What is the difference between securities and stocks?
by Ad Min - A security is any financial instrument (contract) that falls under securities regulation. In the US that would be the (sec.gov) Securities and Exchange Commission. A publicly listed and traded stock is always a security, but as mentioned in other answers, company debt can also be a security.
On the other hand stock as in the common stock (share) in a corporation, need not be a security if that company is private.
On the other hand stock as in the common stock (share) in a corporation, need not be a security if that company is private.