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 last 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 40-45 days after each quarter ends. They matter because they give you a real, detailed snapshot of whether a business is actually making money and staying healthy, beyond just the quick headlines. For example, if TechCorp releases a 10-Q showing their customer base shrank 20%, that's important information for investors to know.