held at cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held at cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to pricing, accounting, or financial discussions, indicating that something is being sold or provided without profit, at the original expense incurred. Example: "The items will be held at cost to ensure that our customers receive the best possible prices during the sale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Loans and securities which share the characteristics of loans in other words, assets that derive their value only from interest and repayment of principal will be held at cost, provided banks can show they will hold them for the long term.

The Economist

But if adopted, these would shake up banking by greatly expanding the impact of fair-value (or mark-to-market) accounting, in which assets are valued at market prices rather than on an historic-cost basis that reflects the price banks paid for them.In both America and Europe, instruments held for sale are marked to market, whereas loans intended to be kept on the books are held at cost.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

During the war, Ypres was held at tremendous cost as the last corner of Belgium in Allied hands.

The New York Times

Outposts under scrutiny include positions held at heavy cost by the British in northern Helmand and areas captured by America's marines deep in the south of the province this year.

The Economist

At corporate-style workshops held at enormous cost, institutions love to posit, "What kind of doctor do we want you to be?" Implicit in this question is the message that a doctor's conduct can be shaped by institutional expectation.

The Guardian - Opinion

All boat people seeking asylum in Australia are first brought here to Christmas Island, just 220 miles south of Indonesia but nearly 1,000 miles from the Australian mainland, and most are now held at enormous cost within the center's electrified, 13-foot-high razor-wire fences.

The New York Times

The hackathon, held at no cost to tax payers, featured over 100 developers, designers, tech partners and City government policy experts.

Huffington Post

The California measure, Proposition 8, was to many Mormons a kind of firewall to be held at all costs.

The New York Times

That redeployment was well in progress when, soon after midday on November 3, an overriding order came from Hitler, insisting that el-Alamein must be held at all costs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Initial plans had been made to mass French forces on the left bank so as to oppose a German crossing, but the French high command soon decreed that a new defensive line, stretching from the heights on the east bank of the Meuse to the village of Douaumont, should be held at all costs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Salamaua fell to the Allies on September 12, Lae on September 16, and Finschhafen, on the Huon Peninsula behind Lae, on October 2. On Sept. 30, 1943, the Japanese made a new policy decision: a last defense line was to be established from western New Guinea and the Carolines to the Marianas by spring 1944, to be held at all costs, and also to be used as a base for counterattacks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held at cost" in financial reporting, ensure that the asset meets the criteria for cost-based accounting, such as intent to hold it long-term.

Common error

Avoid using "held at cost" when the asset's market value is significantly different from its original cost. In such cases, market-to-market accounting might be more appropriate to reflect the asset's true value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held at cost" functions as a descriptive term, typically used in financial and accounting contexts. It specifies how an asset is valued and maintained on a company's balance sheet. Ludwig's AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held at cost" is a specific accounting term indicating that an asset's value remains at its original purchase price on a balance sheet. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable, although its usage is relatively rare. The term is primarily found in news and media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. It is important to note that, while grammatically correct, "held at cost" should be used judiciously, especially when the market value significantly deviates from the original cost. Related phrases include "valued at cost" and "recorded at cost", which can be used interchangeably depending on the nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valued at cost

Replaces "held" with "valued", focusing on the assessment rather than the maintenance of value.

recorded at cost

Similar to "valued at cost", but emphasizes the initial recording of an asset's value.

carried at cost

Focuses on how an asset's value is maintained on a company's books.

maintained at original price

Emphasizes keeping the value at the initial purchase price without adjustments.

kept at acquisition cost

Highlights the importance of using the acquisition cost for valuation purposes.

priced at cost

Changes the focus to pricing, meaning something is sold without profit.

offered at cost

Like "priced at cost", but used more in sales or promotional contexts.

at the original price

A simpler way to express valuing something at its initial cost.

without markup

Highlights the absence of a profit margin when pricing or valuing an item.

at break-even price

Suggests the item is being sold or valued to cover costs, without profit or loss.

FAQs

What does "held at cost" mean in accounting?

In accounting, "held at cost" means an asset is recorded and remains on the balance sheet at its original purchase price, without adjustments for market fluctuations or depreciation. This is typically used for assets intended to be held long-term.

When is it appropriate to use "held at cost" accounting?

It's appropriate when assets are expected to be held for a long period and when market fluctuations are not considered relevant for the company's financial performance. This is often used for loans and securities held by banks.

What are some alternatives to saying "held at cost"?

You can use alternatives like "valued at cost", "recorded at cost", or "carried at cost", depending on the specific context and emphasis you want to convey.

How does "held at cost" differ from fair value accounting?

"Held at cost" maintains the original purchase price, while fair value accounting adjusts the asset's value to reflect current market prices. Fair value accounting is used for assets that are actively traded or intended for sale.