SEC to Make Public Its Comments on Firms

The Securities and Exchange Commission said Monday that it would begin to make public this week its staff’s comments to companies about their financial reports, stock offerings and other required disclosure documents, a move that will provide investors with new information.

The SEC had announced the initiative in June, saying it would begin publishing staff comment letters on its website in August. The move was delayed by technical problems, agency officials said. Letters from SEC staff to companies and mutual funds and their responses to the SEC examiners will be made public starting Thursday for filings made after Aug. 1.

In some instances, information deemed confidential will be withheld.

The move opens a window for investors into the concerns, large and small, of the SEC examiners who pore over thousands of pages of company filings.