Year-over-year (YOY) refers to a method of comparing financial or operational metrics, such as revenue, earnings, or sales, for a specific period with the corresponding period from the previous year to analyze the rate of change or growth over time.
YOY analysis provides insights into the performance trends, seasonality, and cyclicality of businesses, allowing stakeholders to assess business performance, identify patterns, and make informed decisions based on historical comparisons. YOY comparisons are commonly used in financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and performance evaluation to track changes in key performance indicators (KPIs), monitor business cycles, and measure the effectiveness of strategic initiatives or operational improvements over consecutive periods.
By analyzing YOY data, companies can identify growth opportunities, address operational challenges, and adapt to changing market conditions, enabling them to enhance competitiveness, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth over the long term.