Preserve the source trail
Keep the file period, settlement date, identifier and source URL with every chart or claim.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Built from sources buyers can inspect.
The PDF includes source notes. These public references provide the governing background and current official context.
SEC fails-to-deliver data →SEC Regulation SHO investor bulletin →FAQ
Before you buy.
Are SEC FTD quantities cumulative?
No. The SEC explains that the figure is an aggregate balance as of a settlement date, not a running total to add across dates.
Do FTDs prove illegal activity?
No. Fails can occur for multiple reasons, and the aggregate file alone does not establish intent or legality.
Does this guide include live data?
No. It explains how to obtain and interpret official files; the SEC source remains authoritative.
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Buy Fails-to-Deliver Data Guide — $19Educational information only. No personalized investment, legal, tax, regulatory, cybersecurity or business advice. No ranking, citation, performance or financial outcome is guaranteed.