What must be filed with the SEC in case of a merger?

In the event of a merger, a merger agreement must be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The merger agreement details the terms and conditions under which the merger will take place. This document outlines critical information, including the structure of the merger, the exchange ratio of shares (if applicable), and any other relevant terms that affect the stakeholders of the merging entities. Filing this agreement is essential for ensuring compliance with legal requirements and for providing transparency to shareholders and the public regarding the merger process.

The other choices do not fulfill the specific requirements for a merger. A notice of suspension, for example, relates to temporarily halting operations or trading and is not pertinent to the merger process itself. A financial report may provide important insights into the companies involved but is not a mandatory filing required specifically for the merger. An operational plan, while it might be relevant in a broader business context, does not hold the same legal necessity as the merger agreement when it comes to regulatory compliance in the context of a merger. Hence, the merger agreement is the correct and essential document that must be filed with the SEC.