SEC Extends Filing Deadlines by 45 Days for Companies Affected by Coronavirus
On March 4, the SEC issued an order that temporarily exempts companies affected by COVID-19 from certain filing requirements, including requirements to file periodic reports, annual reports and proxy statements.
Coronavirus Interrupts Business as Usual at the SEC
In addition to extending filing deadlines for affected companies, the regulator has asked its employees to work from home, postponed a conference on municipal securities and cancelled a public vote on a (subsequently adopted) proposal to ease audit requirements for smaller companies.
SEC Adopts Amendments to “Accelerated Filer” and “Large Accelerated Filer” Definitions
On March 12, the SEC adopted amendments to the “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” definitions in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2 that will have the primary effect of exempting smaller companies from the requirement to obtain an attestation of their internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) from an independent outside auditor.
SEC Proposes Amendments to Exempt Offering Framework
On March 4, the SEC proposed amendments to the exempt offering framework with the aims of reducing regulatory complexity, facilitating capital formation and expanding investment opportunities.
Coronavirus Increases Interest in Virtual Shareholder Meetings
Virtual shareholder meetings continue to rise in popularity, with interest recently reaching fever pitch due to concerns surrounding COVID-19.
SEC Proposes Amendments to Financial Disclosure Rules, Issues Guidance on MD&A Metrics
On January 30, the SEC proposed amendments to certain financial disclosure requirements in Regulation S-K with the aim of reducing duplicative disclosure and focusing on material information. The SEC also issued guidance on disclosure of key performance indicators and metrics in MD&A.
The Delicate Dance of Timing Earnings Releases
Which day of the week is optimal for reporting financial results? The calculus facing CFOs and heads of investor relations when timing earnings releases is surprisingly complex.
Human Capital Emerges as Key Governance Issue
Human capital management has emerged as a hot topic in the world of corporate governance and should feature prominently on boards’ agendas in 2020.
Cyber Incidents Seen as Top Business Risk
For the first time ever, cyber incidents ranked as the top business risk globally in the ninth annual Allianz Risk Barometer.
House Overwhelmingly Passes 8-K Trading Gap Act
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the 8-K Trading Gap Act, a bill that would require public companies to put in place policies and procedures to prohibit officers and directors from trading company stock after a significant corporate event has occurred, but before the company has filed a Form 8-K disclosing such event.