Companies might choose to use a form of balance sheet known as the common size, which shows percentages along with the numerical values. This type of report allows for a quick comparison of items.

Vikki Velasquez is a researcher and writer who has managed, coordinated, and directed various community and nonprofit organizations. She has conducted in-depth research on social and economic ...

Just as the purchase of securities by the Fed helped inject money into the economy -- a form of stimulus -- the reduction of the balance sheet is essentially taking money out of the economy.