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What are the indices used in the US market? Differences and comparisons

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Created on
March 2, 2023

Summary

What’s Inside

If you have a US stock market alert on your Google account, you must regularly see updates regarding upswings and changes in the NASDAQ Composite, S&P 500, and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA).

These three major stock market indices in the US market track the performance of specific market subsets and can tap into the overall market's pulse. 

Debunking The Key US Indices

The NASDAQ Composite

A market cap-weighted index known as the tech-heavy index. While initially launched with just 100 companies, the index now includes over 3,000 big and small companies traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange. 

The S&P 500

Standard & Poor's 500 index is a collection of stocks from the top 500 companies in the US. While this large-cap stock index is capitalisation-weighted, a company's inclusion depends on other factors like earnings, industry, sector, etc. 

DJIA

Known as the blue-chip stock index, the DJIA tracks the top 30 blue-chip companies with a universal presence across homes in the US. It includes Apple, Cisco, Nike, Microsoft, and others. DJIA is also the most widely quoted price-weighted index among investors. 

Comparing NASDAQ Composite Vs. S&P 500 Vs. DJIA


Here’s a quick comparison of the world’s leading live stock market indices.

Novice investors often confuse these stock indices and use the terms interchangeably. While all three measure the value of the stocks included, each follows a different methodology. The fact that they don’t move in lock-step derives from this key difference.

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Conclusion

These major stock market indices are considered benchmarks as they comprise the most valuable stocks in the US market. As such, investors can use the price movements of these benchmarks to make investment decisions, create a mutual fund portfolio or diversify their holdings into different segments. Many investors use various stock market indicators in the US, such as the performance of different US stock market indices, to gauge the overall health and direction of the stock market.

Learn more about US Stocks here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VywxVwa-9nM

Frequently Asked Questions

1.What is meant by Dow Jones?

Dow Jones is not a term. It's an easy moniker for The Dow Jones Industrial Average — a benchmark index for blue-chip stocks in the US.

2. What Index tracks the entire US stock market?

While no index tracks the entire US stock market, the Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Index does tap 95% of US companies. However, it excludes some small-cap firms. 

3. What are the 3 US stock market indexes?

The three major US stock market indices are the NASDAQ Composite, S&P 500, and the DJIA.

4‍. How many indices are there in the USA?

There are numerous indices in the United States, each of which tracks a different segment of the stock market. Some of the most widely followed indices include the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500, and the NASDAQ Composite.

5. What is the USA stock market index called?

The US stock market index is called the S&P 500, which is a market-cap weighted index of 500 large publicly traded companies in the United States.

6. What is the difference between the NASDAQ and the S&P?

The NASDAQ and the S&P are both stock market indices, but they track different types of companies. The NASDAQ focuses on technology companies and includes many fast-growing startups, while the S&P 500 is a broader index that covers a wider range of industries and sectors. Additionally, the NASDAQ is market-cap weighted, meaning that larger companies have a greater impact on the index's performance, while the S&P 500 is weighted based on the total market value of all the companies included in the index.

Disclaimer

Investment and securities are subject to market risks. Please read all the related documents carefully before investing. The contents of this article are for informational purposes only, and not to be taken as a recommendation to buy or sell securities, mutual funds, or any other financial products.
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