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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is an example of horizontal analysis?
A
Comparing a company's sales revenue in 2023 to its sales revenue in 2022 to determine the percentage increase.
B
Calculating the proportion of each expense item as a percentage of total sales for the current year.
C
Analyzing the industry average ratios to assess a company's performance.
D
Comparing a company's current assets to its current liabilities at a single point in time.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of horizontal analysis. Horizontal analysis involves comparing financial data over multiple periods to identify trends, such as growth or decline. It is typically expressed as a percentage change from one period to another.
Step 2: Review the options provided in the problem. Identify which option involves comparing financial data across different time periods, as this is the hallmark of horizontal analysis.
Step 3: Option 1 mentions comparing a company's sales revenue in 2023 to its sales revenue in 2022 to determine the percentage increase. This aligns with the definition of horizontal analysis because it compares data across two periods.
Step 4: Evaluate the other options to ensure they do not fit the definition of horizontal analysis. For example, calculating the proportion of each expense item as a percentage of total sales for the current year is an example of vertical analysis, not horizontal analysis. Similarly, analyzing industry average ratios and comparing current assets to current liabilities are not examples of horizontal analysis.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct example of horizontal analysis is the comparison of sales revenue between 2023 and 2022 to determine the percentage increase, as it involves analyzing data across different time periods.