8.4.3 Other U.S. Stock Market Indexes

This section aims to provide an in-depth guide to several prominent U.S. stock market indexes. While this list isn’t exhaustive, it includes the most well-known indexes among investors and financial professionals. Numerous other U.S. indexes exist, each serving different analytical purposes. Let’s delve into the specifics of each index.

NYSE Composite Index

The NYSE Composite index is a market capitalization-index comprising all common equities listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Additionally, there are sector-specific indices for industrial, transportation, utility, and financial corporations.

Key Points:

• Market Capitalization: Measures the total market value of the listed companies.
• Sector Indices: Includes indices for industrial, transportation, utility, and financial corporations.

NYSE American Index

The NYSE American index is a market-weighted index based on all the stocks listed on the NYSE American exchange. This exchange is recognized for primarily listing small-cap companies.

Key Points:

• Small-Cap Focus: Mainly consists of smaller capitalization companies.
• Market-Weighted: The index weighting is determined by the market valuation of its constituents.

NASDAQ Composite Index

The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market-weighted index consisting of over 2,500 stocks traded over-the-counter. This index is notably dominated by smaller capitalization companies and constituting about 30% of the NYSE market capitalization.

Key Points:

• Market-Weighted: Weighted according to market value.
• Smaller Capitalization Firms: Primarily includes smaller cap companies.
• Significance: Represents about 30% of the NYSE market capitalization.

Value Line Composite Index

The Value Line Composite Index comprises approximately 1,600 stocks. This index is unique because it is calculated by taking an equal average of the daily percentage changes in each stock contained within the index, making it an equal-weighted index.

Key Points:

• Equal-Weighted: Every stock contributes equally to the index’s annual performance.
• Broad Barometer: Incorporates companies listed on NYSE, NASDAQ, NYSE American, and TSX.
• Developed By: Created by Wilshire Associates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why is the NYSE Composite index significant? The NYSE Composite includes all NYSE listings, making it a comprehensive indicator of the exchange’s overall performance.

2. How does the NASDAQ Composite index differ from other indexes? It has a higher concentration of technology and smaller cap stocks compared to others like the NYSE Composite.

3. What is a small-cap company? A small-cap company typically has a market capitalization ranging from $300 million to $2 billion.

Glossary and Definitions

• Market Capitalization: The total market value of a company’s outstanding shares.
• Market-Weighted Index: An index where each component’s impact is proportional to its market value.
• Equal-Weighted Index: An index where all components have equal weight regardless of their market cap.
• Small-Cap Company: A company with a relatively small market capitalization, generally between $300 million to $2 billion.

Key Takeaways

• The NYSE Composite index gives a comprehensive view of NYSE’s performance including sector-wise indices.
• The NYSE American index focuses primarily on small-cap companies, offering insights into this segment.
• The NASDAQ Composite Index is a significant measure that represents a considerable portion of the smaller cap companies.
• The Value Line Composite Index is an equal-weighted index providing a unique broad-spectrum view of U.S. markets.

Let’s focus more on these indexes for a better preparation for your upcoming Canadian Securities Course Certification Exam. Happy studying!