noun
compared to the previous period; quarter-on-quarter; from the previous quarter
Economic term used in financial reports and statistics to compare current figures with the immediately preceding period (often a quarter).
今期の売上高は前期比で5％増加した。
Sales this quarter increased by 5% compared to the previous quarter.
GDPの前期比成長率は0.3％だった。
The quarter-on-quarter GDP growth rate was 0.3%.
前期 means 'previous period' or 'previous quarter'; 前期比 is the ratio or comparison to that period.
Compound of 前期 (previous period) and 比 (ratio/comparison).