finantsvara

Finantsvara, or financial asset, is a non-physical financial instrument that represents a claim to future monetary benefits. Financial assets most commonly entitle the holder to either a stream of payments (such as interest or dividends), a return from selling the asset, or ownership rights in a company. They are distinguished from tangible assets like real estate or equipment and from contractual rights that do not have market value.

Common categories of finantsvara include equity securities (shares), debt securities (bonds and notes), derivatives (options, futures, swaps), and cash and cash equivalents (currency, bank deposits, money market instruments). Other financial assets include trade receivables, loans, and investment fund interests. The precise definition and treatment can vary by jurisdiction and accounting framework.

Financial assets are usually traded in financial markets and can be held for investment, financing, or risk management purposes. Their value depends on expected future cash flows, discount rates, and credit or market conditions. On balance sheets they are recognized as assets and measured according to applicable accounting standards, typically at fair value or amortized cost, with impairment or fair-value changes recognized in earnings or equity depending on classification.

Risks associated with finantsvara include market risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and interest-rate risk. Liquidity varies by asset type, with some instruments highly tradable and others difficult to sell. Regulation governs trading, disclosure, pricing, and capital requirements and is implemented through national authorities and international standards.

Finantsvara is a broad concept used in finance, accounting, and economics to describe the financial claims and instruments that enable financing, investment, and risk transfer in modern economies.