Trump’s Push to End Quarterly Reporting Gains Unexpected ESG Support

U.S. President Donald Trump’s call to end quarterly corporate reporting has drawn cautious approval from an unexpected group: climate-conscious investors. While Trump has often criticized sustainability initiatives, some responsible investment leaders argue that shifting to semi-annual updates could reduce short-term pressures and allow companies to focus more on long-term sustainability strategies [1].

Trump announced this week that U.S. companies should only be required to report twice a year, a move supported by business leaders such as Warren Buffett and Jamie Dimon, who have long argued that quarterly updates encourage short-termism [2]. Analysts estimate there is a 60% chance the proposal, backed by Trump’s SEC chair Paul Atkins, will move forward [2].

For ESG-focused investors, fewer reporting cycles could mean more time for companies to plan and disclose how they are addressing climate risks and sustainability-linked challenges. “If moving away from quarterly reporting can help achieve this without impacting transparency and disclosure then it could be positive,” said Nick Duncan, Sustainable Investment Director at Aberdeen, which manages over £500 billion [1]. In the UK and EU, where semi-annual reporting is standard, investors have noted greater corporate focus on long-term strategy and sustainability [1].

Still, concerns remain. Critics warn that less frequent updates could reduce transparency in the U.S. market, particularly around profit warnings and material information, which are not subject to the same disclosure rules as in Australia or the UK [1]. Proponents counter that quarterly cycles often force executives to prioritize short-term earnings at the expense of investments in areas like R&D, technology, and climate transition [2].

If approved, the shift would align the U.S. with major markets such as the UK and EU, potentially reshaping corporate reporting culture while giving sustainability-focused investors a surprising policy win.

参考资料
[1] Reuters. Trump’s call to end quarterly reports gets unlikely support from climate-conscious investors. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/trumps-call-end-quarterly-reports-gets-unlikely-support-climate-conscious-2025-09-16/
[2] Yahoo Finance. Trump Says Wall Street Should Ditch Quarterly Earnings: What Would That Mean? https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-says-wall-street-ditch-103000060.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABVW3u0EQa0EHg947PI3Ko6wAOiFvyJhpzcWjkOzlpowmD0dEHn1yVeYch23AZZhFG1-8ZCitZXGWscDVfiE6D3Cof7-3ng_GxUEHMNRrnlKxAzoOK4L8YWw9LP62HQU9rkAyTi3OihODNzSj5E1uopTMI_evYfNhaobdHqsrL6K