What is the Dow Jones?

U.S. stocks, as measured by the benchmark S&P 500 index, officially fell into “bear market” territory in June 2022. This represents a decline that exceeds 20% of the peak value of the index. The technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite Index and the Russell 2000 Index of small-cap stocks both dropped into bear market status earlier in the year. We’re talking, of course, about the Dow Jones industrial average, which has been tracking the performance of the U.S. stock market since 1896, when the average included only 12 stocks.

Despite raising the Fed Funds rate by 2.25% to 2.5% so far in 2022, inflation numbers remain high. Through August, the Consumer Price Index, the benchmark measure for broad inflation, rose 8.3% over the previous 12 months. While lower than the peak change of 9.1% reached in June, markets appeared concerned the decline wasn’t more significant. While Haworth expects significantly more Fed rate hike activity, it’s notable that economic growth is not collapsing, and the labor market remains strong.

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Viewed as a barometer for the U.S. stock market and economy at large, analysts around the globe follow and discuss the Dow’s movements. Still, in spite of its notoriety, many people don’t fully grasp how it works. Here, we’ll walk you through what exactly the Dow measures, how it’s created and its impact on your own nest egg. The DJIA initially launched with just 12 companies based mostly in the industrial sectors. The original companies operated in railroads, cotton, gas, sugar, tobacco, and oil.

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Any change in the share price of any Dow-listed company affects the value of the index equally, in accordance with Charles Dow’s original vision. But it’s important to realize that, on a percentage basis, the movements of the highest-priced stocks have the greatest impact on the index’s value. West Texas intermediate crude oil futures rose 1.6% to $77.91 per barrel after undercutting $80 per barrel for the first time since January last week. The last few weeks have been difficult for oil stocks as the Energy Select Sector SPDR has fallen over 13%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average reversed lower in midday trading on Tuesday while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq followed suit. The major indexes failed an early bounce once again after officially entering a bear market Monday.

Although the Dow Jones Industrial Average rarely changes, there are occasional additions and deletions. These changes often come in batches and always keep total membership at 30 companies. Although the economy’s health is now tied to many other sectors, the DJIA is still seen as a vital indicator of the U.S. economy’s well-being. What is more, these financial news outlets maintained considerable independence from News Corp.

• U.S. Bancorp Investments is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as both a broker-dealer and an investment adviser.
• This is the first bear market many young investors are facing, and it can be scary.
• Over the last 125 years, the stock market has rewarded some investors with long-term growth.

That could turn off some investors who fear that higher rates will lead to higher prices to be pushed down to consumers, leading the economy further down the path to a recession. This is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as specific investment advice. Investors should make investment decisions based on their unique investment objectives and financial situation. While the information is believed to be accurate, it is not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice. Higher uncertainty on how quickly inflation will cool means higher volatility in financial markets. While the August CPI data move us a bit further away from the best-case scenario, it does not necessarily change the likelihood that the rate of inflation will slow in the coming months, driven by improved supply-and-demand dynamics.

We’re not suggesting there aren’t more challenging days ahead. In fact, we think markets will remain range-bound as more evidence of falling inflation and a less aggressive Fed will be required for a sustained rebound. But we think that a rebound will emerge, and the current pessimism priced into the stock and bond markets gives us confidence that the prospects for the stock market are brighter ahead. We’ve held the view for some time that we’re enduring a “U-shaped” recovery, not a “V-shaped one.” We think we’re making progress along the lower portion of that “U”.

Dow Jones News Analytics

Across all our businesses, we offer keen insight on today’s most critical issues. Hypothetically, if your portfolio returned 12% last year, this should be your real return. For example, if an index made 28% last year, compared to your portfolio which made 12%, your portfolio underperformed relative to the benchmark S&P 500®. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool’s premium services.

For novice investors who want portfolio exposure to a wide range of sectors through familiar large-cap stocks, the companies of the Dow Jones Industrial Average represent a good starting point for your research. That’s especially true if you’re seeking to invest in blue chip companies, which are generally the most stable and profitable on the market. Free Online Investing Workshop Join us for the Virtual Trading Summit and learn the fundamentals of smart investing!

• S&P Dow Jones Indices and its third-party data providers and licensors (collectively “S&P Dow Jones Indices Parties”) do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or availability of the Content.
• NYSE President Lynn Martin takes the reins of an exchange off back-to-back record years for new listings and one positioned for a future where every company is a technology company.
• The fund is sponsored by State Street Global Advisors — another heavyweight in the industry — and it tracks the S&P 500.
• “By technical and historical definitions, we are in a recession,” says Linda García, founder of In Luz We Trust, a financial community geared toward Latinx investors.
• The region’s only voluntary crisis facility resource, DESC’s Crisis Solutions Center in Seattle requires a referral from a first responder, hospital, designated crisis responder, or mobile response team due to its limited capacity.
• ETPs that track a single currency or exchange rate may exhibit even greater volatility.

“Keep in mind that we’re likely to experience market ups and downs regardless, and over time, markets have shown an ability to recover,” says Haworth. “While we may see a more favorable environment develop down the road, the market still faces many challenges given the current economic underpinnings,” says Haworth. Stock market downturns such as these occur periodically, cryptocurrency trading and for various reasons. Sometimes the changes are related to excessive market valuations after an extended bull market. In other cases, they may be due to external events which overwhelm other fundamental factors that traditionally drive stock market performance. Despite its concentrated holdings, it does just about as well tracking the market as does the S&P.

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Stock Market Today: Stocks Fall after Federal Reserve Hikes Interest Rate by 0.75%

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Early, an UTMA/UGMA investment account managed by an adult custodian until the minor beneficiary comes of age, at which point they assume control of the account. It is easy to confuse Dow Jones with the Dow Jones Industrial Average . Often referred to as “the Dow,” the DJIA is one of the most-watched stock indexes in the world, containing companies such as Apple, Boeing, Microsoft, and Coca-Cola. Dow Jones was not a single person, but two of the three people who founded Dow Jones & Company in 1882.

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