secondquarter

Second quarter, commonly abbreviated as Q2, is the middle quarter of a year in a quarterly reporting cycle. In calendar-year reporting, Q2 covers the months of April, May, and June, starting on April 1 and ending on June 30. Many organizations, however, follow a fiscal calendar that may not align with the calendar year, in which case Q2 is the second three-month period after the start of the fiscal year and ends three months later. For example, if a company’s fiscal year begins on July 1, Q2 runs from October 1 to December 31.

Q2 is a standard period for financial reporting, budgeting, and performance analysis. Companies publish quarterly results for Q2, compare them with Q1 and with Q2 of the previous year, and assess progress toward annual targets. The quarter is often influenced by seasonal factors; in the northern hemisphere, spring influences consumer demand and production planning, while other regions may experience different seasonal patterns. Management reviews revenue, expenses, and cash flow within Q2 to guide midyear strategic adjustments.

In financial statements, Q2 results contribute to year-to-date metrics and are used by investors to evaluate earnings momentum and operational efficiency. The concept of Q2, along with Q1, Q3, and Q4, forms a standard framework for organizing and interpreting annual business activity. Variations exist due to different fiscal year starts or industry-specific reporting practices.