"At premium" is a financial term used to describe a situation where the price of a particular item or asset is higher than its intrinsic or face value. This indicates that the item is being traded or sold at a premium or at a higher value than what would be considered normal or expected. It signifies that buyers are willing to pay more for the item due to factors such as high demand, limited supply, or perceived quality.
The term "at premium" is commonly used in the context of stocks, bonds, or other investment instruments traded in financial markets. For example, if a stock is trading at a premium, it means that the current market price is above its intrinsic value, which might be determined by factors such as earnings potential, growth prospects, or industry performance.
This term can also be used in the context of insurance, where an insurance policy might be sold at a premium. In this case, the premium represents the cost of the insurance coverage, including factors such as risk assessment, coverage limits, and deductibles.
Overall, "at premium" refers to a price or value that is higher than what is considered typical or customary. It implies that the item or asset is deemed to have additional value or worth that justifies the higher price.
The phrase "at premium" comes from the Old French word "premieṃ", which originated in the Latin term "praemium". In Latin, "praemium" referred to a reward or prize given in advance. Over time, the meaning of "praemium" shifted to denote an additional payment made to acquire something of higher value or superior quality. This sense of a higher price or value has carried through to modern English, where "at premium" refers to something being priced or valued above its normal or expected level.