Handelsverdi

Handelsverdi is a term used in Norwegian finance and accounting to denote the market value of an asset—the price at which it could be bought or sold in an open and competitive market under normal conditions. It reflects what informed buyers and sellers would agree upon, given current information, liquidity and transaction costs. Handelsverdi is therefore closely aligned with the concept of fair value in many accounting and valuation contexts, though exact definitions may vary by jurisdiction or standard.

Applications include asset valuation for financial reporting, investment analysis, mergers and acquisitions, taxation assessments, property appraisals, and insurance. In practice, valuers estimate handelsverdi by market-based approaches, such as comparing to recent sale prices of similar assets (the comparable sales method), income-based approaches for income-generating assets, or cost-based approaches for unique items. The goal is to capture a price that reflects current market conditions rather than historical cost.

Determination relies on available market data, asset characteristics, and assumptions about liquidity and risk. In real estate, for example, sales comparables and price per unit area are common; in equities, current market prices or multiples derived from peer companies are used. For intangible assets, licenses or brand value may be approximated through income or relief-from-royalties methods.

Relation to other values: Handelsverdi is distinct from bokført verdi (the book or carrying amount on the balance sheet), which is based on historical cost and depreciation, and from liquidation or forced-sale value, which may be lower due to time pressure. It also differs from intrinsic value, which is based on fundamental analysis rather than current market prices.