Policy — SEC to advance rule making quarterly reports optional despite record public opposition

The Securities and Exchange Commission is poised to proceed with a proposal that would allow public companies to report financial results semiannually instead of quarterly. The plan, championed by SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and President Trump, faces overwhelming public opposition, with the agency receiving a record of over 200,000 comments largely arguing the change would reduce transparency and harm investors. Proponents contend the move would ease the burden on public companies.