Story perspectives

Trump's Plan: Shift Corporate Earnings to Semiannual Reports

9/17/2025

Summary

Story summary

President Trump proposed changing U.S. corporate earnings reports from quarterly to semiannual to save costs and promote long-term management.
The SEC, under Paul Atkins, is prioritizing this proposal to align with European practices.
Critics warn that this could decrease transparency and increase market volatility.
Supporters argue it would reduce short-termism and benefit long-term growth.
Analysts foresee a potential shift by 2027, though many firms may still opt for quarterly reports.

History

Historical Context

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act was enacted in 2002 to improve corporate transparency after the Enron scandal, establishing stricter financial reporting standards for public companies. The current proposal to transition U.S. corporate earnings reports from quarterly to semiannual reflects ongoing discussions about transparency and market stability, echoing historical concerns over short-termism that could significantly impact corporate governance by 2027.

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Story summary

President Trump proposed changing U.S. corporate earnings reports from quarterly to semiannual to save costs and promote long-term management.
The SEC, under Paul Atkins, is prioritizing this proposal to align with European practices.
Critics warn that this could decrease transparency and increase market volatility.
Supporters argue it would reduce short-termism and benefit long-term growth.
Analysts foresee a potential shift by 2027, though many firms may still opt for quarterly reports.

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