Quantitative analysis (QA) refers to methods used to understand the behavior of financial markets and make more informed investment or trading decisions. It involves the use of mathematical and statistical techniques to analyze financial data. For instance, by examining past stock prices, earnings reports, and other information, quantitative analysts, often called “quants,” aim to forecast where the market is headed.

Unlike fundamental analysis that might focus on a company's management team or industry conditions, quantitative analysis relies chiefly on crunching numbers and complex computations to derive actionable insights.