stocks
n. C / Un. shares of ownership in a company. When you buy these, you own a small part of the business and hope its value grows.
n. the capital raised by a corporation through the distribution of shares, entitling holders to a portion of the profits. Often used interchangeably with 'shares' in general financial contexts.
She invests her savings in stocks and bonds.
The value of his stocks dropped significantly after the company reported lower earnings than investors expected.
Diversifying a portfolio across various international stocks can mitigate the risk associated with a downturn in any single domestic market or industry sector.
Plural form is standard when referring to the market or a collection of shares; the singular 'stock' refers to the abstract concept of equity.
I bought many stocks of AppleI bought many shares of AppleUse 'shares' when referring to a specific number of units in one company; 'stocks' usually refers to holdings in multiple companies.