10-Q (Quarterly Report)

A 10-Q is a quarterly financial report that public companies must file with the SEC (the government agency that oversees stock markets). It shows you how the company performed over the past three months—revenue, profits, expenses, and other key numbers. You'll find 10-Qs on the SEC's website or the company's investor relations page, usually within 45 days after each quarter ends. They matter because they're more detailed and frequent than annual reports, giving you fresher insight into whether a business is actually doing well or struggling. For example, if TechCorp files a 10-Q showing their costs jumped 30% while sales stayed flat, that's a red flag worth investigating before buying shares.