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Apparent, and as yet unrealized, profit arising out of an increase in the value of an asset.
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paper profit UK US noun [C or U] (also paper gain) FINANCE
► an increase in the value of an investment, etc. that appears in accounts, but that does not involve a real increase in cash, for example shares that have risen in value but that have not been sold: »
The company has 1 million share options which are showing a paper profit of about £135,000.
Financial and business terms. 2012.