含み益

• Reading: ふくみえき
• Romaji: fukumieki
• Kanji breakdown: 含 (gan/fuku) — contain, include; 益 (eki/masu) — profit, benefit
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯ.kɯ.mi.e.ki/

Meaning

Unrealised gain; paper profit. The increase in value of a held asset that has not yet been sold to crystallise the gain.

Refers to gains that exist on paper because the market value of a held asset exceeds its purchase price, but no actual sale has occurred. For example, a stock bought for ¥100 now worth ¥150 has ¥50 in 含み益. Once sold, it becomes a realised gain (実現益). An important distinction in both investment strategy and tax accounting. The counterpart is 含み損 (unrealised loss).

Examples

1. 保有株式の含み益が今年度で大幅に拡大した。 Unrealised gains on the shares held have grown significantly this financial year.
2. 含み益のある不動産を売却して利益を確定させた。 Real estate with unrealised gains was sold to lock in the profit.
3. 長期保有の投資信託に多額の含み益が積み上がっている。 Substantial unrealised gains have accumulated in a long-held investment trust.

Usage Guide

Context: investment, accounting, finance, tax

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 含み (latent, implicit; from 含む 'to contain, to hold within') and 益 (profit, gain). The metaphor is of profit held within an asset, waiting to be released upon sale.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Investors and finance professionals

Social background: Finance