The SEC proposed allowing companies to report semi-annually instead of quarterly, hoping to address the decline in US public listings from 8,090 in 1996 to under 4,000. However, analysts question whether reporting burdens drive this trend, as semi-annual reporting in Europe hasn't boosted listings there. Big companies are unlikely to adopt less frequent reporting given their need for regular credit access.

Norway's central bank delivered a surprise quarter-point rate increase, the first since 2023, as central banking appears to split between making hard choices now and waiting until necessary. Norway's governor emphasized the move was about preventing future inflation risks, not current price levels. Only 4 of 17 analysts predicted this move.

Whirlpool reported recession-level industry decline in the US, citing war in Iran and collapsing consumer confidence. This raised concerns about a stealth consumer recession, though other consumer companies haven't shown sharp declines. The appliance industry faces structural pressure tied to the frozen US housing market rather than sudden sentiment shifts.