Distribution stock refers to a large block of a security which is sold into the market gradually in smaller blocks rather than in a single large block. This is typically done to avoid inundating the market with the security and driving down the average selling price of the securities.

It is often necessary for large investment funds to employ traders to watch the market and gradually liquidate significant holdings of securities at the best prices possible. These traders employ a number of techniques to sell distribution stock over time. If a trader is successful, he or she can sell a large position over a period of days, weeks or months without depressing prices or tipping off others to the presence of a large seller in the market.