Predictive analytics is a branch of data analytics that uses historical data, statistical algorithms, and machine learning techniques to forecast future outcomes. By identifying patterns and trends in existing data, predictive models can estimate the likelihood of future events, enabling organizations to make proactive and informed decisions. It is widely used across industries—for example, in finance to detect fraud, in marketing to anticipate customer behavior, and in healthcare to predict disease outbreaks. Predictive analytics helps businesses minimize risks, optimize operations, and gain a competitive edge by turning data into actionable insights.