Fiscal Quarter
One of four three-month reporting periods that divide a company's fiscal year.
What is Fiscal Quarter?
A fiscal quarter is one of four equal three-month segments into which a company divides its fiscal year for financial reporting purposes, typically labeled Q1 through Q4. Public companies are required to file quarterly reports (Form 10-Q) within 45 days of each quarter's end, providing interim financial statements for investors. Fiscal quarters do not necessarily align with calendar quarters — a company with a June 30 fiscal year-end begins Q1 on July 1. Quarterly earnings announcements are closely watched by analysts and investors, as they provide the most frequent window into a company's financial trajectory.
Example
Microsoft's fiscal year ends June 30, so its Q1 runs July–September and Q4 runs April–June. When Microsoft reports 'Q3 FY2025 earnings,' that covers January through March 2025, which is calendar Q1 2025 — a common source of confusion for investors tracking multiple companies.