What does a balance sheet summarize?

A balance sheet provides a snapshot of a company's financial position at a specific point in time by summarizing its assets, liabilities, and equity. Understanding these components is crucial for analyzing the company's financial health.

Assets are everything the company owns that has value, such as cash, inventory, and property. Liabilities reflect what the company owes to others, encompassing loans and other debts. Equity represents the owner's claim after all liabilities have been settled, often including retained earnings and stockholder investments.

This three-part structure allows stakeholders, including investors, creditors, and management, to assess the overall financial stability and capital structure of the company, making option B the accurate choice for what a balance sheet summarizes.