You and a group of your friends have been discussing your portfolios at the company water cooler- Your discussion has centered on how your stocks are moving up or down in price relative to the market as a whole- Each stock's ________ is likely the best measure of the relationship.

What is a a stock?

A stock represents an ownership stake in a company as a common shareholder.

Common stocks allow shareholders to vote on company issues, with most companies granting one vote per share.

Some companies also offer stockholders dividend payouts, giving investors a stream of income on top of the market value of the stock.