Based on the number of SEC comment letters publicly published, the overall volume has been steadily decreasing for the last nine years. We looked at the most common issues raised in an SEC comment letter; the table below shows 10 of the top issues discussed in these letters over the past three years. It is important to note that, in many cases, more than one issue is mentioned.
The major topics in 2018 were similar to what we have seen in 2016 and 2017, with MD&A, the use of non-GAAP measures and fair value comments at the top of the list. There are, however, some new emerging trends SEC filers should consider:
