The US ISM Manufacturing PMI data reveal a worse-than-expected index reading of...
A to Z
Dow Jones
In this section, you will find important Dow Jones news, actionable trading ideas, and a live Dow Jones CFD chart to help you understand the markets better.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJIA) or more commonly known as “The Dow” is a US stock index. It represents the top-thirty publicly-traded companies listed on the NASDAQ and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
As the stock index is made up of thirty firms, the volatility in Dow Jones is significant, making it popular amongst short-term traders and speculators. Traders also use it to take bets on the US and world economy, as the firms in the Dow, like Apple or Microsoft, have worldwide operations.
Initially, the Dow Jones was only composed of 12 companies that represented the most significant industrial firms in the USA. Now, the “Industrial” in DJIA is more of a historical term than a practical one because most stocks listed are no longer associated in the industrial sector or are involved in manufacturing and construction. An excellent example of this is IBM or American Express.
Founded in 1885, Dow Jones got its name from its founders Charles Dow and Edward Jones, who also established a news firm specializing in business and finance, which goes by the same name, Dow Jones.
The set of companies in the Dow Jones change, but current and famous companies in the index are Microsoft, Apple, Nike, IBM, Visa, and Coca-Cola.
