Plural of actual; in business and statistics, the real or observed values as opposed to estimates, budgets, or forecasts.
From 'actual' (existing in fact or reality) plus '-s' plural suffix. Used extensively in finance and accounting where 'actuals' contrast with 'projections' or 'budgets.'
In business, 'actuals versus budget' variance analysis is how companies track whether reality matched their predictions—a humbling exercise that shows how often our forecasts miss the mark.
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