Final answer:
Financial analysis involves calculating and interpreting financial ratios developed from a firm's financial statements to assess its financial performance and make informed decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is financial analysis.
Financial analysis involves calculating and interpreting financial ratios developed from a firm's financial statements to assess its financial performance and make informed decisions. It helps to evaluate a company's profitability, liquidity, solvency, and efficiency. By examining ratios like the current ratio, return on equity, and profit margin, financial analysts can gain insights into a company's financial health and compare it with industry benchmarks.