Stocks: meaning, definitions and examples

Use in general discussions about owning parts of a company through financial instruments.

• She decided to invest in tech stocks.
• The stock market was volatile today.

Use when discussing ownership units of a specific company or the act of owning part of a company.

• He bought 100 shares of Apple.
• She sold her shares after the company's profits dropped.

Use in more formal contexts or financial discussions implying ownership rights in a company.

• He has a diverse portfolio of equities.
• Equities tend to be riskier than bonds but can offer higher returns.

Use in formal, legal, or financial contexts to describe a range of tradeable financial assets.

• Government securities are considered safe investments.
• The financial advisor recommended several different types of securities.

Refers to the shares of ownership in a company, typically used in the context of financial markets and investments. Can also refer to supplies of goods available for sale or use, but this usage is less common.

• She invested heavily in tech stocks.
• The company’s stocks have risen by 10% this year.

Refers to the complete list of items in stock, typically used in a business or warehouse setting. The term can also refer to the process of keeping track of these items.

• We need to do an inventory check at the end of the month.
• The warehouse manager keeps the inventory up-to-date.

General term for items that are produced and sold. Used in both everyday conversation and business contexts to describe physical items that are bought, sold, or traded.

• The store offers a wide variety of goods.
• They import goods from several countries.

Refers to products that are bought and sold, typically in the context of retail or commerce. Can be used to describe items in a store or promotional products.

• The new merchandise will arrive next week.
• Shoppers are looking for branded merchandise.

Use 'stocks' when referring to the available quantity of goods or materials in a store or warehouse.

• Our stocks of winter coats are running low
• The store needs to check its stocks regularly

Use 'supply' when discussing the total amount of a product or material that is available, especially in a broader context involving needs or demands.

• The supply of medical equipment has been limited
• They have a steady supply of fresh vegetables from local farms

Use 'replenish' when talking about refilling or restoring the supply of something that has been used up.

• We need to replenish the shelves with fresh fruits
• The water station needs to be replenished every morning

Use 'store' when referring to keeping goods or materials in a space for future use or sale.

• We store the extra inventory in the warehouse
• It's essential to store food properly to prevent spoilage