Edelman Smithfield Research Reveals Key Insights for Hosting a High-Impact Investor Day

By: Edelman Smithfield via Business Wire

October 08, 2025 at 09:00 AM EDT

Survey of sell-side analysts across sectors uncovers best practices for hosting successful investor days

Majority of respondents believe companies should host investor days regardless of the macroeconomic environment, view long-term guidance as crucial to a successful event

Edelman Smithfield to host Investor Day Bootcamp on October 9^th, outlining effective strategies to leverage an investor day to strengthen market positioning and drive valuation

Investor days are pivotal milestones for companies to amplify their investment narratives and provide important strategic and business updates, according to a survey of sell-side analysts conducted by Edelman Smithfield, a global financial communications boutique that specializes in investor relations, special situations, and the financial markets.

“Our research makes it clear: investor days are no longer optional, they’re essential,” said Hunter Stenback, Managing Director, Special Situations and Investor Relations at Edelman Smithfield. “Nearly three out of four analysts believe companies should hold them every two to three years, and more than 90% say long-term financial targets are critical. These forums present a rare opportunity to reset valuation, strengthen credibility and showcase leadership depth. When done right, with a clear strategy and concrete long-term guidance, an investor day can transform how the market perceives a company’s future.”

The research surveyed sell-side analysts covering a diverse mix of sectors, including consumer and retail, energy and utilities, technology, and financial institutions. Interviews were conducted between August 3^rd and September 5^th, 2025.

Full findings can be found here. Key takeaways from the survey include:

Companies should host investor days regardless of the macroenvironment.

95% of sell-side analysts say that companies should move forward with an investor day rather than wait for more clarity in the macroeconomic environment. There will always be some level of macro uncertainty. The more important consideration is whether the company is prepared to provide an update on its go-forward strategy.

Long-term financial targets are viewed as critical.

91% believe providing long-term guidance at an investor day is important, including 61% of respondents indicating it is “very important.”

Three years is the preferred timeframe for long-term guidance.

64% believe three years is the ideal timeframe for long-term guidance. 14% prefer five years, while 10% believe no timeframe needs to be set.

Investor days should be held every two or three years.

74% of sell-side analysts believe companies should host an investor day every two or three years. Only 13% favor an annual cadence.

Earnings and investor days must remain separate.

95% of respondents prefer that earnings remain separate from an investor day. This reflects a strong desire to avoid overlapping content and to give leadership the space to address earnings results and the company’s long-term strategy separately.

Majority of respondents expect new CEOs to unveil their strategy within one year.

60% of survey respondents expect a new CEO to unveil their strategy within the first twelve months in the role. 28% say 12 to 24 months is acceptable. One of the best ways to unveil a new strategy is at an investor day.

Investor Day Bootcamp

Edelman Smithfield will host an Investor Day Bootcamp with remarks beginning at 2:45 p.m. ET on October 9^th, 2025, convening leading IROs, sell-side analysts, buy-side investors, and communications experts to discuss best practices for delivering investor days that reset market perceptions and drive valuation. Register to attend the event virtually here.

About Edelman Smithfield

Edelman Smithfield is a financial communications boutique that specializes in the financial markets and special situations with the full reach and resources of Edelman. With a deep bench of strategic advisors including former sell-side analysts, buy-side investors, investor relations officers, investment bankers, and financial journalists, Edelman Smithfield has teams on the ground in all major markets and serves an expansive roster of top organizations around the world. To learn more, visit www.EdelmanSmithfield.com.