Analyzing the data more finely for distinctions between public and private
firms reveals some interesting nuances. The top priority for public firms is
to minimize earnings volatility, with 38% rating this their primary goal. In
addition, 30% of public companies stated that this objective was their second
most important priority. With just over two-thirds of public companies rating
this objective their top or second priority, it reinforces how much importance
public companies place on their reported earnings.