SEC Reports Record Low Activity Levels in Fiscal Year 2024
The SEC Enforcement Results for Fiscal Year 2024 were recently announced by the SEC on November 22, 2024. These numbers show a significant drop in enforcement actions compared to previous years, marking some of the lowest activity levels seen in nearly a decade. However, it’s important to note that while the number of actions has decreased, financial remedies reached a historic high during this period.
Chair Gary Gensler and Enforcement Division leadership have been vocal about their commitment to enforcement, making these results somewhat surprising. Despite the increased headcount in the SEC’s Enforcement Division and the pursuit of novel legal theories in cases, enforcement activity has been muted.
The reasons behind this decrease in enforcement actions have important implications for future enforcement patterns. Understanding these trends can provide insights into what to expect in the future. While the numbers may not tell the full story, they do shed light on the current state of enforcement within the SEC.
