ACCOUNTING FINANCE first-quarter profits, losses, sales etc are ones made in the first three months of the financial year:
• The company has reported first quarter net profit down 17.4% at $1.2m on turnover that rose 36.1% to $26.9m.
• The board announced its first quarter figures last Thursday.
— first quarter noun [singular] :
* * *
first quarter UK US noun [C, usually singular]
► (US also fiscal first quarter) ACCOUNTING, FINANCE the first three months in a company's financial year: »
The company reported an excellent first quarter 2011.
»Directors are scheduled to meet brokers today to discuss the firm's first-quarter performance.
► the three months from January 1 to March 31: »
The number of cars registered rose by 15% in the first quarter of this year.
Financial and business terms. 2012.