The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) has called on listed companies to address European supervisory priorities in their 2026 reporting, alongside previously highlighted expectations for cash flow statements and segment disclosures. The AFM will give these priorities additional supervisory attention in 2027. The update is also relevant to audit committees overseeing reporting and audit firms examining it. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) priorities cover geopolitical risks and uncertainties, restructuring provisions and debt restructuring in financial reporting. For sustainability reporting, the focus is on progress in applying materiality assessments and providing connected information on impacts, risks and opportunities and the associated policies, actions, targets and metrics. For the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF), ESMA has identified common errors involving the statement of changes in equity. The AFM also reiterated its call for companies to assess whether cash flow statements and accompanying notes are complete, consistent and understandable, using its previously published findings and self-assessment. Earlier research found that reporting generally complied with International Accounting Standard 7 (IAS 7), but identified areas for improvement. Companies must also disclose the items required by International Financial Reporting Standard 8 (IFRS 8) for each segment, including material revenues and expenses, an area that remains under supervisory scrutiny.

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