Which term refers to a category of investments, including stocks and bonds?

The term that refers to a category of investments, including stocks and bonds, is securities. Securities are financial instruments that represent an ownership position in a company (in the case of stocks) or a creditor relationship with a governmental body or corporation (in the case of bonds). They are regulated by governmental bodies and are used by companies and governments to raise capital from investors.

Understanding securities is fundamental in investing because they encompass a wide range of investment types, including not just stocks and bonds but also options, mutual funds, and other financial instruments. This classification helps investors identify the nature of their investments and the associated risks and returns.

While assets refer to any economic resource owned by an individual or entity, and holdings generally denote specific investments owned at any given time, only "securities" specifically captures both stocks and bonds under one umbrella term within the financial markets. Equities specifically refer to stocks, which is just one portion of the broader category encompassed by securities.