# SEC email error impacts investor feedback on reporting rule change Proposal to scrap quarterly reports sparks debate due to email address confusion. - **Source:** [Fortune](https://fortune.com) - **Published:** 2026-07-14 - **Topic:** [Finance](https://brifing.si/c/finance) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/fe4deb0e-2511-4f40-9c5d-a4b62535d6cd ## SEC's controversial proposal The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed allowing companies to file financial reports twice yearly instead of quarterly. This change would modify a 50-year practice, representing a significant shift in corporate reporting. ## Email address confusion SEC published an incorrect email address (rule-comment@sec.gov) for public comments, while using 'rule-comments@sec.gov' in all proposals since 2019. This error prevented many investor comments from being properly submitted. ## Better Markets' warning Investor advocacy group Better Markets formally notified SEC about the error in a letter, emphasizing that the wrong address deprived the public of commenting on this significant regulatory change. ## SEC's defense SEC claimed both email addresses were valid. However, Fortune's review showed that in 2026, SEC used the plural address in 7 out of 9 rule proposals, suggesting a clear preference for the standard format. ## Legal requirements Under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), SEC must consider and respond to all public comments. Missing comments could undermine the rule's legal standing and increase litigation risks. ## Investor backlash Many investors including Reddit's WallStreetBets community opposed the change. Better Markets' analysis shows 99% of published comments reject the proposal. ## Transparency concerns This incident highlights the importance of financial reporting transparency. Investors argue less frequent reporting would increase information asymmetry, disadvantaging retail investors. ## Sources covering this story - https://fortune.com/2026/07/14/dispute-over-sec-comments-fuels-new-controversy-over-rule-to-scrap-quarterly-earnings/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._