Earnings release trends are evolving rapidly, and staying ahead is essential for remaining competitive. TMX Newsfile analyzed approximately 1,100 earnings press releases distributed in 2024. The study found that Thursday remains a top day for press release engagement, while Tuesday has shown the biggest year-over-year growth in views.
This blog explores five key trends reshaping earnings releases. Discover how to adapt your strategies to boost engagement, meet compliance standards, and strengthen your relationships with investors.
Key Trends in Earnings Releases
Earnings announcements are no longer routine updates—they’re strategic opportunities to shape investor perception. Timing, content, and communication strategies play a critical role in staying ahead of evolving expectations.
As Phil Mackintosh, Nasdaq Chief Economist, explains, "Earnings are one of the most important drivers of stock returns."
By aligning your approach with these key trends, you can maximize the impact of your earnings announcements.
1. Midweek Timing Leads Engagement in Earnings Press Release Trends
The timing of your earnings releases can have a direct impact on how your audience engages with your message.
In addition, understanding the timing of earnings releases can help you align with investor expectations.
Timing Strategies for Earnings Release Trends
When you announce earnings matters. TMX Newsfile’s analysis of approximately 1,100 earnings releases distributed in 2024 reveals that companies strategically choose midweek days—Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday—for publishing earnings releases.
These three days consistently account for 70% of weekday announcements, with Thursday leading as the most popular day. Thursday also generates 42% more engagement compared to Monday for published earnings releases.
💡 Quick Tip: TMX Newsfile’s published and viewed charts offer actionable insights that help companies make informed choices about when and how to release earnings.
The chart below shows Thursday’s consistent dominance in publication volume from 2022 to 2024.
Fridays, by contrast, are the least popular, while Wednesdays have steadily gained traction—reflecting shifts in companies’ strategies for timing announcements.
💡 Quick Tip: Review your historical publication schedule to pinpoint the days that align best with your audience and maximize your announcements’ visibility.
Viewership Trends of Earnings Releases
Viewership trends in the chart below also offer additional important insights.
While Thursday remains a strong day for engagement, Tuesday has seen the largest year-over-year growth in views, signaling its growing appeal to audiences.
Mondays, on the other hand, consistently receive the lowest views, confirming their less favorable timing.
However, overall, all five business days see a somewhat similar amount of views.
💡 Quick Tip: Use a combination of publication and viewership data to fine-tune your strategy, ensuring your earnings releases reach the right audience at the right time.
After-Hours Releases
The time of day is just as important. According to Phil Mackintosh, Nasdaq Chief Economist, earnings released after market close perform better than pre-market announcements.
In fact, after-hours releases perform about half a percentage point better than pre-open releases over the next 25 trading days. This happens because investors have more time to process the information, which reduces market volatility.
💡 Quick Tip: Switch to after-hours announcements if you are looking to give investors time to react thoughtfully to your news. This may increase your stock’s performance.
2. Enhanced Financial Tables & Forward-Looking Insights Drive Earnings Release Trends
How you present your earnings matters as much as the numbers themselves.
Comprehensive Financial Tables
Your investors expect transparency, and detailed financial tables are essential for building trust and confidence.
For example, Atrium Mortgage Investment Corporation's third quarter earnings release demonstrates how clear breakdowns of revenue and earnings can effectively showcase performance.
Click to view the press release
There are many other powerful examples of earnings press releases that showcase different ways to display your earnings news.
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements are becoming more common, helping you set realistic expectations and reduce volatility. By offering guidance on forecast performance, you can better manage investor sentiment and create more stable market reactions.
As an illustration, Olympia Financial Group Inc.'s third-quarter 2024 results demonstrate how clear forward-looking guidance can build investor confidence and support stable market responses.
Click to view the press release
💡 Quick Tip: Pair your financial tables with forward-looking insights to provide a complete picture of your company’s performance.
3. AI & Real-Time Tools Transform Earnings Press Release Strategies
New tools like real-time data feeds and AI are changing the way you prepare and share earnings reports, making it easier to meet your audience's needs.
Real-Time Data Feeds
Technology is changing how companies share earnings information and how investors consume it. Furthermore, real-time data feeds are a growing trend in earnings reporting as companies are prioritizing transparency and speed.
For example, TMX Newsfile distributes press releases instantly through platforms like Bloomberg Terminal and Thomson Reuters Eikon, ensuring your company updates reach analysts and investors in real time.
Faster delivery allows your audience to make quicker decisions, helping traders act on new information and shape how your earnings are perceived.
These tools are key to modern earnings press release strategies, ensuring your updates reach the right audience.
AI-Powered Preparation
Generative AI is transforming how companies prepare for earnings announcements, particularly in refining messaging and anticipating investor concerns.
For example, organizations like Skechers USA and Ciena are using AI to predict analyst questions, enhance the clarity of prepared remarks, and ensure their messages resonate with diverse audiences.
💡 Quick Tip: Consider developing or integrating in-house AI tools to keep sensitive financial data secure while benefiting from cutting-edge technology.
4. Transparency & Standardization Shape Earnings Press Release Trends
Staying compliant is critical as regulations evolve. Your company needs to focus on greater transparency and standardization to meet these demands effectively.
Enhanced Disclosure Requirements
Regulators are demanding greater transparency in earnings reports, driven by new rules like the SEC’s Climate ESG Disclosure Rules. This move is part of a broader effort to standardize reporting and provide investors with comparable, reliable data to guide their decisions.
Clear financial metrics and forward-looking statements are also essential for enhancing transparency and building trust.
By increasing transparency, you not only help investors make informed decisions but also ensure your company stays compliant with evolving regulations.
Standardization Efforts
Standardized reporting formats are becoming increasingly important. They make it easier for investors to compare performance across companies and help ensure your filings meet regulatory expectations.
As an illustration, the SEC’s Form N-PX mandate requires investment managers to use a consistent format to report executive compensation votes.
Also, tools like TMX Newsfile’s Form N-PX Conversion and Filing Service simplify this process by converting data into the required XML format, ensuring compliance and clarity.
In Canada, SEDAR+ supports the push for standardization by centralizing filings into one system, streamlining submissions, and making disclosures easier for investors to access and compare.
💡 Quick Tip: Use industry-standard templates for your earnings reports and filings to ensure consistency, simplify compliance, and make your data easier to understand.
5. Proactive Communication & Social Media Boost Earnings Press Release Impact
Your investor communication strategy can shape how your company is perceived and help build stronger relationships.
Proactive Communication
Engaging directly with investors in real time has never been easier. Social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn let you share key earnings highlights instantly, helping you connect with a broader audience.
Proactive strategies, such as pre-announcements or earnings previews, can help you manage expectations and reduce stock volatility during uncertain periods. These approaches build trust and ensure your messaging stays ahead of market concerns.
The following press release demonstrates how to announce the timing of financial results for an upcoming release.
Click to view the press release
💡 Quick Tip: Specify the timing of your earnings release in your pre-announcement, such as "before market opens" or "after market closes," to help investors plan accordingly. Include the delivery method, such as via press release or live earnings call, to ensure they know where to access the information.
Use of Social Media
Social media is now essential for your earnings announcements and investor relations strategy. Platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Reddit let you engage directly with stakeholders, monitor sentiment, and share updates instantly. These tools help you tailor your messaging and stay ahead of communication trends.
With 55% of social media users learning about companies through these platforms and 80% of institutional investors using social media for work, integrating social media into your plan is critical.
Following practical tips for incorporating social media into your investor relations plan can help you maximize reach, build trust, and improve transparency.
Consistently sharing updates and engaging with followers keeps you visible and credible. Social media isn’t just about information—it’s a way to build meaningful connections with your investors and stakeholders.
💡 Quick Tip: Keep your social pages updated and share content tailored to each platform.
Earnings releases are no longer just routine disclosures—they’re strategic opportunities to engage your investors, build trust, and influence stock performance.
By staying informed about earnings release trends, you can ensure your announcements remain impactful and effective.
Need expert support? TMX Newsfile offers comprehensive services to guide you through every stage of the earnings release process. From meeting regulatory standards to ensuring seamless communication, we help you deliver accurate, compliant, and impactful announcements that resonate with your investors.
