How would you define 'financial forecasting'?

Financial forecasting is defined as the process of estimating future revenue and expenses based on historical data, market trends, and other relevant information. This technique allows businesses to project their financial performance over a specific period of time, helping them make informed decisions regarding budget allocation, resource management, and strategic planning.

By estimating future revenue, a company can anticipate how much income it can expect to generate, while forecasting expenses allows it to prepare for upcoming costs. This understanding is crucial for making operational decisions, ensuring liquidity, and ultimately achieving financial goals.

The other options focus on narrowly defined aspects of financial management, such as budgeting for a specific year or analyzing past performance, rather than providing a comprehensive view of the predictive nature inherent in financial forecasting. Additionally, securing investments pertains more to funding strategies rather than to the process of estimating financial outcomes, which is the essence of financial forecasting.