rahoitusvälineestä

A rahoitusväline is a contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another entity. These instruments are fundamental to the operation of financial markets and the economy as a whole. They allow for the transfer of funds between those who have surplus capital and those who need it for investment, consumption, or other purposes.

Financial instruments can be broadly categorized into debt instruments and equity instruments. Debt instruments represent a loan made by an investor to a borrower, which can be a corporation or a government. Examples include bonds, loans, and commercial paper. The borrower is obligated to repay the principal amount at a specified maturity date and usually pays periodic interest. Equity instruments, on the other hand, represent ownership in an entity. The most common example is a share of stock, which gives the holder a claim on the company's assets and earnings.

Derivatives are another important class of financial instruments. These are contracts whose value is derived from an underlying asset, such as stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies, or interest rates. Common types of derivatives include options, futures, forwards, and swaps. They are often used for hedging risk or for speculation.

The classification and accounting treatment of financial instruments are governed by specific accounting standards, such as IFRS 9. These standards aim to provide relevant and faithful information about financial instruments to users of financial statements. The complexity and variety of financial instruments require careful consideration in their valuation, recognition, and disclosure.