Fair Value Definition & Meaning | Financial Term | CSIMarket

Fair Value

Financial Term

Fair value refers to the estimated price that an asset or liability would fetch in an open and competitive market. In other words, it is the value that an asset could be sold or a liability could be settled for under normal market conditions.

In the financial industry, fair value is used extensively in valuing financial instruments such as stocks, bonds, and derivatives. Fair value is based on market prices or observable market data, and it is used to adjust the book value of an asset or liability to its current market value.

The concept of fair value is important for investors, analysts, and regulators as it helps them make informed decisions and assess the financial health of a company. For instance, when valuing stocks, fair value is used to determine whether a stock is overvalued or undervalued. Similarly, when valuing a company*s liabilities, fair value is used to estimate the amount that would be required to settle those liabilities in an open market.

While fair value is a widely accepted valuation method, its accuracy can be influenced by market conditions and other factors such as liquidity constraints or lack of available pricing information. As a result, fair value estimates can sometimes be subject to significant levels of uncertainty and volatility.


More Glossary Terms Beginning with F
  • Factory Inventories
    inventories represent the value of the end-of-month stocks regardless of stage of fabrication (whether in the form of purchased materials and supplies, work in process, or finished goods). These inventories are valued at cost using any valuation method other than LIFO. Inventories associated with the non-manufacturing activities of your company are excluded.
    Economy Term Letter: F
  • Factory New Orders
    A new order is a communication of an intention to buy for immediate or future delivery. Orders data are not collected from industries that have mostly immediate deliveries.
    Economy Term Letter: F
  • Factory Shipments
    Manufacturers? shipments measure the dollar value of products sold by manufacturing establishments and are based on net selling values, f.o.b. (free on board) plant, after discounts and allowances are excluded. Freight charges and excise taxes are excluded. Where the products of an industry are customarily delivered to distributors or consumers by the manufacturing establishment (such as in certai
    Economy Term Letter: F
  • Factory Unfilled Orders
    Generally, unfilled orders at the end of an accounting period are equal to unfilled orders at the beginning of the period, plus new orders net of cancellations received during the period, less net sales. This includes orders that have not yet passed through the sales account and funded orders (or portions of orders) for which the value of work done has not been reported as sales.
    Economy Term Letter: F
  • Facultative Reinsurance
    The reinsurance of all or a portion of the insurance provided by a single policy. Each policy reinsured is separately negotiated.
    Insurance Term Letter: F
  • Fair Access to Insurance Requirements FAIR Plan
    The reinsurance of all or a portion of the insurance provided by a single policy. Each policy reinsured is separately negotiated.
    Insurance Term Letter: F
  • Fair Value
    The price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
    Financial Term Letter: F
  • Fair Value Hedge
    A derivative instrument designated in a hedging relationship that mitigates exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or a firm commitment.
    Financial Term Letter: F
  • Fannie Mae
    Federal National Mortgage Association
    Financial Term Letter: F
  • FASB
    Financial Accounting Standards Board.
    Financial Term Letter: F
  • Fast Track
    Fast track designation is granted to expedite the review process of applications for approval of new drugs intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions where potential to address an unmet medical need is demonstrated.
    Health Care Term Letter: F
  • FDA Food and Drug Administration
    The Food and Drug Administration of the United States, which, among other functions, regulates medical devices and other therapeutic products used in the United States. The U.S. FDA ensures that medicines, medical devices, and radiation-emitting consumer products are safe and effective. Authorized by Congress to enforce the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and several other public health laws,
    Health Care Term Letter: F