What distinguishes the Form 10-K from the Form 10-Q?

The correct answer highlights a key distinction between Form 10-K and Form 10-Q in the context of financial reporting for publicly traded companies. Form 10-K is an annual report that provides a comprehensive overview of a company's financial performance over the entire fiscal year. This form includes audited financial statements, which means that the financials have been examined and verified by an independent auditor to ensure their accuracy and compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

On the other hand, Form 10-Q is a quarterly report that is filed three times a year, covering the results of the company for the most recent quarter. The financial statements in the Form 10-Q are unaudited, which means they have not undergone the same rigorous verification process as those in the Form 10-K. This distinction between audited and unaudited financial statements is crucial for investors and analysts when assessing a company's financial health and the reliability of its reported figures.

Therefore, the fact that Form 10-K contains audited financial statements while Form 10-Q includes unaudited statements is what sets them apart and serves as the basis for the correct answer.