As I have noted in prior posts (most recently here), there is a growing chorus of voices calling for the elimination of “short-termism,” and specifically, for the elimination of quarterly earnings guidance. The recently issued reports of two blue-ribbon groups underscore the need for companies to develop and maintain a long-term orientation. More specifically,

Eliminate Quarterly Guidance? On July 24, 2006, the CFA Centre for Financial Market Integrity and the Business Roundtable Institute for Corporate Ethics issued a Report entitled "Breaking the Short-Term Cycle: Discussion and Recommendations on How Corporate Leaders, Asset Managers, Investers and Analysts Can Refocus on Long-Term Value," calling on corporate leaders, asset managers and others