Finance glossary
Capital Gain
Definition
The profit from selling an asset for more than its purchase price.
A capital gain is the increase in an asset value realized when it is sold above its cost basis. Short-term gains on assets held under a year are taxed as ordinary income, while long-term gains enjoy lower rates, rewarding patient investors.
In a sentence
Selling the stock for more than she paid produced a capital gain taxed at the lower long-term rate.
Get a word like this every morning
Word of the Day on your Home Screen, with quizzes and flashcards. Get the app →