The comparison of a company's financial condition and performance across time is known as:

• A. Horizontal analysis
• B. Vertical analysis
• C. Common-size analysis
• D. Ratio analysis

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of horizontal analysis: It involves comparing financial data across multiple periods to identify trends and changes in a company's financial condition and performance over time.
2. Differentiate horizontal analysis from other types of analysis: Vertical analysis focuses on analyzing financial statements within a single period, common-size analysis expresses financial statement items as percentages, and ratio analysis evaluates relationships between financial statement items.
3. Recognize that horizontal analysis is specifically designed to assess changes in financial performance and condition over time, making it the correct answer for this problem.
4. Review examples of horizontal analysis, such as comparing revenue, expenses, or net income across several years to identify growth or decline trends.
5. Apply this understanding to similar problems by identifying the type of analysis based on the description provided in the question.