An index tracks a defined basket by fixed rules: membership criteria, weighting (usually market-cap) and review schedules. It turns 'the market' from a feeling into a number.
Indices power ETFs and index funds, benchmark active managers, and settle derivatives. Know an index's construction before concluding anything from its level.
Example
Judging your 12% return? Against a Nifty at +8% you won; against Nasdaq-100 at +25% you chose the wrong arena. Benchmarks make returns honest.
In Ticker Screener
S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow and nine more economies' indices stream in the Markets tab with native currencies and macro context.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy an index directly?
No - buy its ETF or index fund shadow. Compare expense ratio and tracking error between shadows of the same index.
Related terms
ETF
Exchange-traded fund: a basket of stocks, bonds or gold bought like one share. Instant diversification, tiny fees.
Nifty 50
India's benchmark: 50 large stocks across 14+ sectors on the NSE. When India 'is up 1%', this is usually the number.
S&P 500
500 large US companies, cap-weighted. The default scoreboard for American equities - and your global benchmark.
S&P 500 vs Nasdaq vs Dow: Which US Index Should You Actually Watch?
What each American benchmark measures, when they disagree, and how to keep all three in view while you browse.
P/E, ROCE, ROE, P/B, dividend yield and market cap — live beside every price in your watchlist.