Nominalværdi

Nominalværdi, or nominal value, is the face value assigned to a financial instrument, such as a bond, stock, or currency unit, as stated on its issue documents. It represents the amount that will be paid to the holder when the instrument matures or the stated value of the asset for accounting purposes. In the case of a bond, the nominalværdi equals the principal amount the issuer must repay to the bondholder, while for a stock it designates the value per share recorded on the company's books.

The nominalværdi differs from market value, which is the price at which the instrument trades in the open market. A bond’s market value can fluctuate with interest-rate changes, credit risk perceptions, or liquidity conditions, whereas its nominalværdi remains constant until redemption. This distinction is crucial for investors who analyze yield calculations, capital-gains potential, and portfolio risk.

In accounting, the nominalværdi is used to determine the carrying amount of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. It also plays a role in taxation, as many tax regimes base withholding or income calculations on the nominal value of instruments.

The concept of nominalværdi extends beyond securities to include monetary units; for example, the nominal value of a banknote is its printed denomination. Historically, nominalværdi has been a foundational element in financial reporting standards such as IFRS and GAAP, ensuring consistency in how assets and liabilities are presented across reporting periods.