Three Dates, One Stock: Report Date, Reporting Period and Data Timestamp

Freshly published does not always mean freshly measured. A report, a reporting period and a chart can refer to different moments. This fictional case gives you a quick way to keep them separate.

One company, three clocks

The dates below are invented for education. They are not a company's results, a live quote or an App screen.

ClockFictional exampleWhat it tells you
Publication dateSeptember 12When this report appeared
Reporting periodApril 1–June 30The quarter described by the results
Displayed data timestampSeptember 10, 16:00 ETWhen the displayed chart data apply

Reading the report on September 12 does not turn its April–June performance into September performance. Older results can provide valuable context, but the question “what changed since then?” remains open.

The screenshot trap

Imagine saving a chart screenshot on September 12. The chart itself says “data as of September 10, 16:00 ET.” The capture date describes the image file. The displayed timestamp describes the data. Record both if you need them; do not substitute one for the other.

Two shortcuts to avoid

ShortcutBetter habit
New report means today's performanceRead the period beside the figures
New screenshot means current quoteCheck displayed data time and time zone

Copy this research note

Company / ticker:
Original source URL:
Publication date:
Period covered:
Displayed data timestamp and time zone:
Screenshot capture time, if relevant:
What the source actually shows:
What changed after the reporting period? Unknown / next source to check:

This general template works in your own notes app. It is not a claim that SignalSage automatically verifies these fields.

Use original company documents

The SEC's How to Read a 10-K explains that annual reports provide business, risk and financial information for the fiscal year. Read the period and notes in the actual document. This worksheet is an editorial research aid, not an SEC endorsement.

Save this worksheet and subscribe to MerlaTech for the next practical case. We are the team behind SignalSage / Stock Analysis: AI Signals for Android. English interface; in-app purchases/subscriptions.

Fictional educational example; not investment advice or a return forecast. Original animation and synthesized music, synthetic narration, AI-assisted production. No installation, purchase or follow is required to use this worksheet.

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