An asset sale is the purchase of individual assets and liabilities, whereas a stock sale is the purchase of the owner's shares of a corporation. In a stock sale, the buyer acquires equity from the target company's shareholders.An asset sale otherwise known as an asset deal or asset purchase is a special type of business sale that only deals with assets and liabilities. Asset Sale lets buyers choose specific assets and liabilities; Stock Sale doesn't. Learn the tax implications for each type of sale. In an asset sale, the buyer selects specific assets and typically avoids inheriting liabilities. An asset is ideal if you want more demand and a higher sale price, while a stock sale is ideal if you want to sell sooner and at favorable tax terms. Generally, a stock sale is better for the seller and an asset sale is better for the buyer.