Share vs. Stock — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 25, 2024
A share represents a single unit of ownership in a company, while stock is a general term for all shares representing ownership in one or more companies.
Difference Between Share and Stock
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A share is a unit of equity ownership in a specific company, signifying a fraction of the corporation's capital. It grants the shareholder certain rights, such as receiving dividends and voting at shareholder meetings. Stock, on the other hand, encompasses the collective shares of one or more companies that an individual or entity might own. Therefore, while you can own shares in a specific company, you own stock as an overall investment in one or more companies.
Shares are issued by companies to raise capital, with each share representing a stake in the company's ownership. The value of a share is determined by various factors, including the company's performance, market conditions, and investor sentiment. Stocks are categorized into two main types: common and preferred. Common stock typically grants voting rights but is last in line for corporate assets, whereas preferred stock usually does not offer voting rights but has priority over common stock in dividend payments and asset distribution.
When investors talk about buying or selling shares, they refer to the specific quantity of stock units in a single company. In contrast, discussing stock often involves talking about investment portfolios comprising multiple companies. The terms "stock market" and "share market" are frequently used interchangeably, but they refer to the marketplace where stocks (or shares) of publicly held companies are bought and sold.
Ownership of shares is a direct investment in a particular company, providing shareholders with a proportional interest in the company’s profits and losses. Stock ownership, while essentially referring to the same principle of equity ownership, is a broader term that can imply a diversified investment across several companies, thereby spreading the risk and potential reward across a wider portfolio.
In terms of legal and financial documentation, "share" is more precise, detailing the exact ownership stake in a particular company. "Stock," however, is more encompassing, often used in general discussions about equity investments without specifying the number of shares or the companies involved.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
A unit of ownership in a specific company.
Collective ownership in one or more companies.
Rights
Dividends, voting rights in the issuing company.
Dividends, potential voting rights depending on the type of stock.
Types
Not applicable.
Common and preferred stock.
Measurement
Quantified in specific units.
General term, not quantified in specific units.
Investment Focus
Specific company.
Diversified across multiple companies.
Compare with Definitions
Share
Represents a specific stake in a company's capital.
Buying 100 shares in a company means owning a fraction of that company.
Stock
Encompasses ownership in any number of companies.
An investor might own stock in several different industries.
Share
Issued by companies to raise funds.
A company might issue new shares to finance expansion.
Stock
Refers to the strategy of holding equity in various companies.
An investor’s stock portfolio might include tech, healthcare, and energy companies.
Share
Affected by company performance and market dynamics.
Shares in a successful company can become more valuable over time.
Stock
Offers different rights and priorities.
Common stockholders have voting rights, while preferred stockholders have priority on dividends.
Share
Direct ownership in a single company.
Purchasing shares of a tech company gives you a direct stake in its future.
Stock
Allows investment across multiple companies.
Holding stock in a variety of sectors can spread risk and increase potential rewards.
Share
Grants dividends and voting rights.
Shareholders may vote on corporate decisions and receive a portion of the profits as dividends.
Stock
Traded on stock markets.
Investors buy and sell stock on exchanges like the NYSE or NASDAQ.
Share
A part or portion belonging to, distributed to, contributed by, or owed by a person or group
The pirates argued over their shares of the treasure.
Stock
Stock (also capital stock) is all of the shares into which ownership of a corporation is divided. In American English, the shares are collectively known as "stock".
Share
An equitable portion
Do one's share of the work.
Stock
A supply accumulated for future use; a store.
Share
One of the equal parts into which the capital stock of a company is divided
Bought 200 shares of the company's stock.
Stock
The total merchandise kept on hand by a merchant, commercial establishment, warehouse, or manufacturer.
Share
A unit of ownership in a mutual fund or other investment vehicle
Bought two shares in a mutual fund.
Stock
All the animals kept or raised on a farm; livestock.
Share
Shares Chiefly British Stocks
European shares jumped two percent. The fund invests half the money in bonds and half in shares.
Stock
All the aquatic animals kept or raised in an aquaculture operation.
Share
A plowshare.
Stock
A population of wild animals, especially of a species that is also farmed
Interactions between hatchery fish and wild stocks.
Share
To accord a share in (something) to another or others
Shared her chocolate bar with a friend.
Stock
A kind of financial security granting rights of ownership in a corporation, such as a claim to a portion of the assets and earnings of the corporation and the right to vote for the board of directors. Stock is issued and traded in units called shares.
Share
To divide and parcel out in shares; apportion
Shared the estate among his heirs.
Stock
The stock issued by a particular company
A mutual fund that invests in technology stocks.
Share
To participate in, use, enjoy, or experience jointly or in turns
Share a responsibility.
Share a room.
Stock
Chiefly British The money invested in a corporation, including debt and equity.
Share
To hold or have jointly with another or others
She shares my view about the election.
Stock
Chiefly British A bond, especially a government bond.
Share
To relate (a secret or experience, for example) to another or others.
Stock
The trunk or main stem of a tree or another plant.
Share
(Computers) To make (a digital file) accessible to other users on a network, as for copying and downloading.
Stock
A plant or stem onto which a graft is made.
Share
To have a share or part
Shared in the profits.
Stock
A plant or tree from which cuttings and slips are taken.
Share
To allow someone to use or enjoy something that one possesses
Being in daycare taught the child to share.
Stock
The original progenitor of a family line.
Share
To use or enjoy something jointly or in turns
There is only one computer, so we will have to share.
Stock
The descendants of a common ancestor; a family line, especially of a specified character
Comes from farming stock.
Share
To talk about personal experiences or feelings with others.
Stock
Ancestry or lineage; antecedents.
Share
A portion of something, especially a portion given or allotted to someone.
Each of the robbers took a share of the loot.
The TV programme was cancelled because it only gained a 10% share of that night's viewing audience.
Stock
The type from which a group of animals or plants has descended.
Share
(finance) A financial instrument that shows that one owns a part of a company that provides the benefit of limited liability.
Stock
A race, family, or other related group of animals or plants.
Share
(computing) A configuration enabling a resource to be shared over a network.
Upload media from the browser or directly to the file share.
Stock
An ethnic group or other major division of the human race.
Share
(social media) The action of sharing something with other people via social media.
Stock
A group of related languages.
Share
(anatomy) The sharebone or pubis.
Stock
A group of related families of languages.
Share
(agriculture) The cutting blade of an agricultural machine like a plough, a cultivator or a seeding-machine.
Stock
The raw material out of which something is made.
Share
To give part of what one has to somebody else to use or consume.
Stock
Paper used for printing.
Share
To have or use in common.
To share a shelter with another
They share a language.
Stock
The broth in which meat, fish, bones, or vegetables are simmered for a relatively long period, used as a base in preparing soup, gravy, or sauces.
Share
To divide and distribute.
Stock
A main upright part, especially a supporting structure or block.
Share
To tell to another.
He shared his story with the press.
Stock
Stocks(Nautical) The timber frame that supports a ship during construction.
Share
To allow public or private sharing of computer data or space in a network
Stock
Often stocks A frame in which a horse or other animal is held for shoeing or for veterinary treatment.
Share
To cut; to shear; to cleave; to divide.
Stock
Stocks A device consisting of a heavy timber frame with holes for confining the ankles and sometimes the wrists, formerly used for punishment.
Share
The part (usually an iron or steel plate) of a plow which cuts the ground at the bottom of a furrow; a plowshare.
Stock
(Nautical) A crosspiece at the end of the shank of an anchor.
Share
The part which opens the ground for the reception of the seed, in a machine for sowing seed.
Stock
The wooden block from which a bell is suspended.
Share
A certain quantity; a portion; a part; a division; as, a small share of prudence.
Stock
The rear wooden, metal, or plastic handle or support of a rifle, pistol, or automatic weapon, to which the barrel and mechanism are attached.
Share
Especially, the part allotted or belonging to one, of any property or interest owned by a number; a portion among others; an apportioned lot; an allotment; a dividend.
Stock
The long supporting structure and mooring beam of field-gun carriages that trails along the ground to provide stability and support.
Share
Hence, one of a certain number of equal portions into which any property or invested capital is divided; as, a ship owned in ten shares.
Stock
A handle, such as that of a whip, a fishing rod, or various carpentry tools.
Share
The pubes; the sharebone.
Stock
The frame of a plow, to which the share, handles, coulter, and other parts are fastened.
Share
To part among two or more; to distribute in portions; to divide.
Suppose I share my fortune equally between my children and a stranger.
Stock
A theatrical stock company.
Share
To partake of, use, or experience, with others; to have a portion of; to take and possess in common; as, to share a shelter with another.
While avarice and rapine share the land.
Stock
The repertoire of such a company.
Share
To cut; to shear; to cleave; to divide.
The shared visage hangs on equal sides.
Stock
A theater or theatrical activity, especially outside of a main theatrical center
A small role in summer stock.
Share
To have part; to receive a portion; to partake, enjoy, or suffer with others.
A right of inheritance gave every one a title to share in the goods of his father.
Stock
(Botany) Any of several Eurasian and Mediterranean plants of the genus Matthiola in the mustard family, especially M. incana, widely cultivated for its clusters of showy, fragrant, variously colored flowers.
Share
Any of the equal portions into which the capital stock of a corporation is divided and ownership of which is evidenced by a stock certificate;
He bought 100 shares of IBM at the market price
Stock
(Games) The portion of a pack of cards or of a group of dominoes that is not dealt out but is drawn from during a game.
Share
Assets belonging to or due to or contributed by an individual person or group;
He wanted his share in cash
Stock
(Geology) A body of intrusive igneous rock of which less than 100 square kilometers (40 square miles) is exposed.
Share
The result of parcelling out or sharing;
Death gets more than its share of attention from theologicans
Stock
(Zoology) A compound organism, such as a colony of zooids.
Share
Any one of a number of individual efforts in a common endeavor;
I am proud of my contribution to the team's success
They all did their share of the work
Stock
Personal reputation or status
A teacher whose stock with the students is rising.
Share
A sharp steel wedge that cuts loose the top layer of soil
Stock
Confidence or credence
I put no stock in that statement.
Share
Have in common;
Our children share a love of music
The two countries share a long border
Stock
A long white neckcloth worn as part of a formal riding habit.
Share
Use jointly or in common
Stock
A broad scarf worn around the neck, especially by certain clerics.
Share
Have, give, or receive a share of;
We shared the cake
Stock
Rolling stock.
Share
Give out as one's portion or share
Stock
To supply (a shop) with merchandise.
Share
Communicate;
I'd like to share this idea with you
Stock
To supply (a farm) with livestock.
Stock
To fill (a stream, for example) with fish.
Stock
To keep for future sale or use.
Stock
To provide (a rifle, for example) with a stock.
Stock
(Obsolete) To put (someone) in the stocks as a punishment.
Stock
To gather and lay in a supply of something
Stock up on canned goods.
Stock
To put forth or sprout new shoots. Used of a plant.
Stock
Kept regularly in stock
A stock item.
Stock
Repeated regularly without any thought or originality; routine
A stock answer.
Stock
Employed in dealing with or caring for stock or merchandise
A stock clerk.
Stock
Of or relating to the raising of livestock
Stock farming.
Stock
Used for breeding
A stock mare.
Stock
Of or relating to a stock company or its repertoire.
Stock
Of or being a conventional character or situation that recurs in many literary or cinematic works.
Stock
A store or supply.
Stock
(operations) A store of goods ready for sale; inventory.
We have a stock of televisions on hand.
Stock
A supply of anything ready for use.
Lay in a stock of wood for the winter season.
Stock
Railroad rolling stock.
Stock
A stack of undealt cards made available to the players.
Stock
Farm or ranch animals; livestock.
Stock
The population of a given type of animal (especially fish) available to be captured from the wild for economic use.
Stock
(finance) The capital raised by a company through the issue of shares. The total of shares held by an individual shareholder.
Stock
The price or value of the stock of a company on the stock market.
When the bad news came out, the company's stock dropped precipitously.
Stock
A share in a company.
Stock
(figurative) The measure of how highly a person or institution is valued.
After that last screw-up of mine, my stock is pretty low around here.
Stock
Any of several types of security that are similar to a stock, or marketed like one.
Stock
The raw material from which things are made; feedstock.
Stock
Broth made from meat (originally bones) or vegetables, used as a basis for stew or soup.
Stock
The type of paper used in printing.
The books were printed on a heavier stock this year.
Stock
Ellipsis of film stock
Stock
Plain soap before it is coloured and perfumed.
Stock
Stock theater, summer stock theater.
Stock
The trunk and woody main stems of a tree. The base from which something grows or branches.
Stock
(horticulture) The plant upon which the scion is grafted.
Stock
(by extension) Lineage, family, ancestry.
Stock
Any of the several species of cruciferous flowers in the genus Matthiola.
Stock
A handle or stem to which the working part of an implement or weapon is attached.
Stock
(firearm) The part of a rifle or shotgun that rests against the shooter's shoulder.
Stock
The handle of a whip, fishing rod, etc.
Stock
Part of a machine that supports items or holds them in place.
Stock
The headstock of a lathe, drill, etc.
Stock
The tailstock of a lathe.
Stock
A bar, stick or rod.
Stock
A ski pole.
Stock
(nautical) A bar going through an anchor, perpendicular to the flukes.
Stock
(nautical) The axle attached to the rudder, which transfers the movement of the helm to the rudder.
Stock
(geology) A pipe (vertical cylinder of ore)
Stock
A type of (now formal or official) neckwear.
Stock
A necktie or cravat, particularly a wide necktie popular in the eighteenth century, often seen today as a part of formal wear for horse riding competitions.
Stock
A piece of black cloth worn under a clerical collar.
Stock
A bed for infants; a crib, cot, or cradle
Stock
(folklore) A piece of wood magically made to be just like a real baby and substituted for it by magical beings.
Stock
(obsolete) A cover for the legs; a stocking.
Stock
A block of wood; something fixed and solid; a pillar; a firm support; a post.
Stock
A person who is as dull and lifeless as a stock or post; one who has little sense.
Stock
The longest part of a split tally stick formerly struck in the exchequer, which was delivered to the person who had lent the king money on account, as the evidence of indebtedness.
Stock
The frame or timbers on which a ship rests during construction.
Stock
Red and grey bricks, used for the exterior of walls and the front of buildings.
Stock
(biology) In tectology, an aggregate or colony of individuals, such as trees, chains of salpae, etc.
Stock
The beater of a fulling mill.
Stock
A thrust with a rapier; a stoccado.
Stock
To have on hand for sale.
The store stocks all kinds of dried vegetables.
Stock
To provide with material requisites; to store; to fill; to supply.
To stock a warehouse with goods
To stock a farm, i.e. to supply it with cattle and tools
To stock land, i.e. to occupy it with a permanent growth, especially of grass
Stock
To allow (cows) to retain milk for twenty-four hours or more prior to sale.
Stock
To put in the stocks as punishment.
Stock
(nautical) To fit (an anchor) with a stock, or to fasten the stock firmly in place.
Stock
To arrange cards in a certain manner for cheating purposes; to stack the deck.
Stock
Of a type normally available for purchase/in stock.
Stock items
Stock sizes
Stock
Having the same configuration as cars sold to the non-racing public, or having been modified from such a car.
Stock
Straightforward, ordinary, just another, very basic.
He gave me a stock answer.
Stock
The stem, or main body, of a tree or plant; the fixed, strong, firm part; the trunk.
Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground, yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
Stock
The stem or branch in which a graft is inserted.
The scion overruleth the stock quite.
Stock
A block of wood; something fixed and solid; a pillar; a firm support; a post.
All our fathers worshiped stocks and stones.
Item, for a stock of brass for the holy water, seven shillings; which, by the canon, must be of marble or metal, and in no case of brick.
Stock
Hence, a person who is as dull and lifeless as a stock or post; one who has little sense.
Let's be no stoics, nor no stocks.
Stock
The principal supporting part; the part in which others are inserted, or to which they are attached.
Stock
The wood to which the barrel, lock, etc., of a rifle or like firearm are secured; also, a long, rectangular piece of wood, which is an important part of several forms of gun carriage.
Stock
The original progenitor; also, the race or line of a family; the progenitor of a family and his direct descendants; lineage; family.
And stand betwixt them made, when, severally,All told their stock.
Thy mother was no goddess, nor thy stockFrom Dardanus.
Stock
The handle or contrivance by which bits are held in boring; a bitstock; a brace.
Stock
Money or capital which an individual or a firm employs in business; fund; in the United States, the capital of a bank or other company, in the form of transferable shares, each of a certain amount; money funded in government securities, called also the public funds; in the plural, property consisting of shares in joint-stock companies, or in the obligations of a government for its funded debt; - so in the United States, but in England the latter only are called stocks, and the former shares.
Stock
The block of wood or metal frame which constitutes the body of a plane, and in which the plane iron is fitted; a plane stock.
Stock
Same as Stock account, below.
Stock
The wooden or iron crosspiece to which the shank of an anchor is attached. See Illust. of Anchor.
Stock
Supply provided; store; accumulation; especially, a merchant's or manufacturer's store of goods; as, to lay in a stock of provisions.
Add to that stock which justly we bestow.
Stock
The support of the block in which an anvil is fixed, or of the anvil itself.
Stock
Domestic animals or beasts collectively, used or raised on a farm; as, a stock of cattle or of sheep, etc.; - called also live stock.
Stock
A handle or wrench forming a holder for the dies for cutting screws; a diestock.
Stock
That portion of a pack of cards not distributed to the players at the beginning of certain games, as gleek, etc., but which might be drawn from afterward as occasion required; a bank.
I must buy the stock; send me good cardings.
Stock
The part of a tally formerly struck in the exchequer, which was delivered to the person who had lent the king money on account, as the evidence of indebtedness. See Counterfoil.
Stock
A thrust with a rapier; a stoccado.
Stock
A covering for the leg, or leg and foot; as, upper stocks (breeches); nether stocks (stockings).
With a linen stock on one leg.
Stock
A kind of stiff, wide band or cravat for the neck; as, a silk stock.
Stock
A frame of timber, with holes in which the feet, or the feet and hands, of criminals were formerly confined by way of punishment.
He shall rest in my stocks.
Stock
The frame or timbers on which a ship rests while building.
Stock
Red and gray bricks, used for the exterior of walls and the front of buildings.
Stock
Any cruciferous plant of the genus Matthiola; as, common stock (Matthiola incana) (see Gilly-flower); ten-weeks stock (M. annua).
Stock
An irregular metalliferous mass filling a large cavity in a rock formation, as a stock of lead ore deposited in limestone.
Stock
A race or variety in a species.
Stock
In tectology, an aggregate or colony of persons (see Person), as trees, chains of salpæ, etc.
Stock
The beater of a fulling mill.
Stock
A liquid or jelly containing the juices and soluble parts of meat, and certain vegetables, etc., extracted by cooking; - used in making soup, gravy, etc.
Stock
Raw material; that out of which something is manufactured; as, paper stock.
Stock
A plain soap which is made into toilet soap by adding perfumery, coloring matter, etc.
At the outset of any inquiry it is proper to take stock of the results obtained by previous explorers of the same field.
Stock
To lay up; to put aside for future use; to store, as merchandise, and the like.
Stock
To provide with material requisites; to store; to fill; to supply; as, to stock a warehouse, that is, to fill it with goods; to stock a farm, that is, to supply it with cattle and tools; to stock land, that is, to occupy it with a permanent growth, especially of grass.
Stock
To suffer to retain milk for twenty-four hours or more previous to sale, as cows.
Stock
To put in the stocks.
Stock
Used or employed for constant service or application, as if constituting a portion of a stock or supply; standard; permanent; standing; as, a stock actor; a stock play; a stock phrase; a stock response; a stock sermon.
Stock
The capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest (equity);
He owns a controlling share of the company's stock
Stock
Liquid in which meat and vegetables are simmered; used as a basis for e.g. soups or sauces;
She made gravy with a base of beef stock
Stock
The merchandise that a shop has on hand;
They carried a vast inventory of hardware
Stock
A supply of something available for future use;
He brought back a large store of Cuban cigars
Stock
Not used technically; any animals kept for use or profit
Stock
The descendants of one individual;
His entire lineage has been warriors
Stock
The handle of a handgun or the butt end of a rifle or shotgun or part of the support of a machine gun or artillery gun;
The rifle had been fitted with a special stock
Stock
The reputation and popularity a person has;
His stock was so high he could have been elected mayor
Stock
A special variety of domesticated animals within a species;
He experimented on a particular breed of white rats
He created a new strain of sheep
Stock
Lumber used in the construction of something;
They will cut round stock to 1-inch diameter
Stock
A certificate documenting the shareholder's ownership in the corporation;
The value of his stocks doubled during the past year
Stock
Any of various ornamental flowering plants of the genus Malcolmia
Stock
A plant or stem onto which a graft is made; especially a plant grown specifically to provide the root part of grafted plants
Stock
Any of several Old World plants cultivated for their brightly colored flowers
Stock
The handle end of some implements or tools;
He grabbed the cue by the stock
Stock
Persistent thickened stem of a herbaceous perennial plant
Stock
An ornamental white cravat
Stock
Have on hand;
Do you carry kerosene heaters?
Stock
Equip with a stock;
Stock a rifle
Stock
Supply with fish;
Stock a lake
Stock
Supply with livestock;
Stock a farm
Stock
Stock up on to keep for future use or sale;
Let's stock coffee as long as prices are low
Stock
Provide or furnish with a stock of something;
Stock the larder with meat
Stock
Put forth and grow sprouts or shoots;
The plant sprouted early this year
Stock
Repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse;
Bromidic sermons
His remarks were trite and commonplace
Hackneyed phrases
A stock answer
Repeating threadbare jokes
Parroting some timeworn axiom
The trite metaphor `hard as nails'
Stock
Routine;
A stock answer
Stock
Regularly and widely used or sold;
A standard size
A stock item
Common Curiosities
Can I own stock without owning shares?
No, owning stock means you own shares; "stock" is just a broader term that can refer to ownership in multiple companies.
What are the benefits of owning shares?
Benefits include receiving dividends, voting rights, and the potential for capital gains as the company grows.
What's the difference between common and preferred stock?
Common stock usually offers voting rights but lower priority for assets and dividends, while preferred stock provides no voting rights but higher priority for dividends and assets.
What distinguishes a share from stock?
A share is a single unit of ownership in a particular company, while stock is a general term referring to ownership in one or more companies.
How do I buy stock?
You can buy stock through a brokerage account by selecting individual shares or through mutual funds and ETFs for diversified investment.
Is it better to invest in shares or stock?
The choice depends on your investment goals; shares offer direct ownership in a company, while stock can refer to a more diversified investment strategy.
What is the role of the stock market?
The stock market facilitates the buying and selling of stock, helping investors to invest in companies and companies to raise capital.
How are shares valued?
Share value is determined by market supply and demand, influenced by the company's performance, investor sentiment, and market conditions.
What happens when a company issues more shares?
Issuing more shares can dilute existing ownership but also raise capital for the company to invest in growth.
Can shares lose value?
Yes, shares can lose value if the company underperforms or if market conditions are unfavorable, leading to potential losses for investors.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Munafiq vs. Kafir
Next Comparison
Education vs. IntelligenceAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
