What do comparative statements illustrate?

Comparative statements illustrate financial statements for multiple years, which allows stakeholders to analyze a company’s financial performance over time. These statements are essential for understanding trends and fluctuations in key financial metrics, such as revenue, expenses, and net income, across different accounting periods. By presenting financial data side by side, comparative statements help users identify patterns, assess growth or decline, and evaluate the overall financial health of the organization.

This approach enables investors, management, and other stakeholders to make informed decisions based on the company's historical performance and provides the context needed to interpret the current financial situation effectively. While other options might touch upon aspects of financial analysis, none capture the primary purpose of comparative statements, which is to facilitate year-over-year comparisons.