Eliminate Quarterly Reporting?

[Kerim]

Interesting idea -- I think I'd miss it, though.

[Caversham]

Why meddle with a system that has worked well for 100+ years? It is ludicrous to suggest that companies only focus on the current quarter and don't have long term strategies in place. This type of nonsense is not surprising, given the article is from Slate.

As a DGI investor, my primary concern with companies moving to annual statements is that companies would also move to annual dividends.

[hendi_alex]

Quarterly reporting can be destructive and for sure often acts as a distraction from the actual running of the business. Quarterly reporting creates a climate where investors expect good numbers EVERY quarter. That is not realistic, yet becomes the tail that wags the dog. I don't know the answer, but can see significant problems of this quarterly reporting mandate that does in fact cause both investors and the businesses themselves to develop an overly myopic view of the business. How many businesses ever verbalize a 5 year plan or 10 year plan? Without all of the time and distraction of generating the quarterly conference calls, perhaps they actually could focus more on the long term health of the company. Just because a process has been in place for 100+ years doesn't mean that it shouldn't be review, tweaked, replaced if seen lacking. Perhaps the current system is near perfect, but I still appreciate this kind of dialog where thoughtful leaders consider the pros and cons of a regulatory system.