Should we ditch quarterly earnings reports?

The podcast discusses the tradition of quarterly earnings calls in corporate America, where public companies report their financial results. It highlights the standardized nature of these calls and the common use of phrases like "give us some color." The hosts then delve into the debate surrounding the frequency of these reports, noting President Trump's push to reduce them to twice a year. They explore arguments for less frequent reporting, such as cost savings and encouraging long-term managerial thinking, citing research that shows increased reporting frequency can lead to reduced capital investment. Conversely, the podcast presents arguments for maintaining quarterly reports, emphasizing that more information benefits investors by enabling better decision-making, more trading, and accurate stock pricing. The discussion also touches on the role of the SEC and the potential for companies to provide shorter, voluntary earnings releases even if regulatory requirements change.