What is SEC Regulation Fair Disclosure (FD)?
SEC Regulation Fair Disclosure, also known as Regulation FD or Reg FD, requires that all publicly traded companies disclose material information to all investors simultaneously. Intended to quash selective disclosure where typically large institutional investors would receive key market information before other smaller, individual investors, Regulation FD makes communication between companies and investors more transparent, frequent and timely.
The SEC proposed Reg FD in December 1999 due to individual investor demand for even more access to material information. This demand was a result of increasing access and usage of the Internet and the rise of online discount brokers, both of which enabled individual investors to research and trade stocks on their own. Despite protests from large institutional investors, the SEC enacted Regulation FD in October 2000.
The majority of financial information is disclosed in press releases, conference calls, webcasts and via company websites. In April 2013, the SEC announced that companies could also employ social media to share information as long as certain requirements around notifying investors and ensuring unrestricted access were met. For support and additional information, explore our SEC reporting solutions.