Shares held as inventory (5,2,4)

I believe the answer is:

stock in hand

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'inventory' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't judge whether it can be defined by this definition.

'shares held' is the wordplay.
'shares' becomes 'stock'.
'held' becomes 'inhand' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'stock'+'inhand'='STOCK IN HAND'

'as' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for stock in hand that I've seen is " trading reserve?".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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