Quarterly data can be converted to annual data by adding up the last four quarters. The result is the so-called four-quarter sum or moving annual total (MAT). The MAT is used to adjust for seasonal variation in the quarterly figures and facilitates comparison between recent quarterly figures and annual results. The MAT for the first quarter of 2013 is the sum of the second, third and fourth quarters of 2012 plus the first quarter of 2013. The MAT for the fourth quarter is the same as the figure over the entire calendar year.
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