Why are shares issued at a premium?

A company issues its shares at a premium when the price at which it sells the shares is higher than their par value. This is quite common, since the par value is typically set at a minimal value, such as $0.01 per share. The amount of the premium is the difference between the par value and the selling price.

If shares do not have a par value, then there is no premium. In this case, the entire amount paid is recorded in the common stock account (if the payment is for common stock, rather than for some form of preferred stock).

For example, if ABC Company sells a share of common stock to an investor for $10, and the stock has a par value of $0.01, then it has issued the share at a premium of $9.99.

This premium is rarely recorded in an account having that name. Instead, it is more commonly recorded in an account called Paid-In Capital In Excess of Par Value. It may also be recorded in an account called Additional Paid-In Capital. The account appears in the shareholders' equity section of the balance sheet. It does not appear in the income statement.

Similar Terms

Share issuance at a premium is also known as capital surplus.

Related Topics

What is a capital surplus?
What is capital in excess of par?
What is earned capital?
What is paid in capital?
What are the types of share capital?