Stock

Stock Definition

In the Industrial Age from 1800-1915, stocks represented ownership in companies and allowed businesses to raise money for expansion. This was important because it enabled industrial growth and innovation, helping companies like railroads and factories to thrive. People invested in stocks to share in the profits of these growing companies, which could lead to personal wealth. Today, stocks remain a vital part of the economy, allowing individuals to invest in companies like Apple or Tesla and potentially grow their savings. For instance, through a retirement account, people today can invest in stocks to secure their financial future, continuing the tradition of using stocks to build wealth over time.

Practice Version

Stock Definition

Stock: All of the shares into which ownership of the corporation is divided. Stock. In history, stock represents partial ownership in a company, first popularized in the 1600s with the Dutch East India Company.