Why quarterly reports matter
These reports help investors track revenue, profits, expenses, and other important developments between annual reports.
What Is a Quarterly Report?
A quarterly report summarizes a company's financial performance for a three-month period.
In the United States, most publicly traded companies file these reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) using Form 10-Q.
A typical quarterly report includes:
- Financial statements
- Revenue and earnings results
- Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A)
- Updates to business risks
- Legal proceedings
Together, these sections provide a snapshot of how the company performed during the quarter. For more detail, read our Form 10-Q guide.
How Often Are Quarterly Reports Filed?
Most public companies file three quarterly reports each year.
The fourth quarter is generally included in the company's annual 10-K, so a separate fourth-quarter 10-Q is usually not required.
The exact filing deadline depends on the company's size and reporting status.
Why Are Quarterly Reports Important?
Quarterly reports allow investors to monitor a company's progress throughout the year rather than waiting for the annual report.
They can help you:
- Track revenue growth
- Compare earnings from quarter to quarter
- Identify changes in business performance
- Monitor new risks or legal issues
- Review management's comments on recent results
Reading quarterly reports regularly makes it easier to spot trends before they're reflected in the annual report.
Where Can You Find Quarterly Reports?
Quarterly reports are publicly available through the SEC's EDGAR database.
You can search using:
- Company name
- Stock ticker
- Central Index Key (CIK)
Most companies also publish their latest quarterly reports on their investor relations website, making them easy for shareholders and investors to access. For help finding filings, read our guide to finding any company's SEC filings.
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