By CreditVana Editorial Team | October 2, 2025
A major shift could be coming to the world of investing: The White House is calling for the end of quarterly earnings reports — a move that could shake up how investors evaluate companies, trade stocks, and manage portfolios.
On Sept. 15, President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that he wants to see public companies report earnings only twice a year, instead of four times.
💡 What’s happening?
The SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) is now reviewing a plan to switch from quarterly to semiannual reporting, with SEC Chair Paul Atkins saying a proposal could be released later this year or in early 2026.
🔁 Why Change the Reporting Rules?
This isn’t the first time this idea has come up. In fact, the European Union moved to semiannual reporting back in 2013, and U.S. business leaders like Warren Buffett and Jamie Dimon have previously supported less frequent reporting.
The argument? Quarterly reports put too much pressure on companies to hit short-term goals — sometimes at the expense of long-term growth and innovation.
But it’s a balancing act: Less frequent reporting could give companies more breathing room, but it also reduces transparency for investors who rely on regular earnings updates to make informed decisions.
💡 Context: President Trump first floated the idea back in 2018, but it stalled. This time, with backing from the SEC, it may have more momentum.
📉 What This Could Mean for Investors
✅ The Case For Semiannual Reporting:
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Less short-term pressure: Companies could focus more on long-term strategy and innovation.
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Lower costs: Less frequent reporting reduces compliance and administrative costs.
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Fewer incentives for “earnings manipulation” to meet quarterly targets.
⚠️ The Case Against It:
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Less investor visibility: Earnings reports are a key part of due diligence for retail and institutional investors alike.
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More price volatility: Without regular performance updates, markets could react more dramatically to surprises.
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Harder to spot red flags: Quarterly reports help detect signs of financial trouble earlier.
🔍 A 2023 study published in The Accounting Review found a strong correlation between quarterly earnings and stock price performance — suggesting these reports still provide valuable insights for investors.
🧠 Expert Take
“There’s a real tradeoff here,” says Srini Krishnamurthy, finance professor at NC State University’s Poole College of Management. His review of academic research shows both benefits and risks:
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Pro: Reducing frequency can limit executive manipulation and ease reporting burdens.
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Con: It could also make the stock market less efficient and increase price swings.
📅 What Happens Next?
For now, there’s no official rule change, just momentum. If the SEC moves forward, the shift to semiannual earnings reports could begin sometime in 2026 — assuming it passes public comment and legal hurdles.
In the meantime, the earnings calendar remains business as usual. The upcoming season for Big Tech and other major players could still bring the usual waves of volatility.
💡 CreditVana Tip: Long-term investors shouldn’t panic. Most financial advisors already recommend tuning out quarterly noise and focusing on fundamentals like:
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Diversification
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Long-term performance
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Sector trends
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Strong balance sheets
📌 Bottom Line
The push to end quarterly earnings reports could mark a seismic shift in how Wall Street operates — potentially easing the pressure on companies, while making it tougher for everyday investors to stay informed.
📈 Whether the change will help or hurt markets remains to be seen. For now, keep your focus on the bigger picture — and don’t let short-term news derail your long-term financial goals.
