Creating Investor Reports

QUARTERLY INVESTOR PACKAGE TEMPLATE

1. EARNINGS RELEASE
   - Headline: [Company] Reports Q[X] [Year] Results
   - Key metrics table (Revenue, EPS, margins)
   - CEO quote on performance
   - Business highlights (3-5 bullets)
   - Forward guidance
   - Conference call details

2. MD&A NARRATIVE
   - Executive summary
   - Revenue analysis by segment
   - Cost structure changes
   - Cash flow discussion
   - Risk factors update

3. SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULES
   - Non-GAAP reconciliations
   - Segment breakdowns
   - Geographic revenue
   - Key operating metrics

4. KPI TRENDING (5-quarter view)
5. GUIDANCE BRIDGE
6. INVESTOR FAQ

Phase 1: Data Preparation

• Collect preliminary financials from accounting
• Gather KPI data by business unit
• Review prior quarter guidance vs. actuals
• Identify key story themes and messaging

Phase 2: Core Documents

• Draft earnings release (lead with strongest metrics)
• Write MD&A sections (revenue → costs → cash → outlook)
• Create supplemental schedules with non-GAAP reconciliations
• Build 5-quarter KPI trending charts

Phase 3: Forward-Looking Materials

• Prepare guidance bridge showing key assumptions
• Draft FAQ addressing obvious investor questions
• Create executive summary (1-page version)

Phase 4: Compliance Review

• SOX controls: Verify all financial data ties to books
• Reg FD check: Ensure no material non-public information
• Legal review of forward-looking statements
• Final reconciliation of all numbers

Example 1: Input: Q3 results - Revenue $150M (up 12%), EBITDA $45M (30% margin), raised FY guidance Output:

• Headline: "XYZ Corp Reports Strong Q3 Growth with 12% Revenue Increase"
• Key metrics table showing beat vs. consensus
• Bridge showing Q4 guidance raise driven by demand strength
• FAQ addressing sustainability of margins

Example 2: Input: Challenging quarter - Revenue $95M (down 5%), one-time restructuring charge $8M Output:

• Balanced narrative emphasizing underlying business trends
• Non-GAAP reconciliation excluding restructuring
• MD&A explaining market headwinds and management actions
• Forward guidance reflecting realistic expectations

Structure and Flow:

• Lead with strongest performance metrics
• Use consistent terminology across all documents
• Include both GAAP and non-GAAP views with clear reconciliations
• Provide context (vs. prior periods, vs. guidance, vs. peers)

Compliance Standards:

• All forward-looking statements need safe harbor language
• Non-GAAP metrics require prominent GAAP reconciliation
• Material changes require explanation in MD&A
• Maintain detailed support files for all figures

Investor Communication:

• Anticipate obvious questions and address proactively
• Use clear, jargon-free language in summary materials
• Provide both detail (for analysts) and summaries (for press)
• Include relevant business context and market dynamics

Data Integrity Issues:

• Numbers not tying between documents
• Missing non-GAAP reconciliations
• Inconsistent rounding across schedules

Compliance Oversights:

• Forward-looking statements without safe harbor
• Selective disclosure of material information
• Missing SOX sign-offs from management

Communication Failures:

• Burying the lead story in technical details
• Over-optimistic guidance without proper support
• Failing to address obvious weaknesses or concerns
• Using different metrics definitions than historical

Process Problems:

• Starting document creation too late in close process
• Not aligning messaging across investor relations and PR teams
• Insufficient time for proper legal and accounting review