Story perspectives

SEC Chair Backs Trump's Shift to Semiannual Earnings Reports

9/19/2025

Summary

Story summary

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins endorses President Trump's plan to change corporate earnings reporting from quarterly to semiannual, highlighting potential cost savings and a focus on long-term growth.
Executives express concerns over reduced transparency and increased insider trading risks, advocating for continued quarterly disclosures.
The SEC can modify reporting requirements independently, but changes may take over a year to finalize.
Analysts caution that less frequent reporting could impair investor decision-making and market efficiency.
This shift would align the U.S. with countries like the UK and Australia, which already use semiannual reporting.

History

Historical Context

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was enacted to enhance corporate governance and financial transparency following scandals like Enron. Currently, the SEC, led by Chairman Paul Atkins, is considering a shift to semiannual reporting, potentially reducing costs for companies by 20%. This proposal mirrors practices in the UK and Australia, raising concerns about investor trust and market integrity.

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Story summary

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins endorses President Trump's plan to change corporate earnings reporting from quarterly to semiannual, highlighting potential cost savings and a focus on long-term growth.
Executives express concerns over reduced transparency and increased insider trading risks, advocating for continued quarterly disclosures.
The SEC can modify reporting requirements independently, but changes may take over a year to finalize.
Analysts caution that less frequent reporting could impair investor decision-making and market efficiency.
This shift would align the U.S. with countries like the UK and Australia, which already use semiannual reporting.

1 / 2