Fiscal year

The 12 months a company uses to total up its results

In detail

The fiscal year is the twelve-month period a company uses to total its sales and profits. Companies can choose the month it ends, so even firms in the same industry may differ. When comparing companies with different year-ends, line up the figures so they cover the same period. Quarterly results report progress every three months along the way.

Example

For a company whose year starts in April, the fiscal year runs 12 months, from April to the following March.

Related terms

Earnings report Quarterly results Income statement

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