Stock Indexes List
Your comprehensive guide to major stock market indexes. Understand how indexes work, track market performance, and discover the best ways to gain exposure.
S&P 500 Index
The S&P 500 is a prominent stock index that tracks the 500 largest companies listed on major U.S. exchanges, such as the NYSE and NASDAQ. This index is weighted based on the total market capitalization of each company's outstanding shares, which means it offers a comprehensive representation of the overall U.S. stock market, more so than other indexes like the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) or the Russell 2000.
Recognized globally as one of the most influential stock indexes, the S&P 500 is market capitalization-weighted. This indicates that companies with larger market values have a more significant impact on the index's overall performance compared to smaller companies. In essence, bigger companies exert more influence over the market's overall movement.
Pro Tip: Investors aiming for exposure to large-cap stocks (such as Apple or Microsoft) might find it beneficial to invest in ETFs like VOO or IVV rather than picking individual stocks for their portfolio.
To closely monitor market trends, $SPY and $ES (S&P 500 futures) are commonly used instruments. Having a chart of either SPY or SPY futures is crucial when trading stocks, as the majority of stocks tend to move in tandem with the broader market.
Major Stock Indexes
Explore the world's most important stock market indexes and learn how to track them.
S&P 500
Ticker: $SPX
Tracks the 500 largest companies listed on major U.S. exchanges. Market capitalization-weighted, offering comprehensive representation of the U.S. stock market.
Dow Jones Industrial Average
Ticker: $DJI
Measures the top 30 U.S. large-cap stocks. One of the oldest and most widely followed indexes, representing blue-chip companies.
NASDAQ Composite
Ticker: $COMPQ
Includes all stocks listed on the NASDAQ exchange. Heavily weighted toward technology and growth companies.
NASDAQ 100
Ticker: $NDX
Measures the top 100 largest non-financial companies listed on NASDAQ. Known for its tech-heavy composition.
Russell 2000
Ticker: $RUT
Tracks 2,000 small-cap U.S. companies. A benchmark for small-cap stock performance and economic health.
CBOE Volatility Index
Ticker: $VIX
Measures market expectations of near-term volatility. Known as the "fear gauge" of the market.
FTSE 100
Ticker: FTSE
Tracks the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange by market capitalization.
DAX 40
Ticker: DAX
Germany's premier stock index, tracking the 40 largest and most liquid companies on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Nikkei 225
Ticker: N225
Japan's leading stock index, tracking 225 large, publicly owned companies from a wide range of industries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about stock indexes and how to invest in them.
What are the three major stock indexes?
1. S&P 500: measures 500 large-caps in U.S. stock market
2. Dow Jones 30: measures the top 30 U.S. large-cap stocks
3. Nasdaq 100: measures the top 100 largest non-financial companies
What is the difference between a stock and an index?
A stock allows investors partial ownership in a company. An index gives investors the option of investing in a basket of companies through products like ETFs, mutual funds, and derivatives.
Can you invest directly in an index?
An index cannot be traded or invested in directly. Many different products, such as ETFs, mutual funds, and derivatives, are available to investors to gain exposure to index performance.
What are the ticker symbols for major indexes?
1. S&P 500 – SPX or $SPX
2. Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) – $DJI
3. Nasdaq Composite – COMPQ or $COMPQ
4. NYSE Composite – (DJ)
5. Russell 2000 – RUT or $RUT
What is the most widely cited US stock market index?
The most widely cited US stock market index is the S&P 500, which measures 500 large-cap stocks and is considered the best representation of the overall U.S. stock market.
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