SEC Chair: Filing Delays No Excuse to Keep Investors in Dark

SEC Chairman Jay Clayton called on companies to provide a steady stream of information to investors regardless of any delays allowed in first-quarter filing deadlines because of the new coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re going to have an unprecedented earnings period over the next month,” Clayton said during a meeting of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s investor advisory group on Thursday.

• SEC guidance issued last week allows companies to give updates to investors through earnings releases. They can also provide updates on operational changes and other steps they are taking to address the impacts of the outbreak through Form 8-K filings—even if ...