On the other hand, the S&P 500 currently has 505 large-cap stocks, including all 30 that are in the Dow. Together, the S&P 500 constituents represent about 80% of the U.S. stock market. Most investor money is invested in these large-cap companies. Of course, even this index doesn't cover the whole market, because mid-cap and small-cap stocks aren't represented. For an even more comprehensive U.S. stock index, there's the Russell 3000, which tracks the 3,000 largest publicly traded U.S. companies and represents close to 100% of all U.S. stocks. However, the S&P 500 works well enough and it's commonly treated as proxy for the U.S. market. Capitalization-Weighted Index Superior Another reason why the Dow isn't a great benchmark is that it's a price-weighted index. This means that a stock's weight in the index depends on its per-share price. A $50 stock will have five times as large an impact on the index as a $10 stock even if the company whose stock is $10 is in fact the larger company. This presents a skewed view of the overall market. By contrast, the S&P 500 is a capitalization-weighted index, meaning that the company's weight in the index depends on its market capitalization (price per share x number of shares outstanding). A $100 billion company's stock would have 10 times the weight of a $10 billion company's stock. Since a company's market cap-and not its price-represents its size, a capitalization-weighted index is a better reflection of the overall market. Thus, despite the media's frequent references to the Dow, finance professionals commonly use the S&P as benchmark. As you can see in the chart, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average usually move in the same direction each day, over time their returns can be quite different. Going into the Memorial Day weekend, the Dow is down about 14% for the year while the broader S&P 500 is down about 8%. So the next time you hear the media yapping about the Dow, tune the noise out and check out how the S&P 500 is doing. Editor's Note: Our colleague Scott Chan just provided you with invaluable investing insights. If you're looking for a mega-trend investment that's immune to cyclical ups and downs, turn to the booming marijuana sector. Cannabis investments are a must for your portfolio, but the trick is finding the right pot stocks. Some cannabis stocks are stellar investments. Many others are not. You need to conduct due diligence. The good news is, we've done the homework for you. Our team has unearthed hidden gems in cannabusiness that most investors don't even know about. Looking to make money on marijuana legalization? For our latest research on the most profitable pot stocks, click here. |
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar