Answer:
The financial statement that would be most helpful in determining whether a company had a profit or a loss during a specific period of time is the Income Statement (also known as Profit and Loss Statement). This statement summarizes a company's revenues, expenses, gains, and losses over a particular period, typically quarterly or annually. It shows the company's net income or net loss during the period by subtracting total expenses and losses from total revenues and gains. The income statement is an essential tool for investors, analysts, and managers to evaluate a company's financial performance and make informed decisions.