The statement of changes in equity specifically details how equity changes over a given period due to various factors, including profits and losses from operations, issuance of new shares, and payment of dividends. This financial statement captures the movements in retained earnings, additional paid-in capital, and other components of equity, providing a comprehensive view of how the company's equity is affected by its activities.
In contrast, the balance sheet presents a snapshot of a company's financial position at a specific point in time, showing assets, liabilities, and equity without detailing the changes. The income statement focuses on revenues and expenses over a period, revealing the company's operational performance but not its overall equity changes. The cash flow statement outlines the inflows and outflows of cash, categorizing them into operating, investing, and financing activities, but it does not directly present changes in equity. Therefore, the statement of changes in equity is the appropriate choice for tracking the fluctuations in a company's equity over time.