Definition of dealer

person or firm that acts as a principal, buying (or selling) from their own account for position and risk, as opposed to a broker, who acts as an agent for customers and is paid a commission. Dealers expect to make a profit by selling at a higher price or by correctly guessing future interest rate movements.

In the securities industry, investment banking firms often act as both broker or dealer, depending on the transaction, and the term broker- dealer is commonly used when referring to a dealer firm. See also dealer bank; primary dealer; securities subsidiary.

1. ( securities) a merchant who regularly engages in the purchase and resale of securities to customers. Stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments are considered inventory and are not subject to capital gain or loss treatment for a dealer.
2. one who buys and sells from his or her own account. The number of sales necessary for dealer status may be low (for example, three or four sales for a real estate dealer). The merchandise is inventory; consequently, any gain on the sale is ordinary income.
3. a person who regularly sells or otherwise disposes of personal property on the installment plan, or who disposes of real property that is held by the taxpayer for sale to customers in the ordinary course of the taxpayer's trade or business. A dealer may not use the installment method on certain sales.

1. individual or firm acting as a principal in a securities transaction. Principals trade for their own account and risk. When buying from a broker acting as a dealer, a customer receives securities from the firm's inventory; the confirmation must disclose this. When specialists trade for their own account, as they must as part of their responsibility for maintaining an orderly market, they act as dealers. Since most brokerage firms operate both as brokers and as principals, the term broker-dealer is commonly used.
2. one who purchases goods or services for resale to consumers. The element of inventory risk is what distinguishes a dealer from an agent or sales representative.

merchandise retailer. Dealers purchase and maintain an inventory of the merchandise to be sold and therefore share the costs of marketing and distribution with the manufacturer and wholesaler. Dealers differ from manufacturer's representatives and brokers, who never take title to the merchandise.