Trend analysis compares the line by line amounts in financial statements over a certain period. Whereas, the Comparative analysis compares financial statements of different years or periods of the company or other companies in the same industry.
Moreover, Trend analysis is always horizontal. Whereas, Comparative analysis can be horizontal or vertical.
Furthermore, the Trend analysis is useful in comparing current financial statements with previous financial years. Whereas, the Comparative analysis is useful to compare both a single company’s results with its previous periods also with other similar companies.