Key Takeaways
- Trump’s Proposal: The former president urged the SEC to end mandatory quarterly earnings reports, saying it would “save money” and let managers focus on running their companies.
- Short-Term vs. Long-Term: Supporters argue quarterly reporting fuels Wall Street’s short-term obsession, while a six-month schedule would allow companies to prioritize sustainable growth.
- Free Enterprise Focus: Trump’s push reflects his pro-business approach—cutting red tape, reducing costs, and giving U.S. companies more freedom to innovate and compete globally.
President Donald Trump is shaking up the status quo in Washington—this time by targeting Wall Street’s obsession with quarterly earnings.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said it’s time for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to scrap mandatory quarterly reporting and move to a six-month schedule. “This will save money, and allow managers to focus on properly running their companies,” Trump wrote. He added, “Did you ever hear the statement that, ‘China has a 50 to 100 year view on management of a company, whereas we run our companies on a quarterly basis???’ Not good!!!”
Quarterly reporting has been the law of the land since 1970, when the SEC moved to tighten disclosures after a postwar boom gave way to a recession. Supporters of the practice argue it keeps investors informed and reduces the chance companies hide losses. Critics, however, say it’s a costly compliance burden that distracts executives from building long-term value.
Trump isn’t alone in this fight. The Long-Term Stock Exchange (LTSE) recently announced it will petition the SEC to allow semi-annual reports, arguing that today’s system fuels “quarterly noise” rather than innovation and sustainable growth. “This petition takes a critical step toward enabling genuinely long-term companies to focus on sustainable growth,” LTSE CEO Maliz Beams said.
For business leaders and entrepreneurs, the question is simple: do we want CEOs tied to Wall Street’s 90-day treadmill, or free to invest, expand, and compete globally? Trump’s proposal reflects a distinctly pro-growth, pro-enterprise vision—where leaders build companies that last, rather than just beat the next earnings whisper.
It’s classic Trump: cut red tape, save money, and let businesses do what they do best—create jobs and fuel American exceptionalism.