Back to Glossary
Fiscal Year
Earnings Season
A fiscal year is the twelve-month period a company uses for its annual financial reporting.
For many companies it matches the calendar year, but some end it in a different month to fit their business cycle. A fiscal year is usually named after the calendar year in which it ends, which can put fiscal year labels ahead of the calendar.
Example
For a company whose fiscal year ends in late September, fiscal 2026 runs from October 2025 through September 2026. What that company calls "the first quarter of 2026" is October through December 2025.
Related Terms
2 Links
More in the Guide