Index

Index
A statistical measure of change in an economy or a securities market. In the case of financial markets, an index is an imaginary portfolio of securities representing a particular market or a portion of it. Each index has its own calculation methodology and is usually expressed in terms of a change from a base value. Thus, the percentage change is more important than the actual numeric value.

Stock and bond market indexes are used to construct index mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) whose portfolios mirror the components of the index.

The Standard & Poor's 500 is one of the world's best known indexes, and is the most commonly used benchmark for the stock market. Other prominent indexes include the DJ Wilshire 5000 (total stock market), the MSCI EAFE (foreign stocks in Europe, Australasia, Far East) and the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index (total bond market).

Because, technically, you can't actually invest in an index, index mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (based on indexes) allow investors to invest in securities representing broad market segments and/or the total market.


Investment dictionary. . 2012.

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  • Index — In dex, n.; pl. E. {Indexes}, L. {Indices}(?). [L.: cf. F. index. See {Indicate}, {Diction}.] [1913 Webster] 1. That which points out; that which shows, indicates, manifests, or discloses; as, the increasing unemployment rate is an index of how… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • Index — In dex, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Indexed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Indexing}.] 1. To provide with an index or table of references; to put into an index; as, to index a book, or its contents. [1913 Webster] 2. (Economics) To adjust (wages, prices, taxes, etc …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Index PX — (hasta marzo de 2006, PX 50) es el índice bursátil más importante de la Bolsa de Praga. El índice PX ha sido calculado desde el 5 de abril de 1994 componiéndose de las cincuenta empresas de mayor capitalización de la Bolsa de Praga. Contenido 1… …   Wikipedia Español

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  • INDEX — s. m. (L X se prononce fortement. ) Mot pris du latin, qui signifie, La table d un livre. Il est principalement d usage en parlant de La table d un livre latin. L index d un livre. Il y a plusieurs index dans ce livre. Index géographique. Index… …   Dictionnaire de l'Academie Francaise, 7eme edition (1835)

  • INDEX — n. m. Mot emprunté du latin. Table explicative qui complète la table des matières d’un livre. Il y a plusieurs index dans ce livre. Index géographique. Index historique. Il faut chercher dans l’index. Il se dit particulièrement de la Table… …   Dictionnaire de l'Academie Francaise, 8eme edition (1935)

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  • index — I. noun (plural indexes or indices) Etymology: Latin indic , index, from indicare to indicate Date: 1561 1. a. a device (as the pointer on a scale or the gnomon of a sundial) that serves to indicate a value or quantity b. something (as a physical …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Index UV — L index UV (à ne pas confondre avec l indice UV) est le terme international qui exprime l’intensité du rayonnement ultraviolet. Sommaire 1 Fonctions 2 Variations 2.1 Période de l année 2.2 …   Wikipédia en Français

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