SEC Moves to End Mandatory Quarterly Earnings Reports

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is preparing a proposal to allow public companies to report earnings twice a year instead of quarterly.

The move, which would make quarterly filings optional, follows pressure from the Long Term Stock Exchange and support from former President Donald Trump and SEC Chairman Paul Atkins.

Quarterly reporting has been required since 1970 under Form 10-Q. Critics say it creates short-term pressure on executives and increases costs. Supporters argue it could reverse the decline in U.S. public listings.

European markets eliminated mandatory quarterly disclosures in 2013; the UK followed later. Many firms still report quarterly voluntarily.

The proposal will undergo public comment before any final vote.