What is the difference between a calendar quarter and a fiscal quarter?

Calendar quarters always follow the calendar year, with Q1 starting on January 1 and ending on March 31, Q2 going from April 1 to June 30, and so on. Fiscal quarters follow a company’s chosen fiscal year timeframe, which may or may not align with the calendar year.

When does a fiscal quarter start & end?

Most publicly traded companies align their fiscal quarters with the calendar year, but some set different start and end dates based on their business cycles and operations. Calendar quarters always follow the calendar year, with Q1 starting on January 1 and ending on March 31, Q2 going from April 1 to June 30, and so on.

What are the four fiscal quarters in a year?

The four fiscal quarters in a year are typically denoted as Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4. The term “quarter” refers to one-fourth of a year. Dividing the year into quarters provides a regular cadence for companies to report their financial performance and pay dividends.