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I’m sure you’ve heard of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), or simply “the Dow”. It’s reported on the news every evening. The Dow was up or down today. What does that really mean? Sure, you know that it has something to do with the Stock Market, but beyond that you’re unclear, right? Don’t be discouraged. Most Americans couldn’t tell you much about the DJIA. The Dow Jones Industrial average is one of the oldest surviving and oft quoted stock market indices in the world. It was started in 1896 by Charles Dow. When it was started it tracked 12 stocks. Today it represents 30 stocks. Despite being used as a gauge of stock market performance by many I think there are a couple problems with the Dow. The first is that it is tiny. People often assume that the Dow represents the overall movements of the entire stock market. But it only represents the movements of 30 stocks. Compared to the over 4,000 actively traded stocks in the U.S. markets, the Dow is a gauge of very little indeed. Another problem with the DJIA is that it is a price-weighted index. That means that the index gives a larger weight to the underlying stock components with the higher stock prices. It does not assign weight to is components by how much of their industry they comprise or the market capitalization of the individual corporations, the way other more useful indices do. So the next time you hear about the Dow being up or down, don’t assume that the entire market is following suit. This tiny little index is an outdated gauge of 30 individual stocks. If you really want a broader picture of how the overall U.S. market is doing, I suggest looking at a better, more inclusive index like the Russell 3000 or the Wilshire 5000.

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The ticker symbol for the Dow Jones industrial average = $DJX; at least this is for practical purposes because this is the symbol to input if you want to know the average at any point in time. Can you buy something with this symbol as you would buy a stock or a stock fund? The answer to this is no. If you want to buy the average, so to speak, then look for an Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) that carries the 30 stocks of the DOW. Likely some ETF's may closely replicate the DOW, but may not be exactly the same. This question is for future research and one example is an iShare with ticker = IYJ. There are many ETF's out there. Check 'em out.


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Related Questions

When did the Dow Jones Industrial Average go over 10000 for the first time?

March 29, 1999 pch answer order: 28-Mar-99


What is the Dow Jones figure?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is one of several Indices created using a collection of stocks, which are changed over time. The DJIA is based on 30 top companies in the US.


What was Dow Jones average January 2 2009?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 9,034.69 on January 2, 2009. It was above 9000 for the first time since November 2008. Source: CNNMoney.com Market Report 02-01-09


What does DOWJONES stand for?

Dow Jones industrial average represents 30 biggest companies in stock market which determines how is the stock market doing at that given time.


What is the highest Dow Jones industrial average?

On Wednesday, March 6, 2013 the Dow Jones closed at 14,296.24. That topped the all-time high of 14,164 of October 9, 2007. Update: On July 3, 2014, The Dow Jones closed at 16,976.24.


Has Dow Jones ever reached 15000?

No. Dow Jones Industrial's all time high was 14,164 in October 2007.See related link.


What was the Dow Jones closing average on Dec 31 1984?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 1,211.36 on December 31, 1984. This marked an increase from the previous year, reflecting a period of economic growth during the early 1980s. The index was influenced by various factors, including monetary policy and corporate earnings at the time.


What year did the Dow reach 1000?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average first reached the milestone of 1000 points on November 14, 1972. This marked a significant moment in stock market history, reflecting the economic conditions of the time. It would take nearly 16 years for the Dow to surpass this level again, highlighting the volatility of the market during that period.


What time does dow jones close today?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average typically closes at 4:00 PM Eastern Time on regular trading days. If today is a regular trading day and not a holiday, you can expect it to close at that time. For exact times or any changes, it's best to check a financial news source or the official stock exchange website.


What was Dow Jones average 1988?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed the year 1988 at approximately 2,168. The index had experienced a significant increase throughout the year, reflecting a strong stock market performance. In 1988, the DJIA saw a year-end gain of about 11%, highlighting positive investor sentiment and economic conditions at the time.


What time does the dowjones open and close as per Indian standard time?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average opens at 7:30 PM IST (Indian Standard Time) and closes at 2:30 AM IST on trading days.


What time does Dow Jones open today?

The Dow Jones Industrial index is opening on Wall Street at 9.30 EST which is equivalent to 14.30 BST or 13.30 GMT