What does the term 'store of value' in economics refer to?

The term 'store of value' in economics specifically refers to the ability of an asset to maintain its value over time, allowing individuals to preserve purchasing power for future use. This characteristic is crucial because it ensures that money or other assets can be saved and will still hold value at a later date, rather than losing worth due to factors like inflation.

A classic example of a store of value is money. Individuals can hold cash or deposits, knowing that they can use these assets to make purchases in the future without a significant risk of losing value. This contrasts with goods that may perish or lose value over time, such as food or quickly outdated technology.

The other options either relate to different concepts in economics or do not capture the essence of what a 'store of value' signifies. For instance, comparing goods pertains to a measure of value rather than the retention of value itself, while productivity measurement and economic stability calculations focus on output and broader economic conditions rather than the fundamental idea of preserving value over time.