The US Securities and Exchange Commission wants to allow companies listed in the US to report on their business only every six months, instead of every quarter as is currently the case.
May 6, 2026, 3:58 amMay 6, 2026, 3:58 am
The SEC’s proposal enters a 60-day comment period. The rules can then be changed by the authority through a vote. US President Donald Trump had previously advocated abolishing the quarterly reporting requirement.
SEC CEO Paul Atkins.Image: keystone
In justifying the proposal, SEC boss Paul Atkins pointed out that the previous requirements did not allow companies and their investors to decide for themselves how often figures should be presented. Factors include the costs of preparing quarterly reports, the business model and the development phase in which a company is. The semi-annual reporting requirement should only be a first step in larger reforms to the rules for listed companies, Atkins wrote.
Quarterly reports have been discussed for a long time. Critics of the quarterly figures argue that it could lead management to focus on short-term results. Proponents of the practice point out that it creates more transparency, especially for private investors. (sda/dpa)