Inventory and stock are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings in the business context. Inventory refers to all raw materials and finished goods held by a company at any given time. It is typically organized into categories such as material type, lot size, supplier, etc. Stock, on the other hand, is the value of shares or financial securities held by investors. It is also known as equity capital, which represents a claim on the assets and profits of a business. In summary, inventory is a tangible asset while stock is an intangible asset.