What is the difference between a stock and a share?

plip asked:


As far as I can understand a stock and a share may have the same meaning. How can they be distinguished from one another when used? How can I understand when a stock means a share or it means all shares equaled to capitalization of a company. How to understand a sentnce – What do you get when you own a stock? What stock is meant here?

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2 Responses to “What is the difference between a stock and a share?”

  1. iamkool15 Says:

    share is part of stock

  2. USAF Dude Says:

    Ok, basically stocks are grouped together and called stocks because each “stock” is a portion you own of a certain company.

    The shares are what make up each stock.

    So say you own five stocks, and each stock you have twenty shares.
    - Company one = 20 shares
    - Company two = 20 shares
    …etc.