Final answer:
Horizontal analysis is the technique used to evaluate changes in financial statement data over time, which helps identify trends and project future performance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The technique for evaluating a series of financial statement data over a period of time to determine the amount and/or percentage increase or decrease that has taken place is known as horizontal analysis. This method involves comparing historical financial information over a sequence of reporting periods. Horizontal analysis helps in understanding trends and patterns and can be used to predict future performance. It contrasts with the vertical analysis, which looks at financial statements for a single time period, and ratio analysis, which compares relative figures to derive financial metrics.