Finance Coverage Standards

01

What finance coverage is—and is not

Our business and markets journalism is published for news and educational purposes. It is not personalized investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice, and it does not promise a financial result.

02

Core reporting standards

Financial claims can move markets and affect livelihoods, so reporters use careful attribution, current data, and meaningful context.

• Identify the period, currency, and measurement used.
• Distinguish revenue, profit, cash flow, valuation, and share-price performance.
• Compare forecasts with reported results.
• Disclose when figures are preliminary, unaudited, or estimates.

03

Source hierarchy

We prioritize regulatory filings, audited financial statements, court records, official statistics, company disclosures, and direct interviews. Analyst research and market commentary are attributed and evaluated for conflicts.

04

Allegations and legal matters

Investigations, enforcement actions, lawsuits, and complaints are described according to their procedural status. Allegations are not presented as findings, and acquittals, dismissals, settlements, or later decisions are added when material.

05

Company and individual profiles

Profiles distinguish documented history from reputation or promotional claims. We seek comment on material criticism and avoid implying guilt, insolvency, or wrongdoing beyond the available evidence.

06

Market-moving information

Rumors, leaked documents, and fast-moving market claims receive heightened scrutiny. We do not publish solely to be first when authentication, sourcing, or context is insufficient.

• Verify the issuer and timestamp.
• Seek independent confirmation.
• Explain unusual volatility without inventing causation.
• Correct stale prices or figures that materially mislead.

07

Financial conflicts

Contributors may not trade on unpublished reporting. Relevant holdings, paid relationships, or outside work must be disclosed to editors, who may require reassignment, recusal, or a reader-facing disclosure.