Market Indexes

Market index pages explain how equity benchmarks are constructed, weighted, interpreted, and used as reference points for portfolios, valuation signals, and market commentary.

This section keeps index names, capitalization weighting, float adjustment, and broad equity-market benchmark terms together instead of mixing them into the general stock dictionary.

In this section

• Commodity, Freight, and Specialized Indexes
  Specialized benchmark pages for commodity indexes, shipping-rate indexes, and capital-cost index series.
  • Baltic Exchange: Maritime Market Data Provider
    Comprehensive overview of the Baltic Exchange, an organization that provides vital maritime market data, including the Supramax Index.
  • Capesize Index: Measuring Freight Rates for Larger Ships
    The Capesize Index is a sub-index of the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) that focuses on freight rates for larger ships navigating major marine routes, such as the route between Brazil and China.
  • S&P GSCI: Definition, Commodity Types, and Potential Drawbacks
    Explore the S&P GSCI, an index of 24 exchange-traded futures contracts representing a significant portion of the global commodities market. Learn about its definition, the types of commodities listed, and potential drawbacks.
  • Upstream Capital Costs Index (UCCI): Comprehensive Overview and Functionality
    An in-depth examination of the Upstream Capital Costs Index (UCCI), detailing its purpose, methodology, components, historical context, and significance in the oil and gas industry.
• Economic Sentiment and Macro Indexes
  Market-facing macro index pages used by investors to interpret confidence, purchasing-power, and economic-cycle signals.
  • Big Mac Index: Understanding Exchange Rate and Purchasing Power Parity
    An in-depth exploration of the Big Mac Index, a light-hearted yet informative tool introduced by The Economist to measure purchasing power parity and assess the real value of currencies.
  • Business Confidence Index: Measuring Corporate Perspective on Economic Health
    The Business Confidence Index (BCI) quantifies and tracks business leaders' attitudes and plans, providing insight into the overall economic health from a corporate perspective.
  • Consumer Confidence Index (CCI): Economic Sentiment Measure
    An economic indicator that measures the degree of optimism consumers feel about the overall state of the economy and their personal financial situation.
  • Lagging Economic Index (LAG): Follows Economic Trends and Confirms Patterns
    A comprehensive guide to understanding Lagging Economic Index (LAG), its historical context, types, key events, explanations, models, importance, and applications in Economics and Finance.
• Global Equity Indexes
  Equity index terms used to benchmark regional markets, global equity exposure, sectors, and market styles.
  • Asia-Pacific and Emerging Equity Indexes
    S&P BSE Sensex, Hang Seng, KOSPI, Nifty 50, Nikkei 225, S&P/ASX 200, and TOPIX terms.
    • Hang Seng Index: A Leading Benchmark for Hong Kong's Stock Market
      The Hang Seng Index (HSI) is an arithmetically weighted index that tracks the performance of selected stocks on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. It serves as a vital indicator of the overall market performance in Hong Kong.
    • Korean Composite Stock Price Indexes (KOSPI): Meaning, History, and Significance
      A comprehensive guide on Korean Composite Stock Price Indexes (KOSPI), covering their meaning, historical development, significance in the financial markets, and practical applications.
    • Nifty 50: Premier Stock Index of NSE
      An in-depth look into the Nifty 50, the premier stock index of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India, representing the performance of the top 50 major companies listed.
    • Nikkei 225: A Leading Japanese Stock Market Index
      The Nikkei 225 is a stock market index for the Tokyo Stock Exchange, tracking 225 prominent publicly owned companies in Japan.
    • S&P BSE Sensex Index: A Comprehensive Guide to India's Benchmark Stock Index
      An in-depth exploration of the S&P BSE Sensex Index, its history, components, and significance for the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Learn about how the index is calculated, its impact on investors, and its role in the Indian stock market.
    • S&P/ASX 200: An Overview of Australia's Leading Stock Market Index
      The S&P/ASX 200 is a stock market index that comprises the top 200 companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). It is one of the primary indicators of the Australian stock market's performance.
    • TOPIX: Comprehensive Overview of the Tokyo Stock Price Index
      Detailed information about TOPIX, a major Japanese stock market index, including its definition, components, calculation method, and historical significance.
  • European Equity Indexes
    CAC 40, DAX, Eurofirst 300, IBEX 35, Swiss Market Index, and WIG index terms.
    • CAC-40: Capitalization-Weighted Index of 40 Major Shares on Paris Bourse
      An overview of the CAC-40, a capitalization-weighted price index of the 40 most actively traded shares on the Paris Bourse. This entry explores its structure, significance, historical context, and comparisons with other indices like the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA).
    • DAX: An Index Representing 30 Major Companies on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange
      The DAX, or Deutscher Aktienindex, is a stock market index that represents 30 of the largest and most liquid companies on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
    • EUROFIRST 300 INDEX: An Overview of the European Equity Benchmark
      The EUROFIRST 300 INDEX, also known as the FTSEurofirst 300, is a stock market index of the 300 largest companies by market capitalization in Europe, providing a comprehensive measure of European equity market performance.
    • IBEX 35: The Benchmark Stock Market Index for the Madrid Stock Exchange
      The IBEX 35 is the benchmark stock market index for the Madrid Stock Exchange, representing the performance of the top 35 companies listed on this exchange.
    • Swiss Market Index (SMI): The Leading Stock Index of the SIX Swiss Exchange
      An in-depth look at the Swiss Market Index (SMI), including its historical context, structure, key events, importance, and more.
    • WIG Index: Warsaw Stock Exchange Index Overview
      Comprehensive coverage of the Warsaw Stock Exchange Index (WIG), including its historical context, significance, categories, key events, formulas, and examples.
  • Global, U.S., and Style Equity Indexes
    EAFE, MSCI Emerging Markets, MSCI World, NYSE Composite, OEX, KBW Bank Index, and high-beta index terms.
    • EAFE Index: Comprehensive Definition, Included Countries, and Benchmarking Uses
      An in-depth exploration of the MSCI EAFE Index, including its definition, the countries included, and its application as a prominent benchmark for major international equity markets in Europe, Australasia, and the Far East.
    • High Beta Index: Understanding Volatility and Market Performance
      Explore the concept of High Beta Index, focusing on its characteristics, use cases, and the well-known S&P 500 High Beta Index. Learn how it signifies higher volatility and its implications on investment strategies.
    • KBW Bank Index: Meaning, Overview, and Historical Context
      A comprehensive examination of the KBW Bank Index, its significance in the banking sector, its components, and historical evolution.
    • MSCI Emerging Markets Index: Overview and Investment Guide
      Comprehensive overview and investment guide to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, created by Morgan Stanley Capital International, to measure performance in emerging markets.
    • MSCI World Index: Global Equity Benchmark
      The MSCI World Index is a global equity benchmark that represents large- and mid-cap equity performance across 23 developed markets, providing a comprehensive snapshot of global economic performance.
    • New York Stock Exchange Composite Index: Market-Value-Weighted Price Index
      A comprehensive overview of the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index, including its definition, components, calculation, historical context, and significance.
    • OEX: Standard & Poor's 100 Stock Index
      Standard & Poor’s 100 stock index, known as OEX, is an American stock market index comprised of 100 leading U.S. stocks with options traded on various exchanges.
  • UK and FTSE Indexes
    FTSE, FTSE 100, Financial Times Actuaries indexes, and London-market benchmark terms.
    • Financial Times Actuaries All-Share Index: Comprehensive Stock Market Indicator
      An in-depth exploration of the Financial Times Actuaries All-Share Index, covering its historical context, significance, components, calculations, and impact on the financial market.
    • Financial Times Actuaries Share Indexes: A Comprehensive Overview
      An in-depth look at the Financial Times Actuaries Share Indexes, their historical context, types, key events, formulas, and their significance in the financial world.
    • Financial Times Industrial Ordinary Share Index: Overview and Significance
      An in-depth look at the Financial Times Industrial Ordinary Share Index, including its historical context, types, key events, models, and its importance in the financial world.
    • Financial Times Share Indexes: Understanding Major Market Benchmarks
      Explore the comprehensive world of Financial Times Share Indexes, including historical context, types, key events, models, and their importance in finance.
    • Financial Times Stock Exchange Group (FTSE): Comprehensive Overview and Key Insights
      A meticulous exploration of the Financial Times Stock Exchange Group (FTSE), its role in global financial markets, various indices, historical significance, and application in finance.
    • FTSE 100: The Financial Times Stock Exchange Index
      An in-depth analysis of the FTSE 100 index, popularly known as FOOTSIE, covering its components, significance, and role in financial markets.
    • FTSE: A Series of Stock Market Indices
      A detailed exploration of FTSE indices, particularly FTSE 100, which represent the performance of companies listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
• Index Concepts, Weighting, and Methodology
  Investment-index terms for benchmark construction, weighting methods, float adjustment, and market-capitalization mechanics.
  • Index Concepts And Market Indexes
    Investing terms for index concepts and market indexes.
    • Index: Statistical Compilation of Economic or Financial Conditions
      A comprehensive look into Indexes, their formation, applications, and significance in economics and finance, including their impact on contracts and adjustments.
    • Indexing: Definition, Types, and Applications in Economics and Investing
      Explore the comprehensive world of Indexing, from its definition and types to its crucial applications in economics and investing. Learn how indexing compares to other methodologies, its historical context, and practical examples of its use.
    • Stock Market Index: Measures the Performance of a Group of Stocks
      A comprehensive look into what a Stock Market Index is, its types, functions, history, and real-world applicability.
  • Index Weighting And Float Methodology
    Investing terms for index weighting and float methodology.
    • Capitalization-weighted Index: Market-Weighted Index Explained
      A Capitalization-weighted Index is a type of market index in which each component's weight is determined by its total market capitalization. This method gives larger companies a greater influence on the index's performance.
    • Float-Adjusted Market Capitalization: Overview and Implications
      Float-Adjusted Market Capitalization adjusts for shares not likely to trade by excluding restricted shares, ensuring a more accurate reflection of a company's market valuation.
    • Free-Float Market Capitalization: The Public Trading Slice
      Understanding Free-Float Market Capitalization: its historical context, significance in stock markets, mathematical models, and its applicability in finance.
    • Free-Float Methodology: Calculating Market Capitalization
      An in-depth exploration of the free-float methodology and its role in calculating market capitalization for index companies.
    • Full-Market Capitalization: Comprehensive Valuation of a Company
      Full-Market Capitalization includes all outstanding shares, both publicly available and restricted, to provide a comprehensive valuation of a company.
    • Price-Weighted Index: Understanding Its Mechanism and Applications
      Explore the principles, mechanics, advantages, and disadvantages of a price-weighted index in stock market analysis and investment strategies.
    • Weighted Average Market Capitalization: Comprehensive Overview and Alternatives
      An in-depth look at weighted average market capitalization, including its definition, application in stock market indices, alternatives, and examples.
• Market Data, Research, and Market Events
  Investment reference pages for market-data sources, long-run return datasets, index products, crashes, and extreme market events.
  • Market Cycles and Crashes
    Focused investing entries about bull markets, bear markets, black swans, and market crashes.
    • Bear Market: Prolonged Period of Declining Stock Prices
      A comprehensive explanation of Bear Markets, their characteristics, examples, historical context, and comparisons with Bull Markets.
    • Black Swan Events in the Stock Market: Definition, Examples, and Historical Context
      Explore the concept of Black Swan events in the stock market, including a comprehensive definition, notable examples, historical impact, and why these events seem obvious in hindsight yet are difficult to predict.
    • Bull Market: An Era of Rising Market Prices
      A bull market signifies a prolonged period of rising prices in the market for assets such as stocks, commodities, and bonds, reflecting investor confidence and inducing a self-sustaining cycle of speculation and investment.
    • Stock Market Crash: Comprehensive Definition and Analysis
      An in-depth exploration of stock market crashes, detailing their causes, effects, historical instances, and preventative measures.
  • Market Research and Index Publications
    Focused investing entries about market research sources, index publications, and benchmark series.
    • CRSP: Comprehensive Databases for U.S. Stock Market Data
      An in-depth look at the Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP), known for its extensive and detailed U.S. stock market data.
    • Nifty Fifty: The Market's Most Favored Stocks of the 1960s and 1970s
      Delve into the history, significance, and impact of the Nifty Fifty, a group of highly favored stocks by institutional investors in the 1960s and 1970s.
    • Stocks, Bonds, Bills, and Inflation Annual Publication
      Learn what the Stocks, Bonds, Bills, and Inflation annual publication is, why investors use it, and how historical return data helps long-horizon analysis.
    • World Equity Benchmark Series (WEBS): Overview and Evolution into iShares MSCI
      A comprehensive guide to the World Equity Benchmark Series (WEBS), its function as an international fund traded on the American Stock Exchange, and its rebranding to iShares MSCI in 2000.
• U.S. Equity and Dividend Indexes
  Named U.S. equity and dividend index pages used for broad-market, sector, and income-oriented benchmarking.
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: Comprehensive Guide
    A detailed exploration of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), including its history, components, calculation methods, significance, and impact on financial markets.
  • Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index: Top Dividend-Paying U.S. Companies
    Comprehensive definition and insights on the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, including its criteria, historical context, and applicability.
  • NASDAQ Composite: A Major Stock Market Index
    The NASDAQ Composite is a major stock market index comprised of over 3,000 stocks, primarily from the technology and innovation sectors.
  • S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index: Definition, Top Companies, and Performance
    Explore the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index, detailing its definition, criteria for inclusion, list of top companies, historical context, and performance insights.
  • S&P 500 High Dividend Index: An Insight into High Dividend Yield Companies
    A detailed exploration of the S&P 500 High Dividend Index, focusing on its composition, calculation, significance, and role in investment strategies.
  • S&P 500: United States Stock Market Index
    A comprehensive overview of the S&P 500, a widely-used stock market index in the United States representing 500 of the largest companies.
  • Wilshire 5000: Broadest Barometer of American Stock Performance
    The Wilshire 5000 is a stock index comprising 5,000 common stocks, representing the most comprehensive barometer of American stock market performance.