Suppose people bought stock XYZ in 2003 for $1000, watched it go to $1500 in 2008, then drop to $1000 again in 2008. Their "paper loss" is $500 but their real loss is zero since they are back where they started. People who bought at $800 still have made a $200 paper profit. People who bought at $1200, say, have a paper loss of $200. The paper loss or gain becomes real when they finally sell the stock. | Suppose people bought stock XYZ in 2003 for $1000, watched it go to $1500 in 2008, then drop to $1000 again in 2008. Their "paper loss" is $500 but their real loss is zero since they are back where they started. People who bought at $800 still have made a $200 paper profit. People who bought at $1200, say, have a paper loss of $200. The paper loss or gain becomes real when they finally sell the stock. |