SEC Preparing to Make Quarterly Earnings Reports Optional for Public Companies

SEC preparing proposal to eliminate mandatory quarterly earnings reports for public companies, shifting to optional semiannual disclosures as early as April 2026.

SEC Preparing to Make Quarterly Earnings Reports Optional for Public Companies SEC preparing proposal to eliminate mandatory quarterly earnings reports for public companies, shifting to optional semiannual disclosures as early as April 2026. Aaron Rafferty March 22, 2026 Key Takeaways: The SEC is preparing a proposal, expected as early as April 2026, to eliminate the mandatory quarterly reporting requirement for US public companies and allow semiannual disclosures instead. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins backs the shift, which aligns US reporting standards with the UK and EU, where mandatory quarterly reporting was dropped roughly a decade ago. Critics warn that reducing reporting frequency from four times to twice per year removes six months of financial transparency between disclosures, increasing information asymmetry for investors. The Securities and Exchange Commission is preparing to propose eliminating mandatory quarterly earnings reports for public companies, according to the Wall Street Journal. The proposal, expected as early as April 2026, would make Form 10-Q filings optional and allow companies to disclose financial results twice a year instead of every 90 days. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins has backed the initiative, framing it as modernizing disclosure rules and reducing regulatory burden. The Long-Term Stock Exchange and business leaders have argued the quarterly cycle is costly, encourages short-term thinking, and contributes to the declining number of public companies. President Trump endorsed the change in September 2025, and Atkins accelerated the formal rulemaking process. The SEC's regulatory agenda listed the initiative under "Rationalization of Disclosure Practices," targeting rule amendments to "facilitate material disclosure by companies and shareholde