Disclosures Related To COVID-19

The SEC has been reiterating the need for robust disclosures related to the impact of COVID-19 on publicly reporting companies.  In the last few weeks I have written about some of the guidance issued by the SEC including Disclosure Guidance Topic No. 9.  Since that time the SEC has continued to issue guidance in the form of public statements.  This blog will summarize the SEC guidance and statements on disclosures up to date, and include a sample risk factor for inclusion in SEC reports.

Public Statement by Chair Jay Clayton and Director of the Division of Corporation Finance, William Hinman

On April 8, 2020, SEC Chairman Jay Clayton and William Hinman, the Director of the Division of Corporation Finance, issued a joint public statement on the importance of disclosure during the COVID-19 crisis.

Before I get into summarizing the statement, my personal thought is that although there are many reasons why disclosure is important, including the basic premise that the