Definition
A stock represents an ownership share in a limited company. Companies issue stocks to raise capital from investors. As a shareholder you own a percentage of the company — and have the right to a corresponding share of the profits.
Example: Equinor has approximately 3.2 billion shares. If you own 1,000 shares you own 0.00003% of Norway largest company.
"A stock is not just a piece of paper — it is a piece of a living company with people, ideas and a future."— Florence Scovel Shinn