Gain, also known as capital gain or profit, is a term used to describe a positive increase in the value of an asset over a short period of time. Put more simply, when an investor or trader makes money from selling an asset or security for more than its purchase price, it is considered a gain.

Being aware of the concept of gains is important for stock market traders and investors, as gains can help signify the success or quality of a well-thought out strategy and may also inform similar future investments. Gains can also be realized through investing in commodities, currencies, and bonds as well.

Gains arise from appreciation in value of an asset, ownership of which may come from investments or trading. When an asset is purchased with the express goal of making money at a lower price than that at which it could be sold, should its value increase, the user is said to have gained profit. For example, if an investor buys a share of a company for $10 and then sells that same share for $15, the party involved has made a $5 profit, or gain, as the purchase price was lower than the selling price.

Gains can be capital or realized, with capital gains referring to the appreciation in value of an asset without its actual sale and realized gains being defined as profits gained through the sale of an asset. Capital gains are typically taxed and often taken into account when investors and traders are developing strategies for potentially successful investments. Realized gains, on the other hand, are usually subject to taxation, with the tax rates varying from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Gains may also refer to a business or company's overall profits or net income, which is the total gains from the sales and operations of the company. This can be derived from the company's income statement or balance sheet by subtracting total expenses from total revenues.

When all is said and done, gains, which can be viewed as potential profits or earnings, might be the most important goal for some investors, as it continues to be a vital indicator of success and could work as a deciding factor when investing. Gains are also seen as a form of compensation and reward for taking risk when investing or trading, and a good understanding of the concept can help investors and traders make more informed decisions when investing.