stockstock1 /stɒkstɑːk/ noun1[countableC, uncountableU] especially American EnglishAmEFINANCE one of the shares into which ownership of a company is divided, or these shares considered togetherThe company might issue (=make available and sell) stock in order to pay down debt.
Investors are likely to earn superior returns if they hold (=own) stock for five years or longer.
More than 100 companies have filed plans to sell stock to the public for the first time.
The company sold a block of stock (=a large quantity of shares, usually more than 10,000) in the Hong Kong firm to unknown investors.
Stock prices were up in heavy trading.
2(Class) A/B/C stockFINANCE different classes of a company’s stock. Each class has different characteristics, for example the right to vote at shareholders’ meetingsThe Class B stock carries 10 times the votes of the Class A common stock.
→ active stock → advancing stocks → authorized stock → barometer stock → bearer stock → Big Board stock → blue chip stock → bonus stock → capital stock → classified common stock → common stock → consolidated stock → convertible loan stock → convertible stock → cumulative preferred stock → cyclical stock → debenture stock → declining stocks → defensive stock → diluted stock → Exchequer stock → glamour stocks → growth stock → income stock → large-cap stock → listed stock → loan stock → mid-cap stock → new stock → non-voting stock → no-par stock → ordinary stock → outstanding stock → over-the-counter stock → partly-paid stock → penny stock → preference stock → quoted stock → red chip stock → redeemable stock → registered stock → second-tier stock → sleeper stock → small stock → split stock → underlying stock → unlisted stock → value stock → volatile stock → voting stock → watered stock → when-issued stock → widow-and-orphan stock → gilt stocks → irredeemable stock → local authority stock → tap stock → Treasury stock4[countableC, uncountableU] (also stocks)COMMERCE a supply of a COMMODITY (=oil, metal, farm product etc) that has been produced and is kept to be used when neededGlobal stocks (=total stocks in the world) of cocoa amount to 2 million tons, the equivalent of about eight months’ usage.
→ buffer stock5[countableC, uncountableU] especially British EnglishBrEMANUFACTURING a supply of RAW MATERIALs (=materials for use in manufacturing) or parts before they are used in production, or a supply of FINISHED GOODSSYN inventoryIf you are going to have a large stock of components you must store them sensibly.
When an unexpected rise in demand occurs, it can be met partly by producing more and partly by running down (=reducing by using) stocks of finished goods.
6[countableC, uncountableU]COMMERCE a supply of goods, kept for sale by a shop or other RETAILEREquipment importers had big stocks of last year’s skis and boots still on their hands.
Most children’s bookshops will always have these titles in stock.
A problem with production meant that all the shops were out of stock (=had none of something left).
Distribution control has cut out two layers from the chain, giving greater control of retail stock levels (=quantities in stock).
→ average stock → closing stock → dead stock → opening stock → safety stock7[countableC, uncountableU]PROPERTY the houses, flats etc available in a particular placeThe list of discounts offered by housebuilders gets longer as the stock of unsold new homes rises.
Another aspect of housing which merits attention is the condition of the older housing stock.
8[countableC, uncountableU]ECONOMICS an amount of gold, money etc that a country, company etc has available at a particular timeThe US gold stock was down $1 million in November to $11.06 billion.
By making goods scarce, high tax policies render the existing stock of money more inflationary.
→ capital stock → money stock9FARMING [uncountableU] farm animals, especially cattleSYN LIVESTOCKHe invested in stock, building up a herd of 1000 cattle.
→ see also rolling stock