If you think shares and stocks are the same, you are missing the point. Stock, in the real sense of meaning, is the representation of ownership interest or investment in a public company, while on the other hand, a share is the smallest unit of a specific stock of a company. A company usually offers stocks to attract investors for their investment, but shares are units of measurement. The stock is not specific and can’t be associated with a number such as, “I have 100,000 stock in Coca-Cola.” Each share has a representation of ownership interest and can be measured in number. Companies issue stock to attract investors in order to raise money to allow the company to expand, launch new products, buy equipment, or for other reasons. When you buy stock, you buy an ownership interest in the company in hopes of getting a return on your investment.