Yes, there is a difference between money stock and money supply, although the terms are often used interchangeably in casual conversation.
Money Stock: This term refers specifically to the total amount of money available in an economy at a particular point in time. It includes all the liquid money such as cash, coins, and balances held in checking and savings accounts. Essentially, money stock provides a snapshot of the monetary resources available in the economy.
Money Supply: On the other hand, money supply typically refers to the total amount of money available in the economy for purchasing goods and services, but it may also encompass various definitions depending on the context. For example, money supply can be categorized into several measures like M1, M2, etc. M1 includes physical currency and demand deposits, while M2 includes M1 plus savings accounts and other near-money assets.
In essence: while money stock focuses on the available currency at a given moment, money supply can refer to broader measures that include different forms of money as defined by central banks or financial institutions. Understanding the distinction helps in analyzing monetary policy and economic conditions more accurately.