What is Form 10-Q?

Form 10-Q is the quarterly report that US public companies file with the SEC for each of the first three quarters of their fiscal year. (The fourth quarter is covered by the annual Form 10-K.)

What it contains

• Unaudited, condensed financial statements for the quarter and year to date.
• Management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A) of results and trends.
• Updates to risk factors and legal proceedings.
• Disclosure controls and other required items.

Deadlines

A 10-Q is due 40 or 45 days after the end of the quarter, depending on the company’s filer status.

How it differs from an earnings release

Companies usually announce quarterly results in a press release, often furnished on Form 8-K, before the 10-Q is filed. The 10-Q comes later but contains more detail: segment data, notes on commitments, and changes in accounting. Reading both shows whether anything notable appears only in the formal filing.

Tips

• Compare risk factors with the previous 10-Q to spot new language.
• Check the notes for purchase commitments, customer concentration, and subsequent events.
• Fiscal quarters may not match calendar quarters; check the period dates on the cover.

This glossary entry is general information, not investment advice.