Trend Percentage: Trend Percentages are immensely helpful in making a comparative study of the Financial statements for several years. The method of calculating trend percentages involves the calculation of percentage relationship that each item bears to the same item in the base year. Any year may be taken as base year. It is usually the earliest year. Any intervening year may also be taken as the base year. Each item of base year is taken as 100 and on that basis the percentages for each of the years are calculated. These percentages can also be taken as Index Numbers showing relative changes in the financial data resulting with the passage of time.
The method of trend percentages is useful analytical device for the management since by substitution percentages for large amounts, the brevity and readability are achieved. However, trend percentages are not calculated for all of the items in the financial statements. They are usually calculated only for major items since the purpose is to highlight important changes.
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