inventory

in·ven·to·ry   (ĭn'vən-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē)    n.   pl. in·ven·to·ries A detailed, itemized list, report, or record of things in one's possession, especially a periodic survey of all goods and materials in stock. The process of making such a list, report, or record. The items listed in such a report or record. The quantity of goods and materials on hand; stock. An evaluation or a survey, as of abilities, assets, or resources. tr.v.   in·ven·to·ried, in·ven·to·ry·ing, in·ven·to·ries To make an itemized report or record of. To include in an itemized report or record. [Middle English inventorie, from Medieval Latin inventōrium, alteration of Late Latin inventārium, from Latin inventus, past participle of invenīre, to find; see invent.] in'ven·to'ri·al adj., in'ven·to'ri·al·ly adv.

inventory

An itemized list of a firm's goods that have not yet been sold.

inventory  (n.)

Inventory

Inventory can be either raw materials, finished items already available for sale, or goods in the process of being manufactured. Inventory is recorded as an asset on a company's balance sheet.

Investopedia Commentary

High inventory isn't a good sign because there is a cost associated with storing the extra inventory.

Related Links

Inventory Valuation For Investors: FIFO And LIFO
Measuring Company Efficiency

See also: Balance Sheet, Carrying Cost Of Inventory, FIFO, Inventory Turnover, LIFO

inventory

The amount of raw materials, work in process, and finished goods being held for sale at a given time. Diamonds held by a jeweler, engines owned by General Motors, and canned and frozen foods in a grocery store chain's warehouse are examples of inventory. Inventory is generally the least liquid item listed by a firm in the current asset account of its balance sheet. See also beginning inventory, ending inventory.

Main Entry: in·ven·to·ry
Pronunciation: 'in-v&n-"tOr-E
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ries
1 : an itemized list of current assets: as a : a written list or catalog of the property of an individual, organization, or estate or succession that is made by a fiduciary under oath and that usually describes and assigns a value to the items or classes of property b : aggregate value assigned to an inventory
2 : goods or materials held on hand: as a under the Bankruptcy Code : materials including personal property leased or furnished, held for sale or lease, or to be furnished under a contract for service, raw materials, work in process, or materials used or consumed in a business or held for sale or lease b under section 9-109 of the Uniform Commercial Code : goods that are held by a person who holds them for sale or lease or to be furnished under contracts of service or if he or she has so furnished them or that are raw materials, works in process, or materials used or consumed in a business

Main Entry: in·ven·to·ry
Pronunciation: 'in-v&n-"tOr-E, -"tor-
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ries
1 : a questionnaire designed to provide an index of individual interests or personality traits
2 : a list of traits, preferences, attitudes, interests, or abilities that isused in evaluating personal characteristics or skills