★ My

Encyclopedia › Markets ›

Stock indices

In one line: A single number that tracks a basket of stocks, like the S&P 500.

An index is like a class average: it shows how a group of stocks did, not one stock. Indices are not traded directly; people trade them through futures, ETFs or CFDsBetting on a price change without owning the asset..

CMEThe big Chicago futures exchange (also lists bitcoin futures). Group lists futures on the S&P 500An index of 500 large US companies. and Nasdaq-100, including smaller E-mini and Micro versions.

Related

Sources & studies

  1. Investor.gov (SEC): Market index
  2. CME Group: S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 futures

MarketsFuturesCFDs (contracts for difference)

Last checked: 2026-11-04 · Educational, not financial advice.

Education only, not financial advice. No signals. Backtests are hypothetical: real trading can be worse. Past results don't predict future results.