Question

Identify the differences between the following three

- Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard and Poor’s 500 Index and S&P / TSX Composite Index?

Answer 1

he Dow Jones Industrial Average is one of the best-known indexes in the United States. It follows the stock movements of 30 of the most influential companies in America including General Electric, Coca Cola and General Motors. It is a 'price-weighted average' index – thus giving more influence to more expensive stocks. Some analysts feel that the price-weighting does not give an accurate picture of stock market movements and that 30 companies are not enough to form an accurate assessment.

The S&P 500 Index is based on 500 United States corporations. These companies are carefully chosen to represent a broad slice of economic activity. It is second in influence after the Dow Jones and is felt to be an accurate predictor of the state of the United States economy.